[Quesoart]

Brie is nearly to the point where we need to get a larger crate and I'm a bit worried as she is so attached to her present "boudoir". She insists on supervising when we move it from room to room and inspects it thorougly after each move(as if I would change anything in it without her permission) :biglaugh: Anyway, we're going shopping this weekend. It's not like Brie will voluntarily go in her crate, so this possessiveness amuses me, however, I doubt I will be amused if she freaks out when she realizes that she has to "break in" a new crate!
Any suggestions???

Lora&Tippi, and now Brie
"My little dog. A heartbeat at my feet."
Edith Wharton

 

[Murphys Dad]

I would put the new crate next to the old one for a few days. Put her toys in it, feed her in it and reward her when she goes in it.
I bet that in a few days, she would appreciate her new "boudoir" :biglaugh:

 

[BeagleBabe]

I agree with Elenor...put the new crate next to the old one, move her stuff to the "new" crate and "crate train" her all over again, with the new crate.

 

[Quesoart]

Thanks Eleanor! Now I have a plan. I do have one more question, because this is the first time that we decided to crate train. I am home during the day and when we first brought Brie home she was going out every half hour or so. I pretty much put alot on hold to tend to her. Now that she is getting older, she doesn't have to go out as often, so I am trying to get back on schedule, but I find myself really torn about putting her in her crate while I am right here. Since I don't have eyes in the back of my head, I am finding it nearly impossible to keep up with her constantly, especially with the constant chewing. We are working on getting her to go into the crate on her own, but I think she is still too young and curious for that. I guess what I am asking is; is it alright to put her in her crate off and on throughout the day, for my sanity as well as hers??
Lora&Tippi and now Brie
"My little dog. A heartbeat at my feet."
Edith Wharton

 

[Murphys Dad]

I think so. Try having her in the crate when you are working, and if you decide to let her out, take her for a short walk before you let her roam the house. That way you will avoid accidents.
Try scheduling her being out when you take a break from work, that way you can also keep an eye on her.
Good-Luck.

BTW - post some pictures.... I want to see her.

 

[jeffmeden]

Quote:Originally posted by Lora&Tippi:
I guess what I am asking is; is it alright to put her in her crate off and on throughout the day, for my sanity as well as hers??

In my opinion, this is a perfect reason to put them in the crate. With one little one and one growing up, we have a handful whenever the dogs have the run of the house. I put them away when I need to really get something done, and they quiet down as usual and will be quite good for a few hours even when I am making enough noise to remind them that I'm there.

If they cry about it, try setting a goal of say 30 minutes, leave them in there that long then spring them, repeat this until they are ok with it then go for more. Eventually they should feel comfortable enough to climb right in (provided they don't have to potty) and hang out all day.

 

[gvschmokes]

We keep Beasley in her crate whenever we can't have her running around the house...Some nights we feel bad about how much time she spends in there, but overall she does very well with it...There is no whining or clawing at the crate unless she has to go to the bathroom.

 

[Smeagle]

Does she have bedding or a matress etc in her old crate? If so I would just transfer this to her new crate so it has the same smell as the old one.

It is absolutely fine to leave her in the crate throughout the day - that is why we have them - but I would be very careful to make sure that she only associates positive experiences with the crate. I feed my beagle in her crate, I give her a treat or toy to go in it (she now goes in it on command, which is useful, as I don't have to treat every time) and when she is sitting in her crate nice and quietly she gets a lot of praise.

Why not try getting a nice big fresh bone from the butcher, and giving it to Brie when she is in her crate during the day. This is what I have done with Daisy in the past and now she adores her crate and the first thing she does when I come home (she is outside when I'm not) is get in her crate.

A crate must feel warm and secure, it must never be a place a dog goes as punishment. I have a great crate training article if you would like to see it /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Quesoart]

Ok gang. I'm really losing it. I completely forgot that I posted about crates /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sleep.gif

Lora&Tippi...and now Brie

 

[Smeagle]

Quote:Originally posted by Lora&Tippi:
Ok gang. I'm really losing it. I completely forgot that I posted about crates /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sleep.gif

Lora&Tippi...and now Brie

Sure thing, it is not my article but an article written by a very knowlegable and highly regarded dog behaviourist, so I can't legally share it publicly. If you message me your email address I will happily send you a copy /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[Smeagle]

Quote:Originally posted by Smeagle:

Quote:Originally posted by Lora&Tippi:
Ok gang. I'm really losing it. I completely forgot that I posted about crates /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sleep.gif

Lora&Tippi...and now Brie

Sure thing, it is not my article but an article written by a very knowlegable and highly regarded dog behaviourist, so I can't legally share it publicly. If you message me your email address I will happily send you a copy /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Actually nevermind I will just PM you the article /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif