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Starting to crate 1 1/2 year old

Posted : 7/9/2006 2:47:38 PM

Because we have had some major dominance / aggression issues with our 1 1/2 year old Male Yorkie-Poo, we are starting to Crate him. We bought his crate yesterday and, as it instructed, just let him get used to it. It said to not force him in it right away, but to gradually get him used to it over a couple of days. So, we threw some toys in there and he went in to investigate, then came back out. After a little while, we threw some treats in there and once he was in, closed the door. He didn't cry to get out, so we left it closed for about 1 min. then let him out again. After doing this a couple of times we decided that was good progress and left it open so he could go in if he wanted to.

When we went to bed last night as usual Duke, our dog, jumped up on the bed to go to sleep with us. We told him "off", he left with a growl. We had to do this a few more times, but finally he got that he wasn't welcomed on the bed and left us alone and went to sleep on the floor. In the middle of the night we got up and looked and he was sleeping in his crate!!!! All on his own!

My question is, if he is going into his crate on his own, is there any need to lock him up? We are not using it to house train, so him going to the bathroom isn't an issue. The only reason why we are using it is for the dominance issues.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Xeph

Posted : 7/9/2006 11:11:31 PM

Use use use the crate crate crate! When you're gone, he's crated. During the day there's no reason to crate him up if you're there. Same at night if you're there, unless he's inviting himself up on the bed. In that case, you lock him in the kennel and let him out for potties in the morning.

Strauss loves his crate ^_^ It's his safe spot. He has access to it all day at any time during the day when I am home with him and he's wandering. If he's tired, he goes to his crate, if he's hungry, he goes to his crate, if he just wants to lay and relax (dogs like lounge time too xD) he goes to his crate. Wants to chew a bone in peace? Where does he go? *Cheers* C-R-A-T-E!! Gooooooo CRATE! xD

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/9/2006 11:16:06 PM

Emma went into her crate last night, when she decided to growl her head off, at Teenie, for being on "her" bed. I told her, "This is not your bed, I'll gladly escort you to yours!" and off she went.

I'd get Daisy a crate, too, and not allow her to go into Duke's crate, or he into hers. It's their own space. They can eat in their crates, chew on toys in their crates, nap in their crates, etc. They'll be MUCH safer if they're crated while you're not home, and won't get into nearly as much trouble.

Caprice Christian

Posted : 7/10/2006 12:12:32 AM

Thanks,

Daisy is crated, we have crated her since we got her, and she loves it!

Duke never gets into any trouble when we are not home. He doesn't go potty when we are not home, he doesn't chew anything, he just sleeps.

My question is, for aggression reasons only, should I be locking him in his crate? Or will it make a difference just him having his own spot (the crate) and us not allowing him on the bed anymore? I don't really like the idea of him being locked in the crate all day when I am not here, as he has never given me a reason to do so. But that being said, if it would help the aggression issues, I will do it.

Xeph

Posted : 7/10/2006 2:06:47 AM

IMO, well behaved or not, aggression issues are plenty of reason to crate a dog during the day. You need to level the playing field. No favoritism in terms of training etc. If Daisy is crated, Duke should be too.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/10/2006 10:22:18 AM

It doesn't matter if he gets into trouble. What if your house catches on fire? How will you find Duke if he isn't safely contained? Most dogs hide in the case of an emergency. Emergency workers WILL remove crated animals, but most often won't even see lose animals.