introducing boxer to crate

[KenyasMommy]

Not real sure about crate training the new one and the others in the home.

I have been going back and forth on crate training, here is my situation, please let me know what you think. We have a 12 year old American Staff, a 6 year old Pit bull and now a 10.5 week old boxer. Our older dogs have never been in a crate so I am not real sure how they would react to one now, I have been thinking that it would be nice to train Kenya to be in a crate but I dont want her to feel as if we are seperating everyone at bed time or when we leave. I also like the feeling of having the dogs to help alert and protect my family if the need ever arrises. I dont mean like "guard dogs" but what comes natural in protecting and if they are in a crate how can they protect? Has anyone else felt like this, are there others who are not real sure about crates?

 

[shadowlk]

KenyasMommy - I know what youre feeling in regards to treating all your dogs the same. When I got layla at 8 weeks old, I had to figure out the best way for her and Missie (11 years old) to get along and live together. The fact of the matter is, the 10.5 week old is still a baby and therefore needs to be treated as such. You don't need to crate train her whole life but for the first few months it is one of the most effective and beneficial (both to you and the puppy) forms of training you can engage in. First of all it encourages routine, which all dogs need. It helps you be in control over where she urinates and such since they will avoid doing so in their sleeping area. It communicates to her that she can't just go and do as she pleases. That means you decide when its lunch time, pee time, and even sleep time.

I myself would keep the young one on her routine and crate training. She will whine but you should be ignoring that to communicate that whining doesn't produce results.

To wrap it up, sure she might feel separated for certain moments of the day when shes in her crate, but other times she can be part of their daily activities like walking playing and trips. I've put Layla on this routine for about 3 months now and she is doing better than ever and I can't remember the last time she had an accident in the house. Oh and shes happy as can be too. Good luck =)