[lindamarie]

I mainly work out of my home but in the last few days, I'm working outside the home more PLUS my dad is in the hospital and I visit him daily and of course worry.
My husband has taken time off to help train Bogie. Hubby has been a blessing with all I have going on right now. He's been very consistent and has done sooo much good for Bogie.
But........Bogie has had a few accidents. I feel like my head is swirling around and I'm constantly watching to see where he is and what he's up to.
Last night, something really strange happened. We were playing with him in the living room. My husband was reading a book on dog training and I went into the kitchen.
I asked where Bogie was.....he said he didn't know. I walked into my office where we have a bed for him for when I'm on the PC. He was pooping on his bed!...aaaaargh!! Can anyone tell me why the heck he'd go out of his way to poop on his bed?
This morning, I sat my husband down and told him Bogie had far tooooo much freedom and we're on constant watch. It's making us a little on the insane side.
So.........we bought another crate for the living room!!!! YAY!!!
I was able to go to work, work out, the hospital and hubby got some sleep on the couch next to the crate.
Next step is to leave the house and him alone a few hours. He so far feels non threatened and is going in and out of the crate on his own. I can't even tell you how HAPPY I AM!!!
Moral of the story......don't give a 9 week old pup as much freedom as we did and CRATE TRAIN them immediately!
I think everything might just be a bit easier now.....Phew!! I hope he'll be happy in the normal crate next to the bed tonight....if he is...we're on our way to near perfect!!

 

[blueteal]

Way to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crating is what we did............

 

[doodleheaven]

Hi Linda,

I'm glad the crate is working out. It is a godsend for us too. We use it mostly though when we go out. In the house we leash him. I usually attach the leash to a heavy chair or couch and then he feels like he has some freedom. He has never had an accident while on his leash and we've been using it from day one. They say it creates boundaries as does the crate and they won't go potty while leashed. So this could be an alternative you could try too along with crating. We also leash him to our bed at night instead of the crate. So far so good. It seems as soon as Bailey has freedom though he too will go. It's getting better but if he is not crated or leashed I need to watch him like a hawk too. It's exhausting.

 

[lindamarie]

This leashing sounds good! Bogie, for now however, is freaking out and somewhat maniacal when leashed. I'd love to get him to that point! We need to take him to puppy school fast, but until his stools are negative twice....we're on our own...

 

[MaxandMe]

I never used crates till I had doodles and OMG they are a godsend at times especially with puppies.

i have two crates for Beau: one in my bedroom and one downstairs

all my doodles have a 'nap" time when I am home and during weekends.


we tethered all 3 doodles when they were young puppies so we could keep a watchful eye on them. NOW while my doodles will easily go into their crates if asked (except Peanut :wink: ) none use it freely as they prefer their doggy beds.

Sounds like Bogie is doing quite well and a smart one too

 

[Guest]

Maya didn't really like her leash at first either so what I was told to do was leave it on her and just let it drag behind her wherever she went in the house. A few days of that and no more leash problem.

I'm glad Bogie likes his crate. Maya hates hers and cries and barks everytime I had put her in it. So this last week I have been giving her free reign and she has been much less upset by me leaving. She walks me to the door and then probably goes and lays down. No barking. Tonight is the big test....I have Christmas party to go to and she will be alone for about 6 hours and I am giving her free reign. Wish us luck!!!

 

[gene]

Good luck Heather!! All three of mine have freedom now, so far so good!!

Maya.....be a good girl! Freedom is wonderful!!

The Ohio trio

 

[lindamarie]

Maya be good! How did the 6 hours of freedom go?
Bogie has really finally adjusted. He likes his crate in the living room far better than the bedroom.
He's spending more time in his crate now then ever and seems to like it! I never thought this would totally work!
Yesterday, I was hanging Christmas lights outside. He could see me through the window. Once when I went back into the yard, he started yelping.....lol....but settled down after about 5 minutes.
Cheers for crates!

 

[annabelles mom]

Maya - congratulation sweetie, I hope you did well while Mommy was at her Christmas party !

Gene, that is awesome that all 3 are doing so good with free reign

Boggie - good for you for doing better in your crate !

 

[Guest]

I came home last night and went on a search for something chewed, broken, or other wise doodlized and NOTHING was touched!!! And she was so much less stressed. Looks like she will have freedom for now!!!

 

[blueteal]

Way to go Maya
Freedom is good, I got mine a while back and
I have been a good boy but them cats of mine are little stinkers........

Woof woof

Denver

 

[lindamarie]

YAY! MAYA!! Good doodle!
BTW.....how old is Maya? I can't wait to have this happen! Of course, Bogie is just short of 11 weeks.....I'm SURE I have a long way to go!

 

[Guest]

Maya just turned 7 months. That is why I was so worried leaving her. She really has never chewed anything she shouldn't in the house so I figured I may be crazy but I'll try and see what she will do.

 

[mtd885]

Tethering works too. Just be sure not to tether unless you are in the same room as the dog. You can also tether to yourself so you know where he is at all times. Leaving the leash on works great as well (I've used heavy Ribbon). Hope this helps...mtd

 

[lindamarie]

My Springer was tethered as a pup in the yard for short periods of time until we got a gate.
Question? Why are breeders putting in contracts that you agree to NOT tether a dog?? We had to sign that... :roll:

 

[movistar]

they probably had an "issue" with tethering in the past.

with that said I am certain they dont mean tethered to your side while in the house which many people do as a training tool

 

[lindamarie]

they probably had an "issue" with tethering in the past.

with that said I am certain they dont mean tethered to your side while in the house which many people do as a training tool

I think you're right........Hey! How do you like our snow day neighbor!!!???? Bogie was sooooo cute out there! We had to snowblow the backyard to let his small little body get out to do his business!! :lol:

 

[Jac]

I think that the tethering you are referring to, that breeders dont' like, is tethering the pup outside, on a line or a steak. Especially these dogs, they are so sensitive and really need to be near their pack. Leaving them alone in the yard is really unkind for them.
Tethering them to you is a great tool. That way you can REWARD good behavior and CORRECT unwanted behavior. It is just as important to reward and praise when you see Bogie doing something good, like looking at you when you call his name, or sitting (even if he didn't mean to) or being "quiet"...believe me, they know.
9 weeks is really too young for any pup to be left alone and expected to be potty trained or not to destroy things. Like children, some can, but most can't ... it takes consistency to train your pup and you need to work on it daily.
Crate training is wonderful if you don't use the crate as punishment. Sounds like you are on the right track. Here are a couple of good links:
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html (read all the way down for potty training ideas.)
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=1611

 

[lmtoth2]

OMG Jac...I love your avitar!!!

 

[annabelles mom]

OMG Jac...I love your avitar!!!

DITTO