Puppy training

pdxman · Dec 31, 2001

Need help. Our pup is 7 weeks old today. Our other dog was successfully housebroken using a dog crate (plastic box with cage door). She never had any problems being confined to the crate and was comfortable with it. Our new puppy thinks otherwise. As soon as she is confined to it, wants out. We've tried putting her in there after she falls asleep and she wakes up as soon as door closes. Tried leaving it open for her to 'exlpore' on her own, putting toys in there, hot water bottles, nope. Left the house a couple of times yesterday for 2 hours at a crack and locked her in it. Barking when I left...Still barking when I got back. She doesn't stop until let out. Trying hard not to make it so that she thinks that when she barks, she gets out. I want to fix this soon so we don't start any long term behavioral problems. Any ideas?

cowboydoc · Dec 31, 2001

pdxman,
I've had a couple dogs do this. Unfortunately there is no cure for it. They just have to get used to being alone. It's basically separation anxiety because they have been with their mom and brothers and sisters and now they are alone. Over time it will get better. I know it's a pain to hear them yelling like that but it does get better.

pdxman · Dec 31, 2001

Thanks. Since our other boxer has been 'mothering' the little one very well, our next experiment is to try to confine the two together. Of course, the kennel isn't big enough so we'll have to cordon off a safe part of the house.

Thomas · Dec 31, 2001

When my Shepard was a puppy he did the samething..howl..howl and howl even more.
In a way like cowboydoc said..brother and sister..I purchase a stuff almost look a like just a little bit bigger than him..and by darn it just about stop the howling for he came at ease.

Oh by the way..not to smart an try to break a shepard of his toys when you feel he to old for them./w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

DFB · Dec 31, 2001

Thomas, we did the same with our brittany when we first got her. A large stuffed animal.
She would sleep on it all nite.

When she got around 6mo old she chewed it up n' pulled all the stuffing out. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

DFB

JJT · Dec 31, 2001

2 ideas, 1) leave the radio on when you are gone, 2) wrap a wind up alarm clock in a towel and leave it in or close to the crate, (supposedly sounds like mom's heart beat). Been where you're at many times. Be persistent. Once she's housebroken and can be trusted you will not need the crate. How big is the crate? Too big is just as bad as too small.

cowboydoc · Dec 31, 2001

You're right on the size of the crate JJT. You want one that is just big enough for them to lay down in or block part of it off. They won't mess where they lay but they will mess if it is any bigger than that.

MReeter · Dec 31, 2001

We started Crate training our Sheppard as soon as we brought her home"eight weeks".At first we would put a Puppy treat in the back of the crate and encourage her to "Go to her House" The crate is always referred to as her "House" We would leave the door open and she would walk in the crate,get her treat and come back out.We did'nt try to close the door on her at first,just wanted her to get used to her House.In time she would start going in the crate when we would say "Lets go to your House" She had grown very fond of her House and would go in just to take a nap.She is 16 months old now and does'nt use the crate much anymore,she sleeps in a larger, more open pen,but I still tell her at bedtime that it's "Time to go to your House" and she runs right in,curls up and goes to sleep.

Joe_W · Dec 31, 2001

We had a Norwegan Elkhound puppy years ago, and I built a "cage" for her out of plywood (with plenty of ventalation holes). On the inside I nailed 3 sets of 1/2" (2 pieces side by side just a little wider than the thickness of the wood you're using) quarter round trim across from each other on the side walls. Then I cut a piece of plywood to slide down in the slots. As she grew I moved the panel to the next bigger slot. We kept her toys in the cavity on the other side of the moveable panel. Worked fine until she outgrew it, by then she was a pretty good dog. Unfortunatly she developed a brain tumor, seizures, and other problems and we had to have her put to sleep. I still miss her and it's been over 15 years ago.
Good Luck,
Joe W.

Wal · Jan 2, 2002

Thomas,

You are right on the money about a shepard and their toys /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Our shepard is about eight years old now, and has an extensive collection of toys she has gotten over the years. Most of them are "squeaky toys", which she just loves. Its kinda funny, she can destroy one of those very tough "nylabone" bones in short order, but she is very gentle and "loving" towards her squeaky toys. She still has every one we have ever gotten for her and they all still squeak!!! (She is kind of scared of Santa in the picture) /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jan 2, 2002

If I have a puppy that doesn't like the crate much, then I usually feed it there for a while. Puppy always gets a treat for going in the crate.

I use two crates for my current puppy. I have an airline crate in the foyer right by the kitchen, so puppy is not too isolated even if confined during the day. I keep a wire crate next to my bed for puppy to sleep in. Most puppies make noise for a while when first confined, but more than 15 minutes at bed time is ridiculous.

pdxman · Jan 2, 2002

Thanks all. The crate is for an adult size dog and we did block off part of it to make it more confined. I also had tried the alarm clock and hot water bottle. Although we would like to use the crate to assist with the potty training, the pup is doing fairly well so far without it. We've been doing the newspaper near the door trick and she is using it about 75% of the time which we feel is good at only 7 weeks old. We want her to use the crate at nightime and while we are away from the house so she doesn't have access to everything. She may have to get use to it pretty quick here because kid's are back in school today and there will be more time alone for her. Crossing my fingers this will work and help us sleep at night/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif .

shade2u2 · Jan 2, 2002

This is what happens when you don't use a crate...

shade2u2 · Jan 2, 2002

We're using a crate with this "Dude".

Thomas · Jan 2, 2002

I think your going to have your hands full w/this one. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

billboe · Jan 3, 2002

We're thinking about getting a puppy and bought a book for some guidelines... They suggest that you don't leave the dog alone for more than an hour or two when they are that young.

Good luck and enjoy your new addition to the family!