Crating a puppy
Part of the issue is that I think crates are a waste of money unless you plan on using them when the dog gets older. If the dog is going to use the crate as it's den then I can see it. But if you are going to use it for a few months until the dog is trained then why waste the money on two large crates that you will never use again. Thoughts? |
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What's Pack 'n' Play? Sorry to sound stupid but I don't have kids 
Getting a crate was the best thing I ever did for my puppy. I strongly suggest 2 crates for your puppies, especially if they are both OES. We got the 42" for our puppy- don't forget they will be almost full size by 8-9 months, that time flies by! Puppy teeth are like pins, really really sharp & will chew through virtually anything so I would be reluctant to use anything other than purpose built dog products. There are people here who don't crate but having an area that is undamage-able to put them in is essential especially if you are going out even if it's only half an hour. My puppy ate the floor in the 30 minutes I was out- and he had never done anything like that in 9 months- you can never tell what is going to happen! I thought the room was safe for him, hard floor & barely any furniture. They can easily chew through walls too.... am I giving you the idea yet? Lol. Crating is for the puppy's safety too. And these guys are puppies for a few years.. by which time they are huge but still acting like a puppy! Have a read of all the posts here- there is alot to get through but you will get lots of help & advice so don't worry. Oh and CONGRATULATIONS!! I bet you can't wait |
| Pack'n Plays are small portable cribs. They fold down for storage and transport. |
| crates are the best investment you can make. and make sure you get two and keep the puppies seperate. I raised two pupppies that were 6 weeks apart and they always had their own crates and spaces. they are best friends but NOT bonded to each other in the way people fear puppies raised together are. |
| Something like this?
http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/produc ... subCatId=5 They'll chew right through the netting and possibly ingest it (you don't want to loose a pup or have a vet bill for intestinal obstruction- http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm ... icleid=285 ). These are not appropriate for puppies. My special pup was kept in a playpen because she was so much smaller http://oesusa.com/Kaytee/Group.jpg ... I was told the other puppies in the litter, before 8 weeks of age, had chewed through it trying to play with her. Quote: Part of the issue is that I think crates are a waste of money unless you plan on using them when the dog gets older. Don't think of it as a waste of money... think of two crates as proper tools to successfully raise two puppies and a place to keep them safe when you're unable to supervise them. We always crate pups until they're 6 months of age... by this time they have learned house manners because they've been properly supervised while out of the crate. They have to make mistakes so you can correct them... it's the only way they learn what's acceptable behavior and what isn't. Crate them individually. Do NOT be tempted to keep them crated in one crate to save money. If you're getting two at one time, be sure you separate them frequently so they will grow to be confident adults and not reliant on each other. This will also help them bond with you. Quote: I raised two pupppies that were 6 weeks apart and they always had their own crates and spaces. they are best friends but NOT bonded to each other in the way people fear puppies raised together are.
Our "twins" bonded well with us because we spent so much time with them... 16+ hours a day because we work at home. The first night or two home I always sleep with a pup on the floor (no crates yet) ... it's part of our bonding ritual. The twins were crated at night (and whenever we couldn't properly supervise them- for safety) and we would frequently separate them for training and outings. You'll find that when working with them together, they play off each others actions and emotions... if one decides to be rotten, the other will too.  And begin "play" training from day one. You can teach a 9 week old pup to sit in just a matter of a few days... they're little sponges! This is a 9+ week blind pup just a few days after arriving- http://www.oesusa.com/KayteeSit.html
It takes a lot of work to grow two at the same time into well adjusted adults. But it's so much fun. Just be very careful of the pitfalls and seek professional help early (from a trainer or behaviorist) if you have any problems.
Good luck to you! |
| We've found crates are great for our dogs ( a sheepie cross and 3 westies ) they use them as beds even when we're at home , I just leave the doors open during the day and then just close them in at night and when we go out , I'd recommend them .
Julie x |
kerry wrote: crates are the best investment you can make. and make sure you get two and keep the puppies seperate. I raised two pupppies that were 6 weeks apart and they always had their own crates and spaces. they are best friends but NOT bonded to each other in the way people fear puppies raised together are.
But Kerry, like Jaci, you RAISED your puppies that way and you both are more dog savvy than most. Most people use two puppies like pacifiers for each other thinking it's less work for them that way, when it's actually more. Like you both point out, if someone's going to to go that route, they need to separate, separate, separate. And hope they can squeeze an extra few hours out of the day. There's a reason for the dark smudges under my eyes and so on and it isn't only because I have an OES named Sybil You have to want to live and breathe dogs. Most normal people actually have lives 
Kristine |
Quote: You have to want to live and breathe dogs. Most normal people actually have lives
That's us and it's exactly true. Our lives definitely revolve around our dogs and we're happy with this. You have to want to devote the next 2 years to twins. Working through those joyous "coming of age" months where they try to figure out hierarchy and push boundaries. The twins were actually fabulous... we never had a problem. Now Kaytee, their half-sister, was a completely different story  I cannot imagine raising two like her at one time There is not doubt WHY that girl survived... she is SO strong willed, adamant, persistent and determined (obnoxious, sweet, loving). What a trip coming of age was with that girl  By the time 2-3 years rolls around you're ready for a break
I know this is off subject (just preparing for the next pup)... but do you think a lot has to do with the temperament of the mother? Emma's & Darby's mom was said to be very low in the pack and content to be there... just like the twins. Kaytee's mom was a pistol... she did not get along with the other bitches in the pack. TG Kaytee co-exists fine with them now. I'm just wondering if this has something to do with the temperament of the pups... |
| If you feel they are a waste of money. Why not buy used crates?
I see them all the time on Craigslist. You may be able to pick them up for free too. That being said, I bought a HUGE crate many years ago for my Boxer. When she passed away I kept it because I knew there would be more big dogs in my future. When I moved in with my husband he asked why I had brought this crate all the way from NY with me when my only dog was 8 lbs and he had a crate. I said we would need it and it was a great crate. Sure enough about a year and a half later we rescued our German Shepherd and he used the crate for over two years. We used the crate again when Pepsi arrived. The crate folds nearly flat an is stored in my garage. I am sure it will get more use in the future. |
6Girls wrote: Quote: You have to want to live and breathe dogs. Most normal people actually have lives That's us and it's exactly true. Our lives definitely revolve around our dogs and we're happy with this. You have to want to devote the next 2 years to twins. Working through those joyous "coming of age" months where they try to figure out hierarchy and push boundaries. The twins were actually fabulous... we never had a problem. Now Kaytee, their half-sister, was a completely different story I cannot imagine raising two like her at one time There is not doubt WHY that girl survived... she is SO strong willed, adamant, persistent and determined (obnoxious, sweet, loving). What a trip coming of age was with that girl By the time 2-3 years rolls around you're ready for a break or your husband gets a new puppy .... |
| When we were getting Archie the very first thing we bought was a 42" crate, all the reading I did recommended crates, I am glad we followed this advice.
Archie joined our family at 16 weeks old (as he had been returned to the breeders as he was biting and wouldn't stay in his bed (yup a soft dog basket style) the breeders kept him for three weeks to see if there were any behavioral issues - there weren't any apart from him acting as puppies do). The breeders crate all their dogs and they are all happy in their own private little caves. We picked up Archie on the 8th December, when we stayed at my inlaws for xmas Archie came too (Obviously), crate and all it allowed him somewhere safe, to retreat to should he feel the need and also somewhere for him to nap when the rest of us were eating. This morning when I got up 5am yuck! (on early shift), had my shower etc, popped downstairs put on the radio and kettle etc, where was Archie? in his crate - left open doored overnight I point out, we went for his toilet walk (come on dad this is far to early!) and half an hour later, when we got back a quick slurp of water and off he cureld down back in his crate. So you can see they do get to like, what we see as maybe a jail, and they see as their safe zone, maybe in Archies case safe from our two cats he shares the room with over night |
| I would have to agree with most of what is said here. I just got a new puppy a month ago. We already have a 1 1/2 oes and 6 yo gsd. Before we even purchased our new pup we got a crate just for her. It was the best decision for us. She likes to eat the other dogs food instead of her own so we feed them all in the the crates. Beauford will go in his crate just to get a break from the puppy and we are training her to know that his crate is his and she has her own private sanctuary. We crate our dogs when we go out and cant keep an eye on them. Puppies like to chew too much and my dining room table legs are proof of beaufords ability as a puppy to chew everything and anything. I would suggest two crates for their safety more than anything. |
| How long did it take to crate train your puppies? I am hoping it will be over by the end of summer. |
| We crate until around the age of 6-7 months... during this time, when they are out of the crate (which is often) they are supervised. If they can't be properly supervised, they're back in their crate to protect against a puddle behind the couch that might not be found for a few days and also to protect puppy from chewing on something dangerous (though we do cover/hide all electrical cords). We give them lots of opportunities to explore but start with just one or two tile rooms... once they've proven themselves, they're given more area. Puppies have to learn limits, then test them to see how far they can go and this takes supervision. If they are not supervised, not given the opportunity to make mistakes so you can guide them into proper behavior, then they can never learn right from wrong. Even after this 6 month time frame, you'll need to continue supervision to see if they are trustworthy or if a longer crating time is required... each dog is an individual and learns at different rates.
Crates are a safe place a puppy can stay, remember to remove the collar each time they kennel-up. They get all their meals in their crate so it's viewed as a good place to be. As soon as a pup awakes from a nap, they immediately go outside to potty. As soon as a pup finishes eating in their crate, they go outside to potty. They can't hold it long so you have to be on your toes!
Hope this helps! |
we crated at night until they were older than a year. we left the crates up and the doors open even after that and the female usually slept in her crate (which she has now reclaimed at over 2.5 years since the new puppy came and had the nerve to use  ).
We have a 4+ month old pup and he is crated at night - and in an xpen during down time (Marley stole back his downstairs crate) I assume he will be crated at night as long as we have room in our room for the size crate he needs (if you think OES grow fast  ) I assume we will crate him in some manner for the first two years. One of my trainers recommedns two as the age they are more reliable and its safe to leave them out. |
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