Is he too old to crate?
Ted will be 3 in February, we've had him for just over a year. He was not crate trained when we got him and for the first several months he got into stuff when we left but nothing too significant... We quickly learned to keep anything edible or that we knew attracted him out of reach and put away. The garbage pail was moved out of reach, the bathroom doors were closed, counters cleaned off... but for the last few months his getting into stuff has escalated and he has gotten into some items that could have really hurt him. And it isn't stuff you would think he would get into... he has eaten hard cover books, pencils, plastic bags... along with some scary things like grapes (my mother-in-law didn't know could hurt dogs) and nutrition supplements that were still completely sealed in their containers. I'm considering getting a crate to make sure he is safe while we are out. Another thought is to muzzle him. The boys are not typically alone very often, B and I work opposite shifts and they are the center of our universe... The trouble usually happens within the first 10 minutes of our leaving home. He is able to run and play outside but we certainly need to walk him more frequently and spend more time training him... Even so, It happens even when I walk him before we leave so while there is a lot of room for improvement in the activity area I don't think it is all that. I guess I'm wondering if it would be detrimental to try to crate him when we leave? He doesn't do it at night. Or thoughts on the muzzle approach? Please advise, Thanks! |
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| It sure can be done, at any age. When I get a rescue dog in, it's part of their education. And I've never had one flunk out yet! Otherwise, do you have a smaller space (room, hallway,etc?) that could be converted to his space when you are gone? That way you could totally childproof it. It is really scary when they get into stuff, dangerous stuff.  |
We tried keeping him in the powder room last weekend for an hour... and now need to refinish the powder room door.  We have since been muzzling him when we have to run out, but I'm not 100% confident he will not be able to get into anything. You think it is OK to crate him only when we leave then? I was thinking of starting when we are home to make sure he doesn't hurt himself trying to escape (knowing that he is a door scratcher.) What I DO know is that it has to stop. It is VERY scary!!!! |
| I'd rather crate than muzzle. If he noses something, and the muzzle catches, it is a perfect recipe for panic and serious injury. And you won't be home until the damage is done. Our last two came to us as rescues, without any crate training. The one had been abused, and locked away as punishment, so we worked hard to make his crate a safe haven. We introduced it by tossing his favorite toys into it, so he could fetch them out. We also kept his food and water in the crate, so it was always associated with very positive things. At first he was hesitant, and would stretch his neck as far as possible to get the toy without actually setting foot in the crate. Once he realized it was "his" and not used in conjunction with violent punishment, he loved it. Bad thunderstorm? Max disappeared into his crate. Too much activity in the house? We'd find him napping in his crate. In the crate, with no collar to catch on anything, would be my vote. Good luck! |
| I think the crate is a good idea. My parents cocker is 8 years old and still sleeps in the crate at night. My brothers schnauzer is 9 and still is crated during working and sleeping hours. It's much safer than getting in trouble. I trust Teddy out of the crate while I'm gone for awhile but not for a full shift working or during my sleeping. Even when he's loose in the house he goes in and naps on his own. Cindy |
| It is very reassuring to hear these stories! Would love to hear more advice on how to introduce the crate to older dogs. Thanks!!!  |
| Our first rescue was 3 1/2 and we had to crate train him. It took a while for him to realize that it was our way or our way, but he got it. We really never had any problems with him. Zoey, our second rescue was a puppy... She would get into EVERYTHING. within the las year or so she finally mellowed out and it was a rare thing for her to get into stuff - she learned not to. 3 years later we have Caitlyn and she's picking p where Zoey left off. Hopefully she'll come around soon too. Vance |
| I'd crate... it's for his own safety. Make a cool place where good things happen. Every dog here did perfectly fine in a crate except one and she had likely been over-crated. She had to have a couple of big molars pulled on Monday (darn nylabones... they're banned here)... while the vet was showing photos of the surgery she reverted to her pitiful forlorned howling. I had to ask, "Is that Panda???"  because I hadn't heard it in years. So, nope... she still doesn't do well in one.  |
I think that crating would be the best way to keep him and the house safe. You could start by putting treats in there, keeping the door open, feeding him in there, luring him in there with the door open so he can learn that it is a wonderful place which is all his own little den. (dogs are den animals remember) Gradually try closing the door for short periods, then longer. Feeding him in there will give him the message that it is a place where good things happen.  My dogs are crated whenever I'm not home to keep them and the house safe and sometimes when I am home and we all need a timeout. IMHO a muzzle is more restrictive and less loving than providing him with a place all his own (aka crate). I think it will work out fine for you. Good luck! |
| Teddy Houdini managed to break out of his crate on day 1... We will have to purchase some zip ties to hold it together and reinforce the joints. What a boy. Will continue to try to make it a fun place to be while we are home and testing it for short periods of time leaving him alone. We'd ultimately like to keep the crate up in the bedroom... is it ok to train downstairs and move it upstairs in a few months after he is used to it? Or is it best to train in the place where it will always be kept? |
| Mady had her crate moved once from downstairs (after more than 18 months) to upstairs and she had absolutely no issue with it. After it was moved, we'd say "crate time" and she'd run upstairs and into her crate. It was the same for her. Only a couple of months after that we stopped crating her altogether and she is now out when we're gone. Gracie has inherited her crate now. |
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