Crate training new dog

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scoobdog

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Hi all

Been lurking on here a while but a new addition has me looking for some advice sorry if this is a bit long!

I rehomed Lola who is a 1 year old brindle lurcher bitch last Thursday the 10th September (not long I know) She was in the kennels as in previous home apparently been destructive and as a consequence of this they kept her either shut in the garden or locked in the porch :( she was nearly house trained and had a recall was good with kids etc. After she met Scooby my older male lurcher and they got on ok I decided to take her home.

Got her home and she has a beautiful nature is indeed fab with my niece and nephews and loves other dogs. Half her problems have very quickly been resolved by lots of exercise which she loves and burns a lot of the excess energy she was bottling up and driving her mad.

She is like my other lurcher in that she wants to know where you are and is a bit of a shadow. After a few days settling in I decided I had to begin trying leaving her in house building up slowly. To begin with I did 10 minutes, moved everything I thought she could reach and left. I was outside out of sight and she barked continuously! Came back and she had pulled a few things down but that was my fault for not moving them.

Tried a bit longer over next few days but she didn't settle and managed to pull over a bin containing about 10kg of Scoobys food over and scattered it everywhere and no doubt wolfed a good deal of it. Returned home to this and poor calm easy going Scooby looking a bit stressed and decided couldn't go on like this.

I have never used a crate or had a dog that's needed one but after a bit of research decided to try one with Lola. Bought right size for her set it up and kitchen and just left it for day or 2 with door open. Then found a plan I liked so got her going into it with treats to extent if I said 'go to bed' she'd walk in and get a treat.

Then moved on to closing the door feeding her treats and extending time left in there with me there. I then moved on to sitting with her in same room with door closed for about an hour and she was fab, flat out sound asleep. Next was me moving out the room with her shut in again building up time till we managed 45 with eventually no noise or barking.

The next step was obviously to leave the house. First ten minutes she was great ate her pigs ear and when I came back she was lying down. Stepped up to 20 minutes and she barked constantly :( never ate her chew. Been advised not to be soft and keep going so did 45 minutes then an hour but again she barked constantly. Barking and whining and ignoring treats left for her.

When I came in today she had stopped barking for around 5 minutes and was lying down and had eaten food I had left for her.

So I guess the point to this absolutely epic post is to say am I doing right or wrong? Should I persevere as I am going and apologise to neighbours for a bit!? Is she just demanding attention or stressed? I think that having a laid back older lurcher has made me forget what work is required.

She is a lovely dog with a beautiful loving nature and I want to do the best for her but must remember she's only been here a week!

Thank you if you even got this far!!
 
amymay said:
Where is your other dog when she's in the crate? And what do you do with them overnight?
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Hi Amymay

He's normally asleep in the living room out the way. He doesn't go near her when she's in the crate. Scooby sleeps beside me on my bed always has done! She has a bed on my room floor and sleeps there and has been really good about staying there all night so far.
 
Mmmm, I'm sure others more experienced than me may disagree.

But..... You're shutting her in a cage and depriving her of your company (and security) and her new canine mate. I'd howl too.

Are you not able to make the kitchen/utility room totally dog proof so that they can stay in the same room when you leave them (with her uncrated)?
 
I totally understand where you are coming from but I genuinely think she's not bothered about my other dog it's me or at least human company anyway.

My problem is that Scooby is a rescue dog too he's been here 4 years now and actually behaves like a normal dog now it's taken a while like years. I'm loath to change his routine now, he has the run of the whole house without issue, because I have chosen to introduce another dog.

I want her to fit in with us but not to her detriment and I was hoping the crate was the solution to that if that makes sense?
 
I would keep going, you are doing really well. Perhaps he could be in sight of her when she is in the crate?
Cayla on here has a good crate training guide, Perhaps pm her? I have never trained an older dog, only a pup and it sounds to me as though you are doing the right things.
Could you stuff and freeze a Kong for her so it takes a long time to chew? Put her in the crate and shut her in and ignore her while remaining in sight. Cover the back and sides so it is like a cave.
 
Clodagh said:
I would keep going, you are doing really well. Perhaps he could be in sight of her when she is in the crate?
Cayla on here has a good crate training guide, Perhaps pm her? I have never trained an older dog, only a pup and it sounds to me as though you are doing the right things.
Could you stuff and freeze a Kong for her so it takes a long time to chew? Put her in the crate and shut her in and ignore her while remaining in sight. Cover the back and sides so it is like a cave.
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Thanks Clodagh appreciated. That would involve him getting off the couch he loves his comfort :D

I think perseverance is the way forward it's just been a lot of work this week and think it was all getting to me. She's a sweetheart and it's not her fault she's been taught nothing.

Should have said I got her a kong and she liked it initially hopefully once she settles she'll go back to it. I always make sure I put a tasty treat in with her. Have put blanket over top too.

Just a bit more work required I think!
 
I would go back a step or 2. Set her up to succeed, so just repeat your strategy with shorter increments in the length of time you leave her for. What has she been sleeping on when she is not in the crate? Can you put that bed in the crate, so that she knows she is expected to sleep in there?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would go back a step or 2. Set her up to succeed, so just repeat your strategy with shorter increments in the length of time you leave her for. What has she been sleeping on when she is not in the crate? Can you put that bed in the crate, so that she knows she is expected to sleep in there?
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That's what I was thinking maybe I've rushed her a bit. I left her for half an hour last night and was lot more successful only a few barks compared to continously. She's got her own bed that's a good idea I'll put it in there so she associates it with sleep. Thanks!
 
Is she a big dog? did you say she sleeps alone downstairs at night with no fuss, or that she is crated downstairs overnight and does make a fuss? you are doing the right thing creating a routine in order for her to feel secure in her own company and not being constantly dependant upon yours it just takes a little time to get the routine in place. She needs to spend quite a bit of time in the crate at first with you in the house, If you can message me an email I will send a guide and you can see if there is anything in there that will help that you have not thought of.
 
CAYLA said:
Is she a big dog? did you say she sleeps alone downstairs at night with no fuss, or that she is crated downstairs overnight and does make a fuss? you are doing the right thing creating a routine in order for her to feel secure in her own company and not being constantly dependant upon yours it just takes a little time to get the routine in place. She needs to spend quite a bit of time in the crate at first with you in the house, If you can message me an email I will send a guide and you can see if there is anything in there that will help that you have not thought of.
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Hi Cayla. She is roughly small greyhound size I would say. She sleeps upstairs at night on the floor with no fuss. Had a bit of a breakthrough today she settled a lot more today came back after an hour to find her lying down and quiet so fingers crossed! I make sure I feed her in crate too so that she doesn't just associate it with me leaving. As you say just going to take time and establish a routine. I'll send you a message now. Thanks for the advice appreciated!
 
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