clicker training

[Slicknack]

Hi...I have a 12 week old mini-pincher. We just enrolled him in a puppy class at PetSmart. They gave us a clicker and told us to start using that...it is working great for the 2 commands that we are trying, "come" and "sit". I go back to work this week and the dog will be alone for 7 hours...I am very worried about this. We have a crate...in an area that he will be able to get around in because the vet/trainer said that he is too small to be crated for 7-8 hours. He is only 5lbs right now. Anyone going through the same thing? SHELLEY

[mona_b]

That is definately to long for him to be in a crate at this age.Is there anyway you can have someone come and let him out,play with him,and feed him?Are you close to home from work?Maybe you can pop over for lunch?What about doggy daycare?

Instead of the crate,maybe use an Xpen.Or can you have a room like the kitchen blocked off?

I never crated any of my dogs as pups.Past or present ones.I had my kitchen blocked off.Before I left for work I got up earlier,let them out,fed them,played with them in the back,then brought them in.My dad let them out at lunch,fed them,walked them,and put them back.I made sure that they had their kong and toys.

[Prin]

Originally Posted by mona_b

I never crated any of my dogs as pups.Past or present ones.I had my kitchen blocked off.Before I left for work I got up earlier,let them out,fed them,played with them in the back,then brought them in.My dad let them out at lunch,fed them,walked them,and put them back.I made sure that they had their kong and toys.

A lot of people here crate, but I used the same "technique" as Mona for all my doggies. A tired doggy is a good doggy.

I also agree that 7 hours is way too long for a puppy to be alone. You can and should expect a ton of destruction if this is really your only option...