I agree. A crate can be abused or it can be a nice little den where a dog feels safe.
I don’t use them except for traveling, for safety. I do have one in the house and I leave the door open all the time. They do go in there by themselves, sometimes, when they need “alone” time – I know that sounds crazy but they do!
I used to have a Bichon would get in a state of barking and barking but if I put him in his crate he would immediately curl up and go to sleep. It was like he knew he was “off duty” when in the crate.
I have a Yorkie who is “reactive” and barks at other dogs. I’ve found the book, “Control Unleashed” to be very helpful.
It’s here:
http://controlunleashed.net/book.html
From: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Johnny Ortez
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 7:00 AM
To: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: <Dachsie World> Hello
Crate training is a good thing. If done properly a dachshund will love his crate. Rufus (7), Milo (11 months) – and eventually Emily (11 weeks), all love their crate.
We travel extensively and Rufus has been all over the country. He is bag trained (dog carrier) and crate trained. Crate training is often used when potty training (as Jim referred to below). However, is intended to be much more than a potty training tool.
Yes. Doxies (like most dogs in general) are “DEN” animals and find a crate with a sheet on it very appealing. Our crates are left around the house open all day and MANY times throughout the day, the doxies go in there on their own accord to play, relax or just get away from it. It’s their own little private, portable den – or condo as we affectionately refer to it.
As the human you have to ensure your doxie has many positive associations with the crate. Yes, it can be a place for a “time out” when bad behavior occurs, but it can also be a safe haven for them and you. For example, with three doxies they aren’t allowed bully sticks, pig ears or other fun chew things very often. However, as a treat, one doxie will be placed in the crate with a chew stick and allowed to enjoy it – comfortably without the risk of a fight with one of the others. ;-)
Since my situation includes a 11 week old rescue puppy, she is NOT allowed to “FREE ROAM” the house until trust is fully established and she is potty trained completely. So she is always in my immediate line of sight (on a leash or in my lap) or in the crate. I work from home so… I’m here all day most days. Emily is generally placed in the crate when I’m showering or cooking, and I often put the crate in the restroom with me or kitchen. I also frequently put Milo in there with her and they never cry or protest. They will often play or just sleep like doxies do. ;-)
I don’t encourage people to leave their doxies in a crate for longer than 5-8 hours at a time, but… if they have a positive association with the crate, they often won’t mind (really). AND you get peace of mind knowing they’re safe. Being left alone in a house to free roam can be dangerous. Rufus is left to out and free, but he has earned that right. Milo at 11 months was left in his crate when we left the house until recently. He just recently proved trustworthy – by not chewing up furniture, going potty inside or getting into other mischief.
A crate is meant to be another safe harbor for the dachshund to enjoy. When we travel and stay at hotels, and have to step out for a few hours, instead of leaving Rufus out and risk a housekeeper or someone coming in unexpectedly and possibly letting him out of the room, he is left in his crate and I’m able to enjoy my time away knowing he is safely confined in a place he likes and fines familiar.
I also make the crates comfortable with a few old blankets or a couple of old clothes for burrowing.
Crate training is not necessarily an imperative skill for every doxie, but I do believe the more versatile the better. Rufus is okay to be left in his crate or not. He easily rides in his bags back and forth from LA to NY, LA to Chicago, etc. But all of that came from hours of training from me and it all started with a crate and then graduated to a bag, etc.
Food for thought.
The best thing for Nikko’s lunging and barking at EVERYTHING is just consistent exposure to everything. The more he experiences and the more he sees that the “car speeding by” or the “person passing by” won’t attack or hurt him, he’ll calm down – but you it will take time and consistent exposure. The worse thing is to keep him locked up in your private home. When he starts to attack or lunge, you need to correct him and put him in a sit. Make eye contact with him and help him return to a state of calmness before resuming your walk. Carry treats with you and practice your sit command at home before the walks.
A real trainer won’t be “scared” of an aggressive dog, but will be able to empower you with tips on how to handle and address his issues. But not all trainers are alike and you have to do your homework. Some naturally aren’t worth the money, while others are worth it and then some!!
Training your dog to sit, stay, come when call and “OFF” – the fundamentals, is great because it gives you a line of communication. So when you’re out in public and you need him to do something, you have an established vocabulary.
Rufus walks wonderful well on a leash and is well behaved in public. Milo at 11 months is a work in progress and on our weekly hikes also lunges and barks at everything. Not out of fear though, but more out of excitement and curiosity. We were a little relaxed on his daily walks (unlike Rufus, who at the same age was walked regularly and frequently in those early formative months) and now are having to pay the price. We won’t make the same mistake with Emily and start our neighborhood walks and exposure to the world on Monday (now that she got her second round of vaccinations on Friday).
Lots of short, sweet and successful walks are better than longer ones – to start. Just a good 10-15 minute walk, with exposure to the varied sounds and smells of the city help a doxie in their socialization greatly. After the walks, then come dog parks, hikes, beaches, lunch at cafes, etc. – until your doxie has experienced it all and can safely be anywhere and everywhere. It’s all possible, if you’re willing to do the work. It won’t happen overnight, but it can happen.
And remember a TIRED a doxie is a good doxie. A bored, under exercised, non-stimulated doxie is often a mischievous or scared one.
Just my two cents, but hopefully you can do your own research and find what works for you and yours.
Keep us posted on your progress and good luck. Just remember to never give up!
Johnny et al.
From: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of JimC
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 6:41 AM
To: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: <Dachsie World> Hello
I am pretty much against crating. I put myself in the dogs place and think would I want to be stuck in a small wire cage all day? No. I used a crate with my other dachshund Anna when she was a puppy. She was horrible to potty train, and I had nicknamed her the princess of pee and the duchess of poo. Once she was trained I got rid of the crate.
From: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of TJ
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2012 12:21 AM
To: Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: <Dachsie World> Hello
I've always been told to NOT use a crate as a punishment tool. The dog will associate the crate with 'bad' things and not want to go in it....
tammy
--- In Dachsie_World@yahoogroups.com, "Susan Huffaker" <susanhuffaker@...> wrote:
>
> Have you tried putting him in a crate when he barks? Maybe if you put a
> blanket over the crate he would calm down?
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