My 5 month old lab has gotten into a nasty habit of not wanting to be in her crate when i'm home. It's not like i just put her in all day, I do it when i need to study or clean or cook dinner. She used to be really good about being in her crate, but now she just barks and whines, and i'm not sure what to do. I live in an apartment complex so i'm afraid she's disturbing other people. I don't want her to think that she can bark to get out of the crate, but after 10 minutes, i can't take it anymore, and am afraid that the person who shares a wall with me is being disturbed.
2007-11-24 05:43:04 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
yes i have stuff in the cate for her.
It's not her getting into things, it's the fact that she doesn't like when i ignore her when she's out of the crate, and she'll want to go outside every 5 minutes, even not to go to the bathroom. It's 30 degrees here so i didn't wan to go for a long walk so we went for three shorter walks today and i played with her before starting my studying.
Maybe i'll try the water bottle thing.
2007-11-24 05:55:58 · update #1
she has been crate trained since the beginning (4 months)... this is a recent development
2007-11-26 09:00:29 · update #2
You're in a bit of a situation with the shared wall. Put a chew toy in her crate with her when she's in there, and tire her out beforehand if you can, then suck it up and ignore the whining and barking. Maybe you can talk to your neighbor and explain that you're training the dog to stay quiet in the crate and you hope he/she will be patient. Bringing cookies or something should also help.
2007-11-24 05:55:06 · answer #1 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your situation is probably not unusual anymore: lots of people in condos and apts have to share walls, and I understand.
I would agree that squirting the dog is okay under these circumstances but it IS important that the dog not know it is you and no words.
I do not agree in banging on the crate or yelling at the dog. It may well have the unintended consequence of making the dog increasingly crate shy. Wrong approach!
More importantly, I would begin training on this issue with several sessions/day. Try the sessions when the neighbor is not home.
Put the dog in the crate. When the first barking starts do the squirt. After five minutes of quiet, get the dog out, praise (good quiet!) treat and repeat. and repeat... and do this multiple times a day until the problem is solved. I assume, here, that you have a command for quiet... and if this is not it, use the command you are currently using.
Some trainers suggest teaching a dog to bark on command so that, like a light switch, you can turn it off and on. I have never had to do this, but I know people that have done it and they swear by it.
If this is too vague or does not work for you, contact a certified trainer and work with them. they are absolutely invaluable for these types of problems. Most will come to the home.
Usually, behaviors are not singular... meaning there is probably another behavior that goes with this... or several... that really need to be addressed. You have to get to the REASON the dog is doing this... and it is probably reflected in other ways you have not really observed, but a trainer will.
2007-11-24 06:10:53 · answer #2 · answered by cany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a lab, he's 3 years old. Sometimes i put him in the garage when people are visiting because they're afraid of him, and he starts barking and jumping on the door making a loud disturbing noise, so when I don't want him to continue doing it, I go in the garage, i kneel down and start speaking to him and shake his head a little bit, then I Go back out, and he understands me and stops doing his disturbing behavior. Since you have a puppy you have to training from the beginning, Good Luck.
2007-11-24 05:52:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cage training is a job. but let her cry for a little then as soon as she stops even for a second get her out the after about 15 min. put her back just like children it is a learned behavior. the learn my repeating the same thing over. it is not cruel this keeps your dog safe puppies can get into things to hurt themselves then after awhile of doing this you will find you will leave the door open and the dog will go in by it self. good luck training is a full time thing but once you get it you have a great dog labs are wonderful animals
2007-11-24 06:01:01 · answer #4 · answered by Jodie R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you put any toys or anything to chew on with her in the crate?
When its time to study or do work and you need to crate her, I would tire her out first. Take her for a nice vigorous walk and if shes tired she will be more inclined to sleep in the crate rather than bark. Hope that helps!
2007-11-24 05:52:31 · answer #5 · answered by diggydoo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i crate train all my guys.. and we have 2 methods when they start being loud in the crate.. 1. is squirt them with a water bottle.. but you have to do it just right to where they think the Crate did it and not you... which means try moving her crate where you can see it, but she cant see you when she's in it.. when she starts making noise, squirt her witht he bottle and dont say a Thing!
the other one Sounds mean.. but it works fast.. the same method but instead of using a squirt bottle, you creep up next to her crate as she's crying and start banging on the crate almost yelling "QUIET" she'll think WHAT THE HECK?! and stop.. she may try a couple mor times to bark.. if she does.. do it again... but NEVER break... dont Ever let her out when she cries.. that's a big part of it.. your rewarding her for being bad...
Also go over to your neighboor, explain the situation and let them know your taking care of it.. but also let them know if she's disterbing them to come and let You know.. it works :)
If you need help you can email me at kitdragon2000@yahoo.com
Also stuffed kongs are a miracle sent... and theres a Bunch or reciepes online for kong stuffing.
Good Luck!
2007-11-24 05:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I taught my dog with a spray bottle with water . If he got somewhere he does not belong he gets sprayed with water and that is it . after a while all you have to do is show them the bottle and they go where they are supposed to be . it has worked like a charm with us . good luck and god bless .
2007-11-24 05:52:07 · answer #7 · answered by Kate T. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate? I hope you mean cage..
Well from the way I hear it, it's time to just let her walk around your home. Train her. Let her know she is not to beg for food, or bug you when you study.
2007-11-24 05:48:47 · answer #8 · answered by Simba<3 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
puppies will do that for a couple of wks until they get used to being alone for a little..
2007-11-24 07:33:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
let 'er out!
2007-11-24 06:05:41 · answer #10 · answered by anon 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋