We bought him a steel gage a couple months ago and have been putting him in there since we got it to stop him from ruining our house. He is One years old today and a Lab mix. We don't know what he is mixed with all we know is that he has a white spot on his chest and his paw. We bought him a big bed for the inside of the gage so he would be comfortable and still he wrecks the front of it trying to escape. We caught him biting it and bending the metal with his teeth, this is def. not good. Also he recently cut his leg somehow trying to escape the cage. Why would he be trying to do this? We would leave him out but he just destroys the house! We put bones and everything in there and he still destroys it we don't even leave for that long. Any help?
2006-12-14 07:02:01 · 29 answers · asked by mapleavenue3 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Ok for the question as to Why i even have a dog, that is the most stupid question ive heard. I didnt say that we threw him in his cage for 23 hrs and let him roam for 1 hr! He is out of his cage all day, when we go somewhere we let him out run him around and put him in the cage so he doesnt destroy our house any more than he has! He is in the cage 1-3 hrs at the most!
2006-12-14 07:16:06 · update #1
Please, if you are not going to read what I have explained fully DO NOT RESPOND. It's like some of you are reading half of this and not the whole thing. Ive had the dog since he was a puppy. we used to leave him out but he chewed and scratched a holes into our walls. So we bought this cage. He was fine at first but then started wrecking the cage. We all play with him and he gets plenty of attention. We let him out to go to the bathroom etc before we leave then place him in his cage. Like i stated he is in there for no more than 4 hrs at a time so all you animal rights activists need not throw any fits. We run him around and all that good stuff. Obviously he just hates being in his cage so I will just have to kill him. Haha just kidding. We are going to purchase a training course for him, and see if that helps. Thanks for your answers.
2006-12-14 07:52:11 · update #2
We tried crating a one year old lab mix with separation anxiety. It didn't work for us because she had not been crated as a puppy. She would lay in the crate with the door open while we were home, go in by herself and feel comfortable in there. When we left though, she would shred her blankets, break the welds on the crate (it was an iron cage) and eventually squeeze her 60lb body through the tiny opening on the bottom where the tray was before she pushed it out so forcefully that it flew across the kitchen floor. We couldn't figure out how she was getting out when the cage was still closed and locked so we set up the video camera and she was out of that crate within 6 minutes of us being gone from the house.
We tried different kinds of crates and came across the same issues you're having.
She's almost three now and we've almost solved her issues. Among many other things, we got her a buddy. We now have two dogs and they entertain each other instead of destroying my house.
If you want all the details of how we overcame our Lab issues, shoot me an e-mail I'll be happy to share my experiences and what worked for us.
2006-12-14 07:12:56 · answer #1 · answered by KJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People are so ignorant. There is nothing wrong with a dog spending time in a crate. As a matter of fact, they like it. Dog's are naturally den animals and they enjoy being enclosed because it gives them security. My chihuahua is in his crate all day while I am at work, which is close to 10 hours a day. I asked my vet about it and he said that was perfectly fine and a better option than letting him roam free. No matter how well behaved a dog is, they will find a way to get in trouble when they are bored. Being crated has not affected him at all. Dogs live in the moment. They do not remember something that happened even 5 minutes ago. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for crating your dog.
As for his issues... most dogs are destructive because they have pent energy that is not being released. Some people assume that if they let the dog run around in the yard, they are getting exercise which is NOT true. A large dog like a lab needs at LEAST an hour long walk a day. Try taking him for a good walk before crating him. He will be tired and not put up such a fight to get out of his crate. Just remember... exercise, discipline, and THEN affection. If you want your dog to have a stable mind, you must live by this rule.
2006-12-14 07:40:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog has separation anxiety. There are drugs and herbal remedies for this. Any chance he's a great dane mix ? I have a dog with the same issues. You will never be able to crate him. We ended up getting another dog to keep ours company ( even though we're always home ) and let her run loose in the house. She was actually less destructive that way. You could try to confine her to a single room with a baby gate. Just make sure you leave the door open or you won't have a room. Start doing this when you are at home.
2006-12-14 07:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by lolabunny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a very good idea to "crate train" your dog. The most important reason is that puppies get into things and chew them; ask any vet and they will tell you many stories about how dogs will eat things and have to have operations to get them out and some die. Puppies can chew on electrical cords and die that way; they can pull things down on them selves , they can take off out the door and into traffic ...all kinds of dangerous stuff. It also gives the puppy or dog a place to rest and relax in peace and feel secure. The dog will eventually have to be in a crate at the vet or when traveling so it's good to get the dog comfortable and accustomed to it. If you do agility or anything like that you will probably have to crate the dog at times there too. No matter how much you love your dog you will have times that you will like to have a break from him or her too. Some dogs develop dominance issues and become over protective when they are allowed to go freely throughout the house.
2016-03-29 07:17:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem with my dog.. He actually learned how to get his cage open and get out... When I got home he would be on the back of the couch staring at the window waiting for me to get home...
But question for you how long have you had him? And are you his first owner?
I was my dogs 4th owner.. And the last owners used the cage and I think it actually scared him to be in it, so I do not know what they did.
My sugestion is to slowly get him use to it. Its hard if you don't have the time but it will work.. Put him/her in start at 5 mins. leave and come back in and let them out.. Keep increasing the time you leave till they are use to it.. Also long walks or runs to get them tired so they know this is safe to sleep in...
Read Marley and Me... It will help... And you you go Been there done that.. and I hope he never dose that...
Good Luck>>
2006-12-14 07:27:51 · answer #5 · answered by expensv_1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why did you put him a cage? I know, he ruins everything when he is not in the cage but it wasn't a good idea. He is a young dog and Labradors are very temperamental dogs, so if you don't play with your dog enough time, it is normal and every few months old dogs are ruining everything. Play with your dog very much and take him for a walk every day for minimum 1,5-2 hours and take him to a dog school. In the first few months will very hard, but do it and your dog becomes an obedient dog. And don't use the cage! If you sometimes put him the cage for a couple hours when somebody, who hate dogs comes it's not problem but if your dog is living in the cage he is very sad and disobedient.
2006-12-14 07:41:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry to hear your dog was hurt trying to escape from his crate.
Does your dog get enough (i.e. LOTS) of exercise?
Does he try to escape when he is crated and you are home? Or is it just when you are gone?
Most dogs think of their crates as their personal space or den. When crate training it sometimes helps to leave the crate open all the time so the dog can come and go at will. Putting his toys in the crate also reinforces the idea that this is his space for his things. Having said all this, it is important to keep in mind that dogs, especially a youngster like you have, need LOTS of exercise and interaction with his pack (you). If he isn't getting enough exercise or interaction with you he may be trying to escape from the crate to fulfill these needs.
Best of luck.
2006-12-14 07:11:10 · answer #7 · answered by krinkn 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The dog is suffering from separation anxiety. A vet may be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication, but it really sounds like the dog needs a lot more exercise and mental stimulation than he is receiving now. I would recommend at least two hours of walking, jogging, or intense play each day. Popular to contrary belief, strenuous play does not encourage rowdiness or hyperactivity. Quite the opposite, actually. It uses up extra energy and helps the dog to be more calm and focused.
2006-12-14 07:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by texastailfeathers 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it sounds as though its is really destressing for him being in a crate and he suffers from separation anxiety. i am a firm believer in crate training as i did it with my pup the difference being my pup was only 14 weeks when i started this and he adapted no problem. your dog however is a year old and this casn be confusing and stressful to him if hes never been introduced to a crate before. you need to gradually build up his time and get him used to the crate little by little so that he feels comfortable and safe being in there. place all his favorites in his crate and even feed him in there but leave the crate door open until he gets used to it. only after time and when he seems comfortable being in his crate can you then start shutting the door for just a few minutes at a time to begin with and stay with him. it may take a while but gradually build up his time with the crate door shut and he should be a happier boy. never just put him in a crate,shut the door and leave him if its his first time as your scaring the hell out of him.
2006-12-14 07:20:18 · answer #9 · answered by ben e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he needs a lot more activity and attention than he's getting. Every puppy (and owner) should go through training to develop good habits. And Labs and many other breeds need lots of play time and attention. These are high energy dogs. Maybe you'd be better off with a more low energy/maintenance dog. Or offer to help a neighbor with their dog and you can have the fun without the work.
2006-12-14 07:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by Laura 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋