Crate Problems

[dodgeandmar]

My mom's dog did this peeing in the crate when he was put in thing. It was like he was mad at her and that was his way of acting out. She let him sit in once, not all day mind you, but for like an hour and he stopped.

I agree about not making it a big deal. I would always just put mine in the crate, give them a bone, and leave. No talking to them while I was walking out. No fretting about it or apologizing (I know they don't know what the word means, but they pick up on your tone) to them.

Also, are you calm when you put him in? If you're nervous or feeling apprehensive he may be picking up on that.

 

[JLinz]

I dont make a big deal when leaving and coming home. Generally its hi and bye...So far he has been with me just about everyday...he will generally come to work with me and sleep next to my desk and I have to get up and take him out every hour or 2 so he can relieve himself.

Its great that I have enough freedom at work where my boss doesnt care that I have a dog in my office, however this isnt going to be realistic forever...I need to work, I need my job...I need him to be comfortable in his crate and happy...I dont want him to become angry, i dont want him to cry and carry on for 1-3 hours when I cannot simply be with him.

I love my dog...I love him around and if I had it my way he'd come to work everyday with me. However this is what I must do...I mean i know plenty of couples who both work and get a puppy and it spends everyday in the crate...When they get home...It comes out and lives its life for a few hours and then back to bed...

In the past few days Ive noticed his bladder control being much better. He now eliminates outside a considerable amount each time. He was almost spritzing inside when he was having his accidents.

 

[dodgeandmar]

I dont make a big deal when leaving and coming home. Generally its hi and bye...So far he has been with me just about everyday...he will generally come to work with me and sleep next to my desk and I have to get up and take him out every hour or 2 so he can relieve himself.

Its great that I have enough freedom at work where my boss doesnt care that I have a dog in my office, however this isnt going to be realistic forever...I need to work, I need my job...I need him to be comfortable in his crate and happy...I dont want him to become angry, i dont want him to cry and carry on for 1-3 hours when I cannot simply be with him.

I love my dog...I love him around and if I had it my way he'd come to work everyday with me. However this is what I must do...I mean i know plenty of couples who both work and get a puppy and it spends everyday in the crate...When they get home...It comes out and lives its life for a few hours and then back to bed...

In the past few days Ive noticed his bladder control being much better. He now eliminates outside a considerable amount each time. He was almost spritzing inside when he was having his accidents.

He will learn to be happy in his crate if you are consistent. Something that helped with my girl (Dodger never once protested about being put in his crate, but he's a freak) was if I put the shirt that I slept in the night before in the crate with her.

Maybe you could get him used to it slowly. Like take him for a walk before work then put him in it until lunch. Come home, short walk, then take him back to work with you for the afternoon. Then like after 2 weeks or so you could try putting him back in every other day and taking him to work with you on the other ones. And then just occasionally take him to work with you. I promise you he won't spend the entire day barking and being miserable. You could also try putting him near a window or turning on the tv, simply so he won't feel trapped in or alone. Those are just my suggestions. Let us know how it goes!

 

[JLinz]

Again i need to emphasize its usually about 10degrees outside when we wake up... Hes not real keen on going outside...Although tonight was the 1st time he walked out onto the porch without me carrying him...

 

[Davedbd]

You need to get him into liking his crate. They will eventually learn to love the crate and use it as their refuge and sanctuary. I started Tiara off the 1st day home very slowly enticing her into the crate with toys and food. After about 20 min, I would close the door while still staying by her and soothing her until she relaxed. Than I opened it and she came out for a pee break. I did this off and on the 1st few days until she just learned to except it.
Now at 10 weeks, I can leave the house while she is full awake in the crate and know she isn't freaking out. I only do this for 3 hours tops right now. But I will gradually increase the time she can stay alone more and more.
During the day now I put her in the crate only if I cannot watch her (cooking, sleeping etc.), otherwise she can roam freely in two gated tiled rooms. I put a day bed out and she naps, drinks and comes and goes within those two rooms. Night-time is lock-down time.
My wife used to put our used socks in the crate in the beginning and that helped. We put peanut butter in a Kong, freeze it and put that in there when she seems too fussy. I think most puppies do not want to be alone especially Boxers who are sometimes refereed to as Velcro dogs. They like to be with us. You could also put the keys in the door 15 min prior to leaving, try to keep him thinking you are not leaving right than. Walk in and out a few times. He will see you go and than see you come back. This will eventually instill in him that just because you leave, you will always return. If you have and raised children its the exact same thing I tell ya...LOL!!

 

[Davedbd]

Ok, I see your point. But every dog I have had loved the crate and all my friends (except one) say nothing but good things about the crate. I'm not saying anything is 100% foolproof, but I think with the proper introduction and use the crate can be a great and safe tool. Being locked up for 6-8 hours a day in a crate I guess is not the most appealing thing for a dog, especially those who need to frolic and play.
It's just something that will be different for each dog and environment. But I will bet the amount of dogs who like their crate far outweighs those who do not????
Just my opinion though as I am not an expert, only someone who loves his dog and wishes nothing but happiness to everyone!
Merry Christmas

 

[JLinz]

Just wanted to add a little update on the situation...Baxter has been doing well with the crate, however I havent yet left him for too extended of a time. Hes 11 weeks old today and is starting to get the hang of things, but we are still having the occasional housebreaking mishaps and it generally is happening right as I am getting ready to take him out...

I got a divider for the wire crate...This is where he sleeps at night next to my bed. I sectioned off probaly 1/3 of that crate and it is now just big enough for his bed. He has plenty of room and we havent had a crate mishap since I originally posted.

As for crating during the day, I found that in a plastic crate he calms down a little faster and he settles...Therefore we got him into a Medium plastic crate and he has been doing well in there. His cries only last maybe 5-10min then he settles down and falls asleep. I also take this crate with me in the truck so I dont have him bounding all over me as I try to drive...He does the same in the truck and cries for a bit then falls asleep...

He is making strides in the right direction I feel for an 11 week old pup...He likes to nap...loves to eat...He knows Sit, Shake, and Down...Once we get this potty/crate training out of the way we will have to work on the lead training and Im going to have a wonderful dog...Thats what I keep telling myself...