A few issues

[Dufess]

We have a new boxer, about a year old. During the night he sleeps in our bedroom. No problem. But during the day we put him in a crate. Which he is tearing apart piece by piece. Apparently he barks and tries to escape. The cages door shows wear and tear that he is trying to get out. How do I keep him calm in the cage during the day? I throw in a few toys and a treat. But he just doesn't like it. He never goes potty in it just chews on it. Can I trust him outside the cage during the day. Would a muzzle keep him from being destructive in the cage?
Any advice would be great.

 

[Sansal]

Definitely DO NOT muzzle your dog while you are gone. A muzzle should only be used when absolutely necessary and only for brief amounts of time. NEVER use a muzzle when your dog has to be crated. He won't be able to get enough fluids and pant properly and might suffer a heat stroke. A muzzle might also cause reactions such as fear, aggression and panic, I don't even want to think about a dog in a crate having a reaction like that.
Can you trust him outside the crate when you are gone? Well, only you would know. You could try leaving him out for short periods of time while you are gone and see how he does. Start with 20-30 minutes and then slowly increase the time. Leave a stuffed Kong or something else for him to chew.
When I got my dog Happy I used to leave her in the bathroom while I was gone. I put 2 baby gates stacked up on each other in the door way so she wouldn't feel "locked out" behind a closed door. It worked well for her. Is there a way you could leave your dog in the bathroom/kittchen or any other room that you can "dog proof" until you know that you can trust him?

 

[samsons]

Definitely DO NOT muzzle your dog while you are gone. A muzzle should only be used when absolutely necessary and only for brief amounts of time. NEVER use a muzzle when your dog has to be crated. He won't be able to get enough fluids and pant properly and might suffer a heat stroke. A muzzle might also cause reactions such as fear, aggression and panic, I don't even want to think about a dog in a crate having a reaction like that.
Can you trust him outside the crate when you are gone? Well, only you would know. You could try leaving him out for short periods of time while you are gone and see how he does. Start with 20-30 minutes and then slowly increase the time. Leave a stuffed Kong or something else for him to chew.
When I got my dog Happy I used to leave her in the bathroom while I was gone. I put 2 baby gates stacked up on each other in the door way so she wouldn't feel "locked out" behind a closed door. It worked well for her. Is there a way you could leave your dog in the bathroom/kittchen or any other room that you can "dog proof" until you know that you can trust him?

excellent advice ~ !!

def dont muzzel him in a crate!!!!!


try leaving him alone for short periods and go from there ... when we first rescued sam , i didnt have a crate for him ( he was supposed to come with one ) so on monday had to go to work ... just shut all the bedroom doors and bath .. ( rest of house is hardwood ) and hoped for the best .. came home at lunch and he was happily sleeping on the couch . that was almost a year ago .. no problems so far.

so just see what ur boy is capable of ... he just might surprise u !

good luck , & keep us posted

 

[djheitz]

Have you made the crate a 'happy place' for your dog or does he only go in when you have to leave the house? Ideally, you want the crate to be his place to go whenever he just wants to chill or nap. If he hates it (which it sound like he does), you're going to have to put a lot of effort into making it better. Feed him all of his meals in the crate. Keep special treats and toys that he can only have when in the crate. Keep the door open while you are home and toss a treat in there from time to time so he starts to associate the crate with good things. Lots and lots of praise when he finally does go in on his own. Be patient and don't force him in. If you can, use a dog-proofed area as suggested while you are acclimating him to the crate.

It may work, but it may not. My female was never able to be crated and even now at age 10, she hates being on the wrong side of a closed door (my woodwork shows the proof of that ).

 

[ericamichele]

Can you trust him outside the crate when you are gone? Well, only you would know. You could try leaving him out for short periods of time while you are gone and see how he does. Start with 20-30 minutes and then slowly increase the time. Leave a stuffed Kong or something else for him to chew.
?

I second this! We got Willie very unexpectedly on a Sunday, and both had to go to work the next day (I know, poor guy being alone in a new house!) We left him the garage the first day-one puddle, and that's it. The second day, he got free rein of the house and....no problems! I was shocked, because he had been crated all day, every day at his old house. Give him a chance, he might surprise you. I have no advice on the crate, though, because we just don't use one with Willie.