So disappointed - am I expecting too much?

[KonaKoffe]

Just be patient. It will come with time. Like I said - it took 1 dog 2 yrs and the other 3 yrs before they could be trusted. You will probably loose stuff in the process. Once the novelty and anxiety of being out of the crate with no one around goes away Greta will settle down. Right now she has the child like defiant mentality.

Don't feel quility about the crate. It is a safe place where she can't get into things that can harm her while you are gone.

Like "baby proofing "for babies you need to "dog proof" your home. Look at your condo from her point of view and dog proof it!!

 

[Steph K]

Just wanted to let you know, I'v had Alli since 8wks old, she's now 4. She is still crated during the day when we're at work. We've tried on several occasions to leave her out but come home to a complete mess. She had chewed several sets of window blinds (even metal ones), the wooden ledge of the window, shoes, and countless other things we thought were out of her reach. We are able to leave her out and alone for about 30 minutes max before she starts a chewing frenzy. She doesn't mind her crate and gets plenty of sleep so she's a live wire when we get home. You shouldn't feel bad about crating, I feel like my Alli is safer when crated.
Good luck!!
Steph K

 

[wnt2adpt]

I just HAD to tell you all about this!!

This weekend, as usual, we were at Austin's house. We went out for a while Saturday night (4:00pm-1:00am). We left her out with FREE ROAM of Austin's house. He was totally confident that she wouldn't touch anything. Guess what happened?? SHE DIDN'T!! She was so good I couldn't believe it! She's by herself again today. We'll see how long that good streak lasts. Daddy's pretty confident so hopefully is bubble won't burst when he returns home to his little girl!!

You will probably loose stuff in the process

You got that right! I've already lost plenty!!

Like "baby proofing "for babies you need to "dog proof" your home. Look at your condo from her point of view and dog proof it!!

I'm not quite sure what else to take up. I have removed the tasty candles she got hold of - LOL! So now there's NOTHING on the coffee table, nothing on any of the end tables (except a lamp), nothing on the floor. I don't know what else I can do! At Austin's house, he's got crap all over & she doesn't touch any of it. I'm kind of at a loss here. If she's good today, he wants to keep letting her stay out at his house. If she's been bad though, you know where she'll be tomorrow!! IN HER CRATE!

 

[CC]

It's quite amazing how much havoc Diesel can wreak, even if I leave him loose for only 15 minutes or so. The last time I tried to run to the grocery store for a few items and didn't want to bother crating him, he got into the garbage and spread it all over the living room, ate two shoes (NOT mates, of course, he wrecked two pair), peed in the living room (after having just been outside before I left), pulled everything off my dining room table and my pantry, and ate some mail. And apparently Indy just sat there and watched the whole escapade...she was in the exact spot she was in when I left her.

I really do wish he'd grow out of this puppy stuff, but we still have potty struggles sometimes. It's like if he doesn't get his way, he just goes and gets revenge!

 

[Putermom]

Otis is 3 weeks from turning 2 years old and is now BACK in the crate after he decided that the couch is something he can eat. He had been sooooo good for the last 3 months but now...he's back in until we can trust him again. I've heard some Boxers don't mature (if you can call it that ) until they are over 3 years old. Good Luck! Sending lots of Boxer patience to you!!

 

[wnt2adpt]

Wish me luck everyone ~ I'm going to find out in about an hour whether or not Greta was a good girl today!!!

 

[CC]

Oh Greta, please behave!!

 

[K8IE]

Can't wait to hear how she did. Here's hoping that your house (and Greta) are in one piece when you get home.

 

[wnt2adpt]

SHOCKER!!! She was good AGAIN at daddy's!! Woohoo!!

I told him that she might have a 'relapse' of sorts after a week or two. She was an angel at my house for about a week (when we first got her) and then the destruction began!

We praised her INSANELY for being so good! She's at daddy's again today - we'll see what happens!!

Thanks for the good words everyone!