So, I decided this weekend that as Indy was doing really well with his training that we would let him have a little more freedom when he cant be completely supervised. So Saturday morning we leave the crate door open in the kitchen and use a baby gate to keep him secure. I put out plenty of toys for him and let him out for the loo. I had already puppy proofed the kitchen or so I thought. 40 minutes later after having a shower and blow drying my hair I decide to go down and check on him see how he has done. Having completely ignored all his toys he had somehow managed to jump up and attack my oven gloves which were left on the side of the oven door. My oven is pretty high up in the unit so mildly impressed and can replace for a couple of pounds. What has amazed me more though is that he managed to get into the under stairs cupboard (door was closed) and find my wicker washing basket which I placed there for safe keeping. Safe to say I now need a new one. I also let him out for a wee before heading up for my shower, to come back and find a little puddle by my back door. hmm maybe he is still a little young. I laugh about it now in fact I laughed about then as he was lying in his crate like butter wouldn't melt when I returned. We went out Sunday to do the food shopping and decided this time he could have a nap in his crate whilst out (door closed) Lesson learnt this weekend- puppies are a challenge I think maybe little and often is the key and build it up over the next few months.
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha Indy is not the only one who can't be trusted at his age, don't worry! Maisie would find the wicker basket and think "oh how kind of mum to leave me this basket to chew while she is out!"
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha ;D ;D ;D I think the key is to slowly add duration - instead of waiting 20 minutes...check in 5...with lots of praise for being a good girl/boy...and then back again in 5. Then 7 minutes,....then 10...then 15....and then 10...so they don't know when to expect you back...no predictability. Adding in also of course to have potty break right before and right after....and ensuring that they do have an acceptable item to destruct available - cardboard boxes are a favorite with my Bella... But yes....laugh and move on to the next challenge when it doesn't go well - you will have both learned a lesson.
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha Cooper (almost 12 months old) just now is sleeping on the sofa instead of the crate. Just happened that one night he was so tired he would not leave the sofa so I left him there and, next morning, he was waiting for me at the puppy gate! I DO leave his crate gate open in case he wants to pop in there....and maybe he does during the night.....but the puppy gate keeps him confined to the Family Room where he has been from day one. I till wonder (worry?) if he is sleeping as well outside of the crate but....he seems as energetic as ever. I DO put him in his crate if I leave the house. I am still not 100% comfortable with the night situation of sleeping on the sofa and no confined but.....seems to be working for now. I did buy him a lovely comfy doggy bed but, everytime I bring it out for him, he tries to destroy it. So, maybe a bed is not for him and the sofa is. By the way, it is HIS sofa because he chewed it to bits and now has a sofa cover on it that he does not bite/chew/destroy....no explanation for that!
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha Guide Dogs are de-crated really young, because they go to school at 12 months old and there are no crates there. Gypsy was de-crated at 5 months old. She had a little go at the skirting board and I was advised to put Vicks Vapour Rub on all the skirting boards and anything else she may fancy having a nibble at. I did, and she hasn't touched anything since
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha Vicks vapo rub what a great idea. I have bought some of that puppy chew-stop but haven't used it yet as he touch wood (fingers crossed) hasn't started chewing that yet. I worry for my kitchen cupboards they are pretty new and cant afford a new kitchen. I don't mind him being crated at night as we never here a sound from him and he always seems pretty happy to be in his crate, its the day time whilst i'm at work I don't like him being stuck in there. I'll do little and often as advised when we are home and build it up slowly.
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha I think others have used detergent to good effect as well. I bet he had so much fun with the basket
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha I was keeping Seren in a pen when left unsupervised which worked well until he turned 11 weeks... he taught himself how to jump it! So I fully proofed the utility and gave him that. First time I came home from work I was so impressed! Seren just waking up in his crate, no toilet accidents, no massive damage! So I walked in and shut the door and OH! My waterproof mac that I keep high on the door for rainy trips outside had somehow turned into a grass skirt..... : ;D
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha Hmmm - I was just thinking about this with our 5 month old Zac. He goes in his crate during the day while we are at work - and again at night for bed. However, I wonder if he is just not comfortable in there. At night - we would be there and I have considered letting him sleep on his bed in our bedroom. Hubby thinks he would never settle down and eat everything in sight and or try to jump up on our bed. We are trying to keep him off the furniture. Wondering if maybe letting him lie on his bed a little bit before bed each night - then transfering to the crate to build up? (specifically thinking about the post that started this thread ( :
Re: Puppy De-crating maybe not haha [quote author=Zacbrownpup link=topic=9987.msg146172#msg146172 date=1424973895] Hmmm - I was just thinking about this with our 5 month old Zac. He goes in his crate during the day while we are at work - and again at night for bed. However, I wonder if he is just not comfortable in there. At night - we would be there and I have considered letting him sleep on his bed in our bedroom. Hubby thinks he would never settle down and eat everything in sight and or try to jump up on our bed. We are trying to keep him off the furniture. Wondering if maybe letting him lie on his bed a little bit before bed each night - then transfering to the crate to build up? (specifically thinking about the post that started this thread ( : [/quote] Try it , Bella has been fine when we've been away and she's just on her bed and not moved a muscle so thinking of doing that myself at home rather than zipping her in ....I'll just need to clear things off the floor in case she wants to wander in the night , although I would hear her anyway and put her back on her bed
