So, i have a new almost 10wk puppy. We lost our 12 year old this past Fall and had another lab for 13 years before that. We got him at 8 wks. This guy is different in that we had our first lab at 3 months, he never crated, hated it, was potty trained to go out quickly and used dog bed and gates. Second lab was sensitive, got used to crate with minimal crying but was left with door open most of the time and again had run of living room by 3 months, occasional accident but not much. This guy, Gabe, eats in his crate but if you shut the door has horrible reaction even if you are outside of it. He almost got teeth hooked on kennel door biting it frantically and even treats wouldn't have him calm down. This morning he is with my husband by the couch sleeping, (he slept on couch) and is looking at me skeptically. We had played games in his crate, he feeds in there, all things they say to do, but his reactions are so different than I'm used too. If he didn't piddle so often, he still needs to go out every hour or so (longer at night, 4 hours) Poop, he usually barks first at kitchen gate. I was thinking a pen around crate might give him more room and he'll complain but it wont be a cage. I was thinking of putting waterproof rug or fabric on floor or piece of laminate. Has anyone had luck with a pen vs crate? I will keep feeding him in crate and playing games but the biting of the door, the fear he keeps exhibiting is disturbing and obviously has him upset enough to avoid me and it was 2 minutes if that. ; ( I would just let him roam that one room but alone, he chews things the other 2 didn't, wood, etc. I can't trust him to have that much room even if my others did okay early. Thanks for any tips.
Each dog is different and I think a pen a great idea. You could leave a pee pad in there for accidents. My younger pup hated being confined at all the first two weeks after we brought her home. I tried soft crate, regular crate, the bathroom and landed on the spare room with a puppy pad (I slept in there too). It just took her longer to settle in overnight than my older dog did and once we got into a routine, she grew to love her crate and prefers to nap in there even now.
Thanks, I am at my wits end because I thought with me outside crate or with door open, he'd be okay. No, He will run over my lap even if I put him in snoring, and put himself against the bookcase or door (loves to go against hard surfaces or couch end) Feeding him prolongs it but after done, he continues. I am glad to hear about different experiences because although I had 2 dogs and my husband 4 in all, they were all different and in this regard, were easier to crate train. My husband when single, had a spare tiny room that was their "pen" which was ideal but we don't. I might try putting crate by bed but I think it is the crate not where we are, since we are there in living room. Taking him out to pee is harder with upstairs bedroom. Thank you again for your reply.
I did set up two crates - a night time one by my bed and one in the living room, and did a lot of crate training and a routine of napping in the living room crate daily. She also preferred corners, hard floors and underneath the couch but over time this diminished. I did buy a snuggle puppy (a stuffed toy with heartbeat and heat) which really helped her settle. As she got bigger, she chose her living room crate and that’s her space now. You will find something that works - 10 weeks is still early!
That's funny,re the walls. Maybe a litter mate thing. I wish I could get a similar feel in the crate. It's nice to hear what others have done and not feel so alone. I wish mine liked the puppy with heartbeat, he loves the dog but if I turn it on, he leaves it and moves away. Mine is so loud, you can hear it across the room. My daughter suggested wrapping it in a towel. When I commented to someone who said her second one was like that, Chewy told me they'd refund my money and I could keep or donate it which was nice. He does like it but since I brought him home, just didn't do the magic it did for others.
Not sure if it will help, but my first puppy liked an old shirt of mine that smelled like me to sleep with in her crate. Might be worth a try! I think they feel safe in corners and under things and it takes time to adjust, poor little things. I also have a crate cover and closed it fully for naps and night time (never did this for my older dog!).
We can try that if near by. I'm only leery because my old dog was not a big whiner, rarely barked, but ate cloth. One time had surgery for a sock when my husband dropped his gym bag when he came and went to the bathroom. In 3 minutes he got the zipper and sock. 1500.00 later was fine (vet was cheaper than most I hear) but I'm always nervous. He made us much more clean. ; ) I had to laugh yesterday, a few days ago, after trying to put him in crate with Kong and feeding him treats, he of course barked and whined and bit door trying to get out when done. Having it dark (didn't do blanket) didn't work and after 5 min of it, I waited for a break and let him out. Today, I put frozen Kong in there and he ate it with his back legs out. lol It's not funny but later when my husband threw a few tiny treats in he had 3 legs in a one paw out. It was like, "that door is not closing on me again" I do have a pen coming this weekend. (fingers crossed) He's so young, I am being patient but when he has the somewhat crazy period around 5-8pm or any time he needs a time out, I need someplace safe that isn't a punishment but a place he can decompress. Did your dog after have the crazies at might. I don't remember it with my last dog, he just stole things all the time. We also had younger kids and I probably didn't notice.
