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Old September 24th, 2008, 08:54 PM
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mona_b mona_b is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hamilton Ont
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jessi76 View Post
where is the crate? crating works best if it's in the same room as you, preferably next to your own bed. you can then reach it to put a finger close to the pup to reassure him it's ok. try putting a dirty t-shirt in w/ the pup - scent plays a powerful role, can be very reassuring to a new puppy.

Pups aren't born loving a crate. you need to SLOWLY build up time spent in a crate, and ALWAYS keep it positive. start by crating for a min or 2, work up to 10 min, work up to 30 min, then up to an hour or so. a pup should be crated for 1 hr equal to month old. 15 wks = 3mths = 3 hrs TOPS at one time. of course, you should work up to 3hr, not start off at 3 hrs.

to keep it positive, always praise, treat and even feed in the crate. I got my dog a water bottle (much like a very large one you'd see on a hamster cage) so he didn't spill his water while in the crate.

wait by his crate and when there is a split second break in the whining, let him out. he'll learn good calm behavior is the way to go.

if you keep it positive, short time periods, and as the other poster said, routine, he'll come to LOVE his crate. my dog happily runs into his whenever we say the command "kennel". in fact, I often find him and my cats in there snuggling!
In the 24+ years of owning dogs(not including when I was a child),I have never crated.And had lots of carpet....And my guys had free run at 5 1/2 months.But I do agree with this.The mistake some people make is not introducing the pup to it slowly.This pup is in a new enviroment and is sorta scared.But on the other hand,some people have the pup in the crate to much.When the pup is out,you need to learn the signs when he/she needs to go out...

Quote:
it serves as a den, a dog's natural habitat.
See this is where I have to disagree.It's not a dogs "natural habitat".We have domesticated dogs.They don't know what a "den" is.Dogs go into labour,they are put in a whelping box,or a bed is set up.We are talking dogs not wolves.

Just a suggestion.How about feeding him a bit earlier.Say 8am?

Also,how about taking him in the car when your fiance drives you?This way he can start getting used to the car?

Sometimes keeping them away from carpets till housetrained can backfire.You can have him on carpets,but just keep a close eye on him.If you see him sniffing,then you know.My niece just adopted 2 pups,(7 weeks) and my nephew adopted the other sibbling.There is tons of carpeting,and the pups are all over the place on it....They keep a close eye on them.
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