Crate Training Plateau

Tbh I think the real problem is I'm a novice dog owner and overthinker by nature, trying to navigate various conflicting information/opinions about dog care and training. I needed to bring Ivy to work this week which involved staying in another house. I anticipated crating her much more than I needed to in the end. I was worried about her managing it and how to help her out without making things worse. Sometimes she does get upset in there and barks (her version of barking) and we had an experience where I did push to far and she was too distressed to be left (for her own good and sake of neighbourly relations).
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
Tbh I think the real problem is I'm a novice dog owner and overthinker by nature, trying to navigate various conflicting information/opinions about dog care and training. I needed to bring Ivy to work this week which involved staying in another house. I anticipated crating her much more than I needed to in the end. I was worried about her managing it and how to help her out without making things worse. Sometimes she does get upset in there and barks (her version of barking) and we had an experience where I did push to far and she was too distressed to be left (for her own good and sake of neighbourly relations).
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Does she settle in the car if you have to take her to work? I think she’s a lurcher - is she warm enough in the crate?
 
It's funny because greyhounds are often touted as great dogs for first-time owners, which in a lot of ways they are, but some of their traits are very odd in dog-terms ? They don't tend to emote as much as a 'normal' dog so you have to do a bit of guesswork sometimes. I've had a to learn a lot about prey drive and reactivity with mine, which has been challenging but all useful stuff for the future.

I agree that you're doing a great job with Ivy and you still haven't had her that long, really! I relate to your words a lot because Joe was/is my first ever dog and having him definitely caused a lot of anxiety in me in the first year or so (I'm just that sort of worrier as well) but in the end he's helped my general anxiety beyond measure. And I feel like with my second dog I'll be able to be much more relaxed having learned so much from having him.
 
Spotherisk said:
Does she settle in the car if you have to take her to work? I think she’s a lurcher - is she warm enough in the crate?
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She does seem to settle in the car but there's no shade to park in. I think she'd be more disturbed by people walking to and fro past the car than she is in the house.

Today has been challenging. Shes stole another hunk of bread and a bag of flour. My dog is obsessed with carbs it would seem. Is this normal?!

This evening she is really struggling to settle. She was crying in the crate even with me sat next to her. We've compromised with her being on lead to keep her out of mischief. I'm really working hard to keep calm and be patient with both of us.

Everyone at work and OH's parent adore her but I'm finding it quite stressful. Thankfully others at work are more experienced dog owners and Ivy actually came to work to be office assistant while I worked.
 
I’m not sure of her motivation to steal but Pen will counter surf if possible so I really am very diligent about things being out of reach. Could she have tummy ache, hence the not settling?
The lead is a good idea. Do whatever works to give you less stress.
 
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Hah cheeky girl - having tall dogs is definitely a great lesson in keeping a minimalist kitchen/pushing everything right to the back!

Does she need to be in the crate in the evenings or is it just because you're trying to get her happy with it? I think you're doing the right thing taking her out of there when she's not happy, you don't really want her to associate any distress with being in there. Lead is a good compromise if you need to keep an eye on her.
 
At home we're really good at keeping things dog proof. She's trained us well! It's because we're away from home again. Sometimes I've found the containment of the crate, with me around, helps her chill out if she's wandering around unsettled. The environment in the house is a bit tense just now so we went out for a nice sniffari in the garden to chill us both out.
 
SaddlePsych'D said:
At home we're really good at keeping things dog proof. She's trained us well! It's because we're away from home again. Sometimes I've found the containment of the crate, with me around, helps her chill out if she's wandering around unsettled. The environment in the house is a bit tense just now so we went out for a nice sniffari in the garden to chill us both out.
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Ah yes much harder than when you aren’t at home.
 
Clodagh said:
I wonder if one of those stress relief plug in things would help? Does she take her bed and bedding with her when she relocates?
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Yes everything comes with us.

I'm so proud of her. We've been bumbling around the house on the lead. She brought me over to her crate and climbed in. I've closed the door and she is much more settled. Phew!

Heck I'd try the plug in for my stress relief purposes!
 
ellieb said:
I think you're doing the right thing taking her out of there when she's not happy, you don't really want her to associate any distress with being in there. Lead is a good compromise if you need to keep an eye on her.
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Orrr you can teach the dog if it whinges, it can get out of whatever it doesn't like doing.
The pinching thing could be stress and/or the need to self comfort/possess something in her mouth/eat comfort food.
 
Clodagh said:
I wonder if one of those stress relief plug in things would help?
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That's a good shout. I was a bit skeptical about adaptil because of the varying reviews (I guess it works for some and not others) but I bought one of the adaptil collars for Joe last year to wear for a couple of weeks before and during a stay away at a holiday cottage. He'd always previously taken a day/night to settle in new places but this time he settled really quickly, and when someone let fireworks off nearby (grrr) one evening he still got frightened but again was able to settle quite quickly afterwards. I was impressed!
 
CorvusCorax said:
Orrr you can teach the dog if it whinges, it can get out of whatever it doesn't like doing.
The pinching thing could be stress and/or the need to self comfort/possess something in her mouth/eat comfort food.
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I'm very careful to time when I go back to crate and/or open door to try to avoid this.

That's a great point about pinching things. At home she's got into pinching our loo rolls. Last time I just left her to it in the garden and it was interesting that she only went to shred it when I went near. I'd love her to have some more things that are hers. Chews, kongs etc she is left well alone with to enjoy with no pressure or stress. Interestingly overnight she had pinched a doll, the sort of thing she might otherwise destroy. Instead she brought it to OH as a gift this morning. It appeared she had just kept them with her in the crate to 'cuddle'
 
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