Do you crate your dog?

black-saturn

The reason I am asking this is because every morning I come downstairs to be greeted by something else that has been chewed or ripped up by my dog. During the day she chews nothing at all but at night she seems to have a chewing festival. In 10 months she has totally ruined the kitchen lino, chewed up 2 carpets, ripped the telephone wire out and ruined 2 dining chairs. I'm seriously considering crating her at night. Has anyone else done this? Seems cruel but other than staying awake all night I can't think of another way.

Bossyboots

My brother does, but he has done it right from day 1. This sounds like separation anxiety coupled with boredom so you need to address the issues of why she is doing it, as well as finding a solution.

Some of the stuff on here might help http://www.dogbehaviour.com/behaviourproblems/dogs/yourdog/alone.htm. Otherwise Google the problem and scout around the results.

We never had a chewing problem with our dogs but they did go through a phase of whining at night. With some tips from the vet and a change in their sleeping quarters, they settled back down but we did have actively work at it. I suspect if you crate your dog she will substitute crying in place of her chewing.

Elixir

Black Saturn, email me at jtaylor@thenaturaldogtrainer.co.uk

I will try and help you by email as much as I can

Bossyboots

Elixir wrote:

Black Saturn, email me at jtaylor@thenaturaldogtrainer.co.uk

I will try and help you by email as much as I can

It would be rather nice if you did it on the forum now the subject has been raised. I am sure BS is not the only one who like some guidance on this and I would certainly be very interested in any advice and tips you give as we will be getting another dog in the not too distant future.

WeirdoMagnet

I'd be inclined to agree with Bossyboots.

You could try to alter your routine a little, like taking her for a walk nearer bedtime, or doing some training (basic stuff, tricks, etc) to mentally tire her if you can't take her out.

What sort of feed do you give her? Some commercial feeds are full of additives which can make your dog hyperactive, for example - I'm sure you all know what I'm going to say next! - Bakers!!! Does she have any treats that would make her hyper too?

Does she have a really cosy bed, with her own toys to play with?

If you do go down the crate route, it is really important to 'crate train' the dog over a period of time. You'll need to make it really cosy - a safe den she wants to be in, not just where she sleeps at night. You might need to get her sleeping in it at night right next to your bed, and gradually move it further away inch by inch over a period of time, just as if she was a new dog.

If you'd like more info, you could try the training & behaviour forum at DogPages. Many of the folk there are dog trainers and are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Good luck.

Elixir

Bossyboots, I would rather give a bespoke treatment rather than a generalised one as several different factors will go into this.

I can then also offer to send on my articles,on relevant subjects.

I am offering a FREE bespoke service to Black Saturn, if generalised advice if what they anyone would prefer then yes Dogpages would be better.

black-saturn

I feed her on dry food but it's not Bakers. She has a really lovely cosy bed and loads of toys and chews. She doesnt have any titbits other than her usual food. I'm getting to the point where I'm dreading coming downstairs in the morning as I don't know what I'm going to be greeted by.

Noozan

Our puppy was crated from day 1.... we used to shut her in the crate, in the same room as we were in, for 10 to 15 mins several times during the day to get her used to it. It was never used for punishment and we encouraged her to go in it if she was tired and in need of a sleep. We made it a rule that if she was sleeping in her crate; no one was to bother her as it was her 'bedroom' and place of sanctuary. The door was left open during the day so she could come and go as she pleased. She was crated if we were out of the house so that she would only be able to chew her own belongings. (It's very rare that both Dh and I are both out for more than a couple of hours at a time though)

She cried the first nights and DH and I took it in turns to go downstairs and take her outside on a leash to see if she needed the toilet. We didn't talk to her and didn't play with her. She went straight back in the crate when we came in. If she carried on crying, we sat next to the crate to reassure her that we were there but that night time was for sleeping. The crying reduced over 3 nights until she just stopped.

As a young pup, she would try it on with chewing skirtings and chair legs etc and we had to keep a constant eye on her and as soon as she tried to chew something that didn't belong to her, we'd say 'No chew' very firmly and then place one of her chews in her mouth. If she picked up a chew, she was praised loads. It took her about 3 weeks to get the message and she has never chewed anything that isn't hers since then.

When she was 5 1/2 months old, we were having a late night and early morning so we thought we'd leave her out of the crate to see if she behaved herself. We went to bed and left the crate open. When we came down in the morning, she was asleep in the crate and hadn't chewed anything :T Eventually, we took the crate away and just left her bed out and she now has the run of the downstairs at night and when we are out.

She was never allowed upstairs and even now, she puts her front paws on the third step up with her back paws on the ground if she sees us coming downstairs (tail wagging furiously!) If DH is night shift, I let her sleep on the bedroom floor and she comes upstairs if invited. Sometimes, she comes down for a drink of water in the night and then stays downstairs as I'm asleep and noone has invited her back up.

Ok, I've waffled on a bit, sorry If I had another dog, I would do the same again. I don't believe crating is cruel as I saw it as her bedroom. It's only cruel when dogs are left in them for hours and hours at a time when people can't be bothered or don't have the time and commitment to own a dog.

Elixir

Here here Noozan!

Eels100

I would echo all the above very good advice. One very important thing that some people forget is that puppyhood isn't the only time during which dogs can be trained, and that conversely to train older dogs you very often have to go back to square one and treat them as if they're 8 weeks old.

I am sure you can resolve this issue Black Saturn, with or without a crate.

Melissa22_Mum

In my experience it depends on what you let doggy get away with in the daytime hours aswell. Disipline needs to be ingrained in a dog and old habits die hard.