jdo1217
Forums Regular
I downloaded that book a couple weeks ago. I was introduced to Dr. Dunbar through a YouTube interview by Zak George, whose videos I have been watching. Guess I'll actually get reading now!
Crates
- Thread starter Cappuchino
- Start date
I downloaded that book a couple weeks ago. I was introduced to Dr. Dunbar through a YouTube interview by Zak George, whose videos I have been watching. Guess I'll actually get reading now!
mimiretz
Forums Enthusiast
I'll add that we have a doggie car seat for Oberon that buckles him in.
We have an almost 7 month old and we only use the crate at night. He loves it and goes in it willingly at bed time - it's his den and safe place. We don't crate while we're away during the day though - I think it's cruel to keep them in a small space like that for hours on end.
We block off our hallway with a baby gate and he stays there during the day with some toys and water. I come home at lunch to let him out for an hour, but this system's been working well for us. He doesn't have accidents anymore even with the larger space and waits for us to let him out.
We use a harness and seatbelt in the car simply because I don't have the room to always have the crate in the car - we have a toddler so with the stroller etc, all the room is taken up!
We block off our hallway with a baby gate and he stays there during the day with some toys and water. I come home at lunch to let him out for an hour, but this system's been working well for us. He doesn't have accidents anymore even with the larger space and waits for us to let him out.
We use a harness and seatbelt in the car simply because I don't have the room to always have the crate in the car - we have a toddler so with the stroller etc, all the room is taken up!
Cleo2014
Forums Enthusiast
Cleo is crate trained. She goes in her crate when I tell ask her too with no problem. We is also fed her in there. She is only in the crate when I go to work (7:45 - 1:15)and then is let out when get off at lunch. By then my husband is home from work and keeps her out. She sleeps on our bed so no crating at night. During the weekend she will be in there when we need to leave the house to go somewhere but we are never gone for long periods of time. And I usually try to take her with me if it is allowed!
But usually when I can't keep an eye on her, she is crated because she is known to get into trouble. When she is out of her crate, she is by my side 90% if the time. That 10% is when she is getting into trouble and I have to hunt her down.
I can't imagine what the house would look like if she was left out of her crate home alone. 
Also want to add that we have a play room for my two kids with no door. We have blocked that off with a permanent pet gate because she WILL chew up all of their toys.
But usually when I can't keep an eye on her, she is crated because she is known to get into trouble. When she is out of her crate, she is by my side 90% if the time. That 10% is when she is getting into trouble and I have to hunt her down. I can't imagine what the house would look like if she was left out of her crate home alone. Also want to add that we have a play room for my two kids with no door. We have blocked that off with a permanent pet gate because she WILL chew up all of their toys.
Jess041
Forums Enthusiast
I think teaching your dog to enjoy the crate and go into it without freaking out is very valuable, even if you don't end up crating your dog at all during the day. You never know if you're going to be in a situation where you need to keep your dog in a crate, and you don't want them panicking because this is something completely new to them.
For example, I live in an area where a hurricane evacuation could happen any time between the months of June through end of October. If I ever needed to evacuate up North and stay in a motel, or with a friend, there is a good chance my dog will need to be able to stay in a crate. Especially in a motel! And this has happened before. In 2005, right after Hurricane Katrina, Houstonians were very on edge about Hurricanes after seeing what happened to New Orleans. So we had Hurricane Rita coming our way, and everybody evacuated (and gridlocked all the freeways). My family went to Dallas and stayed with family. We brought both our dogs, and they had to be crated sometimes because there were other dogs and if we left, we weren't comfortable leaving them roaming an unfamiliar house.
So I think having a crate on hand, and teaching your dog to like the crate, is very important in case of emergencies.
For example, I live in an area where a hurricane evacuation could happen any time between the months of June through end of October. If I ever needed to evacuate up North and stay in a motel, or with a friend, there is a good chance my dog will need to be able to stay in a crate. Especially in a motel! And this has happened before. In 2005, right after Hurricane Katrina, Houstonians were very on edge about Hurricanes after seeing what happened to New Orleans. So we had Hurricane Rita coming our way, and everybody evacuated (and gridlocked all the freeways). My family went to Dallas and stayed with family. We brought both our dogs, and they had to be crated sometimes because there were other dogs and if we left, we weren't comfortable leaving them roaming an unfamiliar house.
So I think having a crate on hand, and teaching your dog to like the crate, is very important in case of emergencies.
Cappuchino
Forums Regular
Thanks
Thanks for all the reasons, I better start trying to find the highly valuable treat. Thank you so much Cara Sandler, that seems like a great idea.
Thanks for all the reasons, I better start trying to find the highly valuable treat. Thank you so much Cara Sandler, that seems like a great idea.
Cara Sandler
Forums Enthusiast
You're very welcome, hope it works out for you. I used fresh warm boiled chicken breast. Spirit LOVES boiled chicken!!!!!
Silaria
Forums Sage
High value pet treats are easy to come by. Many people use boiled chicken. I use hot dogs and string cheese. (I pick up chicken & pork hotdogs for $0.79 at Aldi super markets.)
Cleo2014
Forums Enthusiast
Haha! Me too. That is all I can train Cleo with. She hates treats made specifically for dogs.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Yes, yes and yes! Callan is over 18 months old now, and I still put him in an xpen during the day when I'm not home and at night.
Crate training is not cruel. But I recognize that if you have to be away for long periods of time, that it weighs on you. And that's where the xpen works. Keeps them safe and your house safe, but gives a little more mobility. The floor is simply those foam tiles that linked together like puzzles. Stops any wetness getting through and comfy lying space.
Having had a 2 year Sheltie chew my couch apart while I was work, I learned my lesson.
Callan was fully trained 12 months ago, but suddenly has lost his training, so its back to basics for him.
This is Callan's home.
http://www.sheltieforums.com/album.php?albumid=559&pictureid=6387
Crate training is not cruel. But I recognize that if you have to be away for long periods of time, that it weighs on you. And that's where the xpen works. Keeps them safe and your house safe, but gives a little more mobility. The floor is simply those foam tiles that linked together like puzzles. Stops any wetness getting through and comfy lying space.
Having had a 2 year Sheltie chew my couch apart while I was work, I learned my lesson.
Callan was fully trained 12 months ago, but suddenly has lost his training, so its back to basics for him.
This is Callan's home.
http://www.sheltieforums.com/album.php?albumid=559&pictureid=6387