kimrose
Feisty
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| 08/23/2007 10:42 PM |
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Mic hasn't laid in his kennel for the past couple days. We did have him laying in there and to the point where he was comfortable enough to close his eyes and rest. But now, he won't even put his back legs in! As far as I know, nothing happened to scare him off, I mean, he's not afraid of it. We put treats in there, toys, even feed him in there and he seems perfectly fine with it. But he won't go in on his own all of a sudden. I was at the phase where I was going to try and close the door, but never got the chance! Any thoughts?
The kennel is sitting next to the couch where he usually naps on his bed (bed is now in the closet). It's not to hot. I'm not over cuddling him, in fact right now he's sleeping on the arm of the couch at the other end from me... |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/23/2007 10:45 PM |
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Not sure what you mean by "you never got the chance to close the door" (???)
You need to put him in the crate and close the door, Kim. Just put him in... give him a kong filled with peanut butter or some other treat to occupy him... if he won't go in on his own, put him in...
YOU are the boss... remember? |
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kimrose
Feisty
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| 08/23/2007 10:54 PM |
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what I meant by never shutting the door was that he would go in, and I would lean down to shut the door and he would get up quickly and come out. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so I would just wait and try for next time.... however next time hasn't come yet!
So what your saying is I should call him over to the kennel, get him to go in (not a problem) and then just tell him to stay, and close the door? He will listen, I'm sure of that, but I just didn't know if that would make him think it was a punishment, or make him not like it... I'm just in new territory with this and was trying to let him get used to it at his own pace... I'm just so scared that he will freak out if I force him to stay in...
I know, I'm a freak! I just want to do this the right way so bad that I think I'm over thinking it! |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/23/2007 11:00 PM |
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Absolutely... that's exactly what I'm saying. Either get him to go in on his own.... or lure him in with a treat.... or even if you have to pick him up and put him in it..... just close the door behind him. Don't give him the opportunity to come out. Always be sure to give him a treat and praise him when you put him in...
Kim...you are not a freak, silly. You just need to be more assertive. You ARE the boss... remember it, ok? You may have to deal with some crying, whining, etc...he may even freak out a little.... but we all have had to go through that to some extent. Some dogs are worse than others... but I don't know of many dogs that don't go through it. It does NOT mean that you are being cruel to Mic... and once he gets used to it, you'll be SO glad you got through it. When you leave, put him in his crate... shut the door... and leave. He's old enough to be left for long periods, but if it will make you feel better... start with short 1-2 hour periods.
I promise you... he WILL be fine... |
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kimrose
Feisty
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| 08/23/2007 11:18 PM |
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ok.. got it. I am the boss lady! I can do that  However, me and Kevin agreed to give it a try tomorrow. We thought about trying it out right now, but for one, we're going to bed soon and two, if he does make a fuss, its a little late and the walls here are very thin and we've already gotten 1 complaint about him! And we want to make this first try really mean something, be strong about it.... do not give in to his cries! I mean, we are supposed to be here (in the house) during his first time locked in, right? I believe I read that in the article you gave me.... ok, going to find it to make sure! 
don't worry, I always over-react more at night.. during the day I'm wearing my tough face! Thanks for the support! I just need things spelled out for me sometimes |
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GoldRushKennels
Rat Royalty
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| 08/24/2007 12:10 AM |
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Some like their kennel covered at night. Goes back to the wolf den.
Just something light will do it. Makes them feel safe. |
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Jeff & Janet
Gold Rush Kennels - Rat Terriers |
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kimrose
Feisty
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| 08/24/2007 12:16 AM |
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| really? that's pretty interesting! It makes sense... Although we're not going to crate him at night. I wonder if he would like it during the day... |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 5:26 AM |
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I agree with everything Nora said (of course  )! Just wanted to say that Daisy definitely seems to prefer having hers covered. I have a "throw" that covers the top, sides, and back. So only the front door side is left open. Good luck, Kim. Nora is right - Mic will be FINE  |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:19 AM |
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Bailey is ok with his crate covered or not covered... but seems to prefer it uncovered so he can see what's going on. (this IS a very nosy breed, after all! LOL)
But when we go to a dog trial, I ALWAYS cover the crate and so do 99% of the other dog owners. If they can't see what's going on, they are more apt to rest. |
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bethann
Terrier Terror
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| 08/24/2007 8:21 AM |
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| when we had Sadie we crated her. She would not go in on her own when we told her to, but if we picked her up and put her in there she would stay. She got a couple of treats or a cracker, and we would talk to her as we would leave. She never wined or barked. WHen we would come home she would always start wiggling around and wining a little, but that's just because she was excited and couldn't get to us. Once you do it once or twice it's not nearly as hard. We also didn't crate Sadie at night, but she did like to have her crate covered, especially if it was about to storm. |
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Beth, Sadies pooper scooper |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:22 AM |
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| Beth -- any chance of you getting an other rattie? I hope when the time is right, you'll consider it.... |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:24 AM |
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| Hey Tracey! You just continue to agree with everything I say, and we'll get along JUST FINE, ok? hahaha |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 8:25 AM |
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| From the beginning Daisy seemed to feel more "secure", I guess with it covered. But I'm sure each dog has its own preference -- you just have to decipher what it is!!! Good luck. |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 8:26 AM |
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Posted By rattytatty on 08/24/2007 8:24 AM
Hey Tracey! You just continue to agree with everything I say, and we'll get along JUST FINE, ok? hahaha
Of course, Nora, I always make it a point to agree with the smart people 
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 08/24/2007 8:27 AM |
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| LOL Suck up!! |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:28 AM |
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Posted By mario07 on 08/24/2007 8:27 AM
LOL Suck up!!
yeah... it's what we do for each other all the time! hahaha
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 08/24/2007 8:29 AM |
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Posted By rattytatty on 08/24/2007 8:28 AM
Posted By mario07 on 08/24/2007 8:27 AM
LOL Suck up!!
yeah... it's what we do for each other all the time! hahaha
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 8:30 AM |
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That's me !!!!
BTW, Shannon: Have I said lately how absolutely adorable you are? And funny, and smart, and a great mom - to human kids and fur? |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:30 AM |
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| But seriously... I have my issues too! If you don't believe it... you need to come and watch me try to teach Bailey the "back" command! He sits in front of me, and I say "back" and he'll back clear across the yard backwards.. (it's quite comical). But beside me? He's like "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" haha Last night about 10 minutes, I gave it up...we'll try again today. Amazing how this little dog who usually catches on so quickly... just simply isn't getting it !!! |
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mario07
Bratty Ratty
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| 08/24/2007 8:32 AM |
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Posted By DaisysMom on 08/24/2007 8:30 AM
That's me !!!!
BTW, Shannon: Have I said lately how absolutely adorable you are? And funny, and smart, and a great mom - to human kids and fur?
Okay, are you sucking up again?? 
Thanks, Tracey!! I'll accept that compliment even if you are joking!  I love you too!! |
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~~Shannon, Mario and Pepper's mom!~~
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 8:34 AM |
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No way was that a joke....YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!
I'm not really a suck up. I just calls 'em as I sees 'em. (Which is sometimes good....sometimes, not so much ) |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:36 AM |
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| Do either of you even care that I'm having difficulties???????/ HELLO? Quit sucking up and help me out here... |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 8:41 AM |
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HELP YOU???? WITH TRAINING??? Oh, um, er, ....
I have no idea, Nora, why Bailey will do it when sitting in front of you, but not when at your side. Are you using a hand signal when he's sitting in front of you? |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 8:49 AM |
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| This is one time I wish I just had someone to come DO IT FOR ME!!! Maybe I'll send him to Dave's bootcamp for a few days... wonder how he would get along with all the hardcore german shepherds? LOL He would probably learn how to climb a tree while there! haha |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 08/24/2007 8:52 AM |
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Bailey would run circles around the GSDs I'm sure.
Nora: I'm having a hard time picturing what it is he needs to do. He is sitting or standing at your side, correct? And he then has to move backwards (which he'll do, but only if you are standing in front of him facing him?). When he has to move backwards from a side positiion, will you be moving backwards with him? |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 08/24/2007 9:04 AM |
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Yes... when I walk backwards, he's supposed to walk backwards too by my side...
So I'm standing with him on my left on leash... and I have him between me and the brick retainer wall... (so he CAN'T go anywhere but "back"...) and he just is not getting it. He lays down... He sits.... he whines.... and he knows the "back" command.
So I take the leash off and try it... and he goes back just fine... but walks backwards so fast I can't even keep up! It's really weird and perhaps I'm not explaining it well...
And I guess I need to apologize for taking over Kim's crate problem thread... LOL
Dave showed me how to do it, using the air kong... but it simply isn't working. I guess I need to go back for further instructions. |
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kp_in_scott
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 08/25/2007 10:10 AM |
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Kim,
I want to encourage you to put Mic in and close the door! I was reluctant and didn't even start the crate training until Amos was over 5 months old. The crate has been a blessed relief for us. We mostly only crate him at night and after the first night, he was fine. Actually, the first night was pretty good cause he only barked a little bit. He does wake up early and bark to be let out to "go", but when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. Amos is a pretty large dog, so we have a BIG crate for him.(3 feet x 2 feet) But he's pretty content in there and does not have any "emotional distress" from his times of confinement. |
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Kim, owned by one sweet Rattie mix and one sweet Toy Rattie and a house full of parrots |
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