I have 4 dogs and want to train them to sleep in a cage/ stay in cage when we're out. What's the best way to do it? Is it best for each individual dog to have it's own cage or can we have 2 in one and 2 in the other? Any top tips for the training process?
2006-10-19 11:26:50 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
solo; any arguments in such close confines can be fatal, or lead to a permanent 'change of heart' between 2 dogs who previously got along fine, and now hate/fear one another.
one crate, one dog; same crate for each animal, for the sake of scent/familiarity.
use the shipping crates, not the wire 'show crates'. show crates/cages only pin an animal down, and don't give them any feeling of safety; all 6 walls are 'open', so anything can come at U as U sit in there - very un-nerving!
the more solid shipping crates are safer [no broken teeth from chewing on wires], and more reassuring.
start out by having the crates in the bedroom, if U can. overnite sleep as a group activity is a GREAT intro to the crate: everyone settles down, it's calm and relaxing.
== for home-alone time : ==========
Kong toys for each dog:
the Kongs get stuffed with part of their kibble from breakfast, and add-ons to either freeze it solid, or melt/weld it together. Either makes the contents harder to get out, and it lasts longer.
unsalted liquid from cooking vegies, to freeze; grated mozz to weld in the micro to melt together (20 secs in the micro, 20 secs off; 2 x; it should be COOLed thoroughly! before giving it to the dog; no burnt tongues or throats!)
the stuffed kong is busy-work for the time alone...
REMEMBER : make departures -and- returns very calm and low-key:
don't open the door and call, 'where's my BAY-Beee?!'
don't let anyone else do it, either: barking, whining, leaping, licking reunions are for the owner; they wreck the dog, who spends the day anticipating the over-emotional high-point of the entire day, and they get frantic if U are late.
arrivals should be just like departures: calm, relaxed, very low-key.
U need to earn the kibble; they need to know this is =normal=, no big deal.
the more U underline the contrast beween 'I'm Here, Kids!!', and an empty house, the more behavior and emotional problems the dogs will show.
BEFORE U Leave: everybody goes out to pee/stool, one last time: nobody can be comfy with a full bladder or bowel. it's best to do this with the dogs on-leash, vs off; then U know for sure, who produced what, if there are any symptoms of illness or upset, etc.
good luck!
2006-10-19 11:46:58 · answer #1 · answered by leashedforlife 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
1
2006-10-19 12:03:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm assuming you mean a cage that's like a crate. If so, I'd suggest one per dog. Dogs who are properly crate-trained will regard their crate as their 'den.' So each dog having their own is better; if they need to relax somewhere they can just go into their crate.
To crate train just takes patience. Start with making the crate positive. Train your dog to go into it on command. Give them a treat or toy as a reward. Once that's done, begin closing the door for a few minutes at a time while you're right there. Then a few minutes and leave the room. Then when your dogs are completely comfortable, leave them crated while you go to the grocery store, or other small errands. Always reward them for being good!
It is imperative that the crates are the right size for your dogs. They should be able to stand up, sit, turn around and lay down comfortably, but not have too much room so they feel like they can go to the bathroom at one end and sleep at the other.
Depending on the age of the dogs, you may be restricted on how long you can leave them in there. Puppies need to use the bathroom often (as I'm sure you know). If you're going out, make sure they use the bathroom before you leave, "just in case."
Any other questions? Let me know
2006-10-19 12:43:34 · answer #3 · answered by Sara S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Those people who think crate training is cruel really know NOTHING about dogs. I used to think it was not good either until I learned how much dogs actually BENEFIT by having a crate for their den while you are away. Please do crate your dogs. I have five of my own and they are happy and healthy and crate trained. Therefore I am also happy knowing they are safe and comfortable in my home. People who think it's cruel really need to speak to an animal behaviorist or risk making themselves look like idiots.
Now to your question: If you put them together you better COMPLETELY trust them to be best friends. In a cage, the one being picked on has nowhere to go, and could be killed or seriously psychologically damaged.
I would not do it with any of my dogs. No way. Not without supervision.
Plus, don't you think your dogs would benefit from having their own "room" where they can go to relax away from the pests that are bothering them? It also gives you somewhere you can put them if they are fighting or misbehaving.
2006-10-19 12:13:28 · answer #4 · answered by Robin D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
none per cage. Hamsters,rats, gerbils, budgies are cage animals. Dogs are not. If you insist on copying cruel American ideas and keeping dogs in cages, then never ever put 2 in one cage. If one picks on the other the other cannto espcape and you may well end up with a blood filled cage and one dead dog. Cages are cruel and dangerous. There have been plenty of occasions where dogs have trapped a leg in a cage and paniced, breaking the leg and having to lay in agony until the selfish dog owners decide to come home. If you have not got time to look after a dog properly, find it another home. Do NOT shut it in a cage for your own convenience.
2006-10-20 00:35:32 · answer #5 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This firstly depends on the dogs,, do they get on in pairs ?
are they related ?? I have 2 of my dogs in travelling cages
when we go out in the car, the other two are not.. the only reason for this is that the two youngsters have not yet got the
restraint the elder ones have....... Why would you want your
dogs to stay in a cage when your out ?? You must, I think, get
help with obedience training, there must be one for you locally,
good luck...
2006-10-19 11:52:31 · answer #6 · answered by landgirl60 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you wouldnt like to be locked in a cage would you for hours on end needing a wee?? if you REALLY have to do that then 1 per cage. but i think that you should take the time to train them. once they are used t the house they can go where and when they want.
2006-10-19 23:49:39 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two should be ok.. as long as you get them at the same time, preferably same litter but in a lot of petshops you can't be sure. Keep a close eye on them for the first week, make sure no fights happen but they should be fine. Two females would be better than two males together but either can work out ok. Make sure your cage is big enough for the both of them and that there's lots of places they can go and hide from the other.
2016-05-22 03:21:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably is a good idea once the dogs are over a year old to have their own crates. We had 2 pit bull pups and one large crate (for danes and other giant breeds) and they were fine together. Matter of fact it was hard to break them of it. They always wanted to be together. And even now if they arent put into their cages and locked in they will still go into the same crate and cuddle.
2006-10-19 11:54:45 · answer #9 · answered by crystalyn129 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NEVER more than one dog per crate unless the door is open and they can get out of the crate.
If something would happen and they would fight one could kill the other if you have two in a crate. Each dog needs to have its own space and espcially if you a re carting htem and leaving the house.
Two of mine sleep in the same crate but I am home and the crate door is open when they are doing it.
2006-10-19 11:58:16 · answer #10 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋