She chose the crate

[Zoe5]

Well...not knowingly! Zoe was kept in a crate until she was about 4 months old. Then we kept her in our master bathroom. Everything was great until about two weeks ago. She would scratch the door every now and then, but hey doors can be repainted...no bill deal. Then she decided to take a chunk out of the bottom. That wasn't good. So, we left her in the master bedroom thinking she would like more space or maybe she's bored in there. She did great for a day and a half. She decided to dig the carpet and eat the trim around the door. So, we thought lets shut off all the doors and leave her in the house. We were cautious to put things away so she wouldn't be tempted. She did great for about a week. I came home today and found destroyed DVDs. Not the cheap ones, oh no, I am talking box sets! Needless to say mommy wasn't happy! So, I bought a crate today!

I am so very sad. I talk to many dog owners that say their dog loves it and how it's the best thing for them, but I still feel bad. I feel like I am putting my child in a cage!

Please send me any advise or words of encouragement to help make this an easier transition for Zoe and I. Thank you.

Sad boxer Mommy in Dallas. :(

 

[Jan]

You are doing the right thing. You wouldn't want her chewing on an electrical cord and killing herself.:( Many dogs are quite happy in their crate. Just make it very comfortable for her and introduce it slowly.

Good luck!

 

[harlie'smom]

I crate mine during the day when im at work. I think its the best thing for them. They do get bored and they start tearing things up in the house and god forbid they get hurt. I really hope that one day mine will be free to rome the house during the day but til then its the crate. Dont feel bad, is really is the best thing for them.

 

[Mom2tyson]

I feel bad leaving Tyson in his crate all day too but if we didn't I know that my house would be destroyed not to mention the cat would probably beat the crap out of him all day. It is the safest place for them especially if they have a tendancy to get into things. Heaven forbid he were to get into something and get sick or even worse and you wouldn't know it till you got home. She will get used to it eventually, it might take some time but give her some safe toys in there and a big stuffed kong and that will make it better for her. I leave a radio on for him too so it's not so quiet all day. Good luck and just remember it's for Zoes safety.

 

[lancesMom]

I agree totally. If Lance is in his crate, I face it towards the T.V and turn on a channel like lifetime, where i know the shows have a lot of calm voices on. I put his blankie in there with him and a rubber toy or his cow's foot. Never put a stuffed animal in there with them though. That can lead to danger.
I have been told by many people that a dog will often feel more secure in his crate since if he has the run of the house, there is so much more to worry about all day long. I wish you the best and just try to look at it as him taking a time out for himself where he feels safe. You know how sometimes as people we like to just steal away in our room by ourself for a moment? well think of this as his own personal room where no people are allowed and then it seems more like a haven then a punishment.. he he That's what i try to tell myself anyway...ha ha ha

 

[LilygirlCO]

Lily was only a little destructive when she first hit adolensence and that's was it so we have never crated her. We're planning on crating the new puppy we get in two weeks because I guess he likes to take things and deem them as his,

 

[CondoPup]

Puppies are SO much more comfortable in a crate, set out in the living room or other open/public area of the house, than being shut in and isolated in a bathroom or bedroom. They want to look around and feel like they're part of the household, even if the rest of their pack is away at work. Can't say I blame her for trying to chew her way out of a bedroom or bathroom! Thank goodness she didn't get hurt. They really love the crates, it's a natural instinct to like their little dens. Lots of info on this forum on how to introduce the crate if you do a search, too. Don't think of her as human and being "caged" - think of her as an animal with a natural instinct to want safety of a "den" and you're just helping to provide that.

 

[jimmyjones]

Jimmy hated his crate at 10 weeks when we first got him, he howled constantly !! It was a living hell with oak floorboards throughout the whole house, great accoustics !! So I take out his blanket every day and place it near a warm radiator (such a nesh dog) then return it to the crate as I go to bed or go out. I save the best treats and chews to place in the crate only. I also sat in the crate with him a few times (this he liked lots !!!) and my daughter will often pass by the crate and drop a little toy or something in for him (3 yr old, thinks it's his postal address I think!). 4 weeks on and all of a sudden he gets up at bed time and takes himself off to his crate ! I still don't shut the door as he isn't chewing and has only really started using it comfortably in the last week, so I will introduce this in a few days.

A long process maybe, but cajoling him in there wasn't going to happen (stubborn boy) so I figured he needed to make the decision it rules in there, now it's his place, he goes there to rest, to watch, to sulk, to enjoy his favourite treats ......he goes willingly and whenever he feels he wants that time out. (Ps my cat also loves it in there ! They often share a bone in the crate ).

Good Luck

Jaycee x

 

[Zoe5]

Today was Zoe's first time in the crate. I was gone for about 4 hours. We turned the radio on, I put her rope in there, a bone, a towel (for a blanket) and gave her a treat.

Last night I worked with her on getting in there by leading her in there with a treat. I would shut the door and give her the treat through the top.

When I came home she had peed in her crate (I took her out and saw her pee before I left). But, that sneaky thing! She peed on the towel and she took the tray on the bottom of the crate and managed to push it out past the door so she could have a clean floor to lay on (I have part of the crate blocked off b/c it's a big crate).

When I let her out I welcomed her with a treat. I could tell she was asleep when I got there. But, when she came out of the crate she was shaking like crazy. She seemed scared. Like she thought I was never going to come home.

I saw in the post to put her in a big space like the living room. Right now she is in the master bedroom. I am a little concerned about leaving her in the living room b/c my cat may terrorize her. I would lock the cat up but she likes to scratch the carpet when she's locked up.

 

[Jill's boxer]

it'll be okay...

I didn't crate our first boxer, because I too mistakenly thought it was "mean"--wish I had and saved myself some trouble! We are crating Gracie and it is so much nicer to have the piece of mind that she is safe (and so if my house!) while we are gone! When she first realizes we are heading for the door (she goes into her crate willingly, and she knows her favorite toy and chewy bone are there for her) she lets out a cry, but as soon as the door closes, she stops (I know this for sure, I have stood outside the door waiting to hear her cry and she doesn't! thank god!). When I come home, I usually have to wake her up to come back out! We keep the crate in the living room by the sliding glass patio door while we are gone and she gets to listen to Sirius radio (I'm a sucker for bad soft pop hits/love songs from the 60-70s, so that's what she gets--its mellow and not too loud!). Zoe will get the hang of it, just be sure you always make it a positive experience--don't use the crate as punishment. Also, I try not to make too huge a fuss when I let Gracie out--I do praise her and give her a pet, but I think that if I make too much fuss, she will start to want out because it means attention--which could mke her resist being crated...does that make sense? Also, always be sure they have had a chance to "do their business" before crating, and immediately when you let them out!

another plus to crating--there will come a time when a crate or cage will be necessary: like at the vet or if you ever need to travel and/or fly her somewhere..its so much easier and less stressful if they are already comfortable with being crated.