Dexter's Mommy
Newbie
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| 10/01/2007 2:03 PM |
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Hi everyone!
So, I'm a new mommy to my little boy Dexter. He belonged to a friend of mine who was suffering from cancer, and obviously was at home all day long with Dex. My friend passed away last month, and I adopted his little buddy. I want absolutely nothing but the best for my little guy, but my fiance and I both work during the day, so I'm having to crate train him.
From what I know, he's just under a year old (I've not gotten the papers from the family yet). My problem is, he's an escape artist. I bought one of the medium sized wire crates from Wal-Mart....which I'm also worried about because he likes to stretch out when he sleeps, and he can't stretch out in it. So at first he actually would pull the front wall down and jump out. Well, I fixed that problem with some zip ties and a pair of pliars. Now, the little devil has figured out how to open it up, same as you and I would. Who knew how smart this breed is?!?
Suggestions....ANYONE?!? My fiance is about to flip his lid because one he "breaks out", he's tearing the carpet up under our bedroom door trying to get out into the living room to terrorize my cats!!! I feel bad having to put him in there to begin with, but I'm hoping he'll get the hang of it because he's still got a lot of puppy in him. Please let me know what I can do to make him more comfortable, and get him to stop breaking out!!!
THANKS FOR YOU HELP!
Danielle |
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tiggarat
Bratty Ratty
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| 10/01/2007 2:17 PM |
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Welcome! I'm sorry to hear about your friend, but thankful that you adopted her dog. Yeah, these little guys are extremely smart...almost too smart! I don't know anything about crate training, sorry. But I'm sure our training mod will be able to help.  |
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Lisabeth
furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie)
Buddy - gone but never forgotten.
"I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith |
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jingebri
Terrier Terror
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| 10/01/2007 2:20 PM |
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Hello! And welcome..
Maybe instead of having a wire crate try a plastic crate. He shouldn't be able to open the door then! |
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-Jen-
mama to Izzy |
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 10/01/2007 2:33 PM |
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First, thank you for giving him a home! These guys can be very smart and therefore sometimes frustrating and being a puppy he probably has no training, wants to chew everything, etc. The plastic crate might be a good idea and also do check out the crate training post at the top of the page.
One thing I would suggest is that you make sure he gets a lot of exercise - "a tired rattie is a good rattie"! And some good chew toys to keep him occupied, maybe also a kong for when he's crated.
Has he been around the cats at all? Usually cats and dogs will work out their boundaries between themselves...there may be a lot of hissing and growling involved but hopefully no injuries. It might be easier to get them to live together peacefully rather than having to worry about keeping always separate. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
at www.newrattitude.org
Pics of my current fosters:
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/caradoc
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/willow
http://imageevent.com/newrattitude/fiona
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 10/01/2007 2:41 PM |
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Well, thank you for taking him in. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I would agree with much of the recommendations already mentioned, especially lots of exercise before being put in the crate and perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter or another treat that he only gets when in the crate. Definitely read the crate training thread Mary Beth mentioned....lots of helpful tips there.
I hope you're able to get some of these issues under control really soon. We'd love to see some pics of your new buddy |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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Kathie Marler
Terrier Terror
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| 10/01/2007 3:01 PM |
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| I'm very sorry to hear about your frend, but how wonderful of you to open your house to her little guy. Dexter sounds like he is really smart, can't wait to see photo's. We have Oreo in a hard plastic crate, it works well for her and the little magician hasn't gotten out yet! Good luck with Dexter and welcome. |
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Dexter's Mommy
Newbie
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| 10/01/2007 3:04 PM |
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You know....I don't know WHY I didn't think of that already!!! Thank you so much for the advice! |
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Dexter's Mommy
Newbie
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| 10/01/2007 3:06 PM |
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We're working on the new toys. I hadn't heard of a "Kong" before today, but I'll definately go check that out tonight. Sounds like an excellent excuse for a trip to PetCo! I really like the idea of a "special treat" just for crate time. That sounds like an excellent tip!!! He will do ANYTHING for a treat! |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 10/01/2007 3:14 PM |
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Kong's are hard rubbery-type and hollow AND virtually indestructible (at least so far) because you never want to leave them with something they could choke on.
I trained Daisy that she got liver treats whenver it was time to go to crate. Now when I say, "Go to crate" she runs into at about 50 mph LOL and turns and lies down and waits for me to come with her treat. |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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Dexter's Mommy
Newbie
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| 10/01/2007 3:22 PM |
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So far so good with the cats. We have an older 25 lb orange tabby that couldn't care less about a new play puppy in the house....so they get along pretty well. They sniff noses and go on about their business. My little calico is younger though, and hasn't really been around dogs much. She runs......he chases. No injuries....but not very nice words spoken between the two of them either. 
Sorry for all the responses here! I'm new to message boards also!!! I'll get the hang of it though, promise!!! |
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DaisysMom
Moderator
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| 10/01/2007 3:29 PM |
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I agree with letting the cats/dog work out their problems as much as possible. If the cat has claws, I'd keep an eye on the situation, but your new pup should learn quickly when the cat has had enough  Daisy is very lucky that my cats are really tolerant LOL!! |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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Caesar & Julia's mom
Alpha Feist
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| 10/01/2007 4:50 PM |
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| Welcome!!!! Very sorry to hear about your friend~ sounds like you have a very busy puppy!!!hehehe I've got one of those too! I agree with the plastic crates...we use them for both our ratties and have never had any problems with them getting out. Good luck with Dexter and be sure to post lots and lots of pictures!!! |
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Diane~ loved by Caesar and Julia
"Don't count the days, make the days count..."
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buttonbutt
Newbie
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| 10/01/2007 7:30 PM |
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Welcome to the group Danielle! So sorry to learn of the loss of your friend recently. But they would be pleased to know their beloved pet, Dexter is being cared for and loved. What a lovely thing for you to do, not just for the dog, but your friend.
Gee, I didn't know dogs could get out of wire crates. But I've used the plastic kind with all my dogs. I doubt your Dexter can open that kind!  The latches are very stiff on the two I have, and a rod goes down into the frame so they can't get out, I don't think. Hope that works for ya. Fill your Puppy Kong with peanut butter and freeze it. Should last most of the day that way. And get him some nylabones to chew on. Maybe one of those balls you can put treats in that releases one at a time would be good, too, for while you're at work. I wouldn't give him squeaky toys when you're gone. These little guys can chew soft toys up really fast and get that squeaker out & choke on it.
Can't wait to see pics of Dexter! |
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rattytatty
Newbie
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| 10/01/2007 10:39 PM |
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First and foremost... bless you for taking little Dexter into your home. So many dogs end up in shelters as a result of the death of his/her owner. Dexter is fortunate. I would HIGHLY recommend the hard plastic pet kennel rather than the wire crate. And yes... do put peanut butter in a kong and freeze it. It will occupy him for a long time. Give him bully sticks to chew on (but only if you are around... don't leave him alone to chew on them... they are much healthier than rawhide).
Can't wait to see some pictures of this little guy! |
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