Crate or no crate Why it makes a difference?

[PINNED]

I have a question.

I don't use a crate, and I am not asking the regular questions about crates or how to get pup to be safe, etc.

My question is. I have a fairly sized room, with a big bed, couch, TV/stand, And a little table. I leave my room door open, I have a hallway to the stairs, And a door to the front deck with wind wings (which open). I have placed a baby gate up in the hallway to keep the dog from being able to roam the house she just gets full roam of my room, half hallway, And the deck (I have made a spot for her to do her business).

Now on to the question, how can I get her used to staying a lone in this area without whining every time I leave her? I put her to sleep before I leave, and she'll sleep sometimes the whole time i'm gone, sometimes I’ll come home to her being okay, others she'll be crying. I’m wondering is there a way to train her to get used to these living spaces, and somehow to make her not feel so lonely? Any advice is great. Thanks!

Josh & Jersey girl.

 

[gmacleod]

It might not be a crate - but its pretty much the same principle. She's a baby still and is going to complain about being left alone. Actually, its quite reasonable! You'd probably do the same.

To combat it and teach her to be quiet, the principle's the same as with a crate, you need to wait until she's quiet before you let her out, or go play with her. Otherwise, she'll learn that barking or whining or whatever brings you running.

How about leaving her with something to do? Like a kong filled with something yummy (possibly frozen peanut butter) - but basically something that'll keep her amused trying to get the goodies out. Seems to work for many people.

 

[PINNED]

Thanks for the response.

I do have a kong, And since she is so young ( 8 weeks ), I was unsure if she was able to have a fill kong or not? It's just hard, I am home a lot, but I am trying to leave her a lone even when I am home so she will not be so attached to me and be unable to be a lone. I totally agree she is still young, and I would be the same. I am just looking for some information on how to start working on it so it will not grow into a problem. She does not whine if I am in the room with her, or around her. but if im on the otherside of the gate not paying attention she will start to cry. tonight as a matter of fact she started doing it while I was picking some things up on the otherside of the gate, and she started whining, I went over to her said in a firm voice go lay down and pointed to my room, and it took me about 2 - 3 times and she did, but she would then come back out seconds later, I repeated this 3x times. I then came into my room leaving her on the floor while she whined to come onto my bed. she will stand up and put her paws on the side and whine. I would take her off and say quite with my finger in front of my mouth (so she will learn finger commands), she would settle down for a momment or two then start over, I repeated this several times, still same outcome. she finally layed down a few times for a minute or two then would start up again. I look at her after about 20 or so minutes of this and said sit, she sat. said lie down (about 3 times) she finally layed down. she was then calm, and not crying I picker her up and put her on my bed, and she went to sleep and has been snoring ever since. Am I doing okay? Am I doing something wrong, or could I make changes to how I am doing this. Anything information is good.

Thanks in advance!

Josh & Jersey girl.

 

[gmacleod]

I would think a kong is fine - just watch the fillings. Peanut butter, for example, is nearly 50% fat - so you don't want her having too much (but its kind of useful for plugging the ends with, ). Just try to get a reasonable amount of healthy stuff in there - maybe you could make your own liver treats, or something, in the microwave and fill it with those.

As for what you're doing when she whines - I think you'd be better off ignoring her until she's quiet - *then* give her attention, praise, games. I know she's only a baby, but she's a baby with an amazing capacity to learn. Even telling her 'quiet' is attention - so you might just find that she learns that whining gets her attention (even if its not quite the sort she was aiming for). If you completely ignore the whining and begging, she'll soon give it up because it doesn't work. A little bit later, she'll discover that being quiet does :D

 

[luvfritz]

Josh - just wanted to share with you - I did the same thing with Fritzi when I went out. When she was about 4 months I came home and found she jumped the baby gate :eek: and was running through the house gleefully After that she's had the run of the house....so the baby gate only lasts a little while! They need to make a baby gate for bigger babies

Barb

 

[ttoad]

I have to agree! If you give her negative attention when she whines, its still attention. We broke Rocky of whining by simply ignoring him until he was behaving. He quickly learned that to get time with us he had to earn it!

 

[PINNED]

Thanks for the feedback.


Regarding the post of the baby gates dont last long, I don't mind if my fur baby has full-run of the house as long as she does not have accidents each time. so when she does be come to big for the baby gate its going to be put up, and she'll have what shes always wanted i guess.

I will try ignoring her all together.


Today I am leaving for a little while to my nephews baseball game (which lasts for about 2 hours), I am going to try the kong fill it with some little treats, and penut butter and freeze it.

I guess thats all I can do for now, thanks very much.

 

[niteworm]

What is a Kong?

I've never heard of it and sounds like something sabastian might like while were gone and not concentrate on escaping from the back yard. Please tell me what it is exactly and where I can get one. Thanks!

 

[PINNED]

Re: What is a Kong?

Originally posted by niteworm
I've never heard of it and sounds like something sabastian might like while were gone and not concentrate on escaping from the back yard. Please tell me what it is exactly and where I can get one. Thanks!

Kong's are very good for your boxer. I have provided a link below to petsmart, And you'll see all sorts of them You can fill them with peanut butter and freeze it and the dog licks inside of it for a long time keeps there attention for a while. Enjoy!

http://www.petsmart.com/servlet/pet...Page=20&Product_Name_str1=Kong&go.x=7&go.y=10

 

[niteworm]

Thank you! They look quite interesting. I'll check them out also at my local petsmart.