I have a 1 year old lab who spends about 7 hours a day in her kennel while I work, the PROBLEM IS I WORK AT HOME, AND SHE KNOWS I'M HERE so she whines all day for me. She has been feed early am and has been outside to potty prior to being kenneled up for the day at 9:00am. I let her out at my lunch break to play for a few minutes and to potty but then it's back in her kennel till 5:00pm. This is no different situation than if I went out to work at an office in the morning. I wish I could just let her out while I work but she is a very energetic 1 year old and I cannot have the distrations she brings while I am on a deadline. I'm ready to head back to commuting to the office every day just to get away from the noise. What can I do to get her to stop her constant whining???
2006-11-30 05:41:55 · 31 answers · asked by heymissmichelle 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Gimme a break people! there are MILLIONS of dogs who spend their days in a crate while their owners are at work. Some dogs will never be trustworthy or trained well enough to be left alone in a house for extended periods like a work day. Are your proposing all those dogs are abused? I asked for HONEST ideas, not cruel comments I am abusing my dog and she should be taken away! She is well loved, cared for and spends her entire evening with our large family.
If you can't give my question an honest positive helpful answer, keep your comments to yourself!
2006-11-30 06:12:10 · update #1
You might want to try and have a schedule for your dog where there is more time that she can be out of the crate but has something to occupy her.
Some possibilities:
Get her a Kong and stuff it with a bit of peanut butter and some treats that she can work of for awhile. Get her a Gallileo bone to chew on and toys to play with. If she tries to engage you, redirect her away from you. It may take some work while you are working but the idea would be to train her to occupy herself while you are home. Have a few hrs of crate time and cover the crate with a sheet so she cannot see you.
At that play time, take her for a walk and potty break. If she gets used to a routine and realizes there will be play time, time out of the crate, treat time etc. she may do fine after just a bit of training. If you don't have the time to train her while you are working, hire someone to get her on this routine.
It's a matter of training and you can have a happy dog and do your work too. ; )
2006-11-30 06:48:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel. Some people just jump on you right away. Don't pay attention to the rude comments which I'm sure you'll get more. It does kinda sound cruel to keep a dog in a kennel for 7 hours. Specially a lab because they're a little bigger. Personally I wouldn't do that but some people do and that's fine I guess as long as the Kennel is plenty big. I would just not pay attention to her. The more you tell her to hush the more she'll whine. I know you need to concentrate when you have dead line but maybe you could take a break every two hours or every hour and walk her out for 5 minutes. When you do go back to work maybe you could think about a doggie day care. Or have someone come walk her once during the day. I just think animals get just as stressed as we humans do and I would go crazy being in a crate for 7 hours. Good luck.
2006-11-30 06:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by laurel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where is the kennel located in the house? You might try having the kennel closer to where you do your work; if the dog can know you have not left him alone he should stop whining. If this works for you try moving the kennel 5-6 feet farther away from your work are every 3-4 weeks until he is kenneled where the kennel will remain permanently. you might also want to put an old blanket that you have personally used, unwashed, into the kennel to help the dog feel closer to you.
2006-11-30 05:54:17 · answer #3 · answered by Linda T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crating is not cruel by any means!!!
I empathize with your situation. The pup is young and knows you are home as you mentioned, so that's a tough one.
Be sure that you are consistent and never give any attention - positive or negative - to the whining. Do not shout to her to be quiet, do not check on her, do not give in. If possible, avoid entering the kennel area until she is silent, even if just for a minute (I realize that may not be possible!)
If she is whining when its time for her to be let out, enter the kennel area and stand with your back to her and your arms crossed. This may confuse and silence her for a moment.
When she's quiet let her out and hopefully she will associate her silence with being let out.
To further train that behaviour, get a "clicker". There are lots of free references on clicker training, its a very useful tool in helping communicate with your dog what you want her to do. Once she has the clicker basics down (probably take all of ten minutes), put her in the crate. Walk away, when she starts to whine, turn your back and cross your arms. Wait patiently...for a moment of silence. When it comes, "click" then return to her and treat through the crate. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Eventually she will understand her silence is what you want.
It sounds like the dog is on a schedule, so that is good, stick to it consistently.
Try putting a television or radio in the room with the kennel, to keep her company and drown out any sounds of you working or talking on the phone. There is even a cd called "canine lullabuys" which might be useful in this situation.
Fill her kennel with toys and blankets (if it's not already). A "kong" is a useful tool and can be purchased at any pet supply store. Fill it with peanut butter and kibble freeze it ahead of time, it will keep her occupied for awhile at least.
Failing that, there are lots of products available on the market for separation anxiety. A "DAP" diffuser may be helpful or maybe even an oral medication. Again, last resort.
Unfortunately, labs are quite prone to separation anxiety. Be patient and hang in there!
2006-11-30 06:44:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs are just as social as humans, if not more. If you are keeping this puppy in a kennel when she knows you are there, you are basically putting this dog through emotional stress. There are a few things you can do, first find another puppy for her to play with, put the dog on a run outside of your house, or spend the time to train your dog. Dogs need attention, and that amount of time in a kennel is not good for anyone or anything.
Go to your local pet store and get a book on basic dog training, eventually you will be able to do your work while having the company of your dog.
Also you could think about getting your dog some toys... alot of the time if you give a dog a toy that requires him to work for rewrds you can get hours of silence. Try buying a large bone, or a toy that has a hard to reach middle, put some peanut butter or some treat inside that would force your puppy to work for, while knowing there would be a reward, youll enjoy plenty of silence there, and then the treat is found, all you have to do is replace it with a new one!
Goodluck!
2006-11-30 05:56:37 · answer #5 · answered by Kyle N 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give her more exercise and attention before you start your workday.
That is a long time for a puppy that young to be in a crate, given their level of energy.
Instead of just going out to potty, take her on as long of a walk as possible, spend some time throwing toys and playing catch. If you can do that for at least a half hour/45 minutes, she will be tired out and calm down until your lunch break.
Do the same thing at your lunch break - if you can get her tired out, she will probably just sleep more while you are working.
Labs are high energy dogs, and can stay that way for as long as three years! If she is just whining when you are home, imagine the kind of damage she could do if you were not there?
2006-11-30 06:15:28 · answer #6 · answered by Marie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"No Negative Comments", None needed. By making that statement it seems you are aware you might be in over your head. You obviously want your dog to be happy, and you know they need guidance and attention. When deadlines are near, kennel the dog for as short a time as possible.. When they are not, train the dog in a playful way. It is good and healthy for you to get up every so often off of your chair for a few minutes every hour, why not use that time to "Play train" the puppy? Eventually the dog will feel more secure, and you will have a nice companion. You will also have to learn to ignore the dog while you are working, as long as it is a safe environment for him or her to be in. There are many books on basic training, adapt the training to your needs and wants.
2006-11-30 06:09:30 · answer #7 · answered by bumppo 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
well a kennel is definitely too small 4 a 1 y/o lab... have you ever thought about getting one of those baby door blockers... you could keep her out of the room that you are in while you are working... and make sure to load her up on toys so she doesn't get board... and also it sounds silly but noise like a radio.. could probably help keep her mind distracted or calm her down a little bit... and i know a lab can jump over the baby door but its not hard to train them to say on their side and it might take a day or two but she will be much more happier and i am sure you will be too! good luck!
2006-11-30 05:56:39 · answer #8 · answered by *little one* 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you can buy those baby fences and put her in a room closest to where you are so she can see you. You could talk to her to calm her down when she starts winning, give her toys, get biscuits or some other treat, anything is fine. But keeping her confined and she knows your there she just wants to get out. Well good luck and be patient with, remember shes just a puppy.
2006-11-30 06:28:32 · answer #9 · answered by speedy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think a doggy day care would solve your problem. Another idea is to put her crate in the room you work out of. Lab's are very attached to their owners and knowing you're home, but not being able to see you probably drives her crazy.
2006-11-30 06:04:02 · answer #10 · answered by KL 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋