Planning for chaos! Dog crates question

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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In September, I'm due to have little springer on doggy day and night care, while the in-laws are away on their holidays!!
Big trouble is, little springer is a big pain in the behind. She means well, and is a sweet little dog, but will not stop. Duracell bunny on an over dose of speed after raiding the smarties springs to mind. Her manners are non existent and her obedience long gone. I've got my work cut out. I live in a bungalow, so if she is 'free range' she will tear about and raid every room, which includes crashing into/jumping up at doors if they are closed to get in, only to fly back out again. I've got 2 children, and obviously their toys are like AMAZING to her, and her recall is, well not about, and her ability to chew is high!!
So, I've enlisted the thought of borrowing a cage/crate (whatever you call them) which is MASSIVE off a friend who has put 6 orphan lambs in it at one point!
Trouble is, I know she isn't ''crate trained'', so I'm concerned its going to look cruel to suddenly 'lock her away'. I make sure my dog is walked/free range on the estate for at least 2 hours every day, which is about 1hr 40 more than little springer is used to, so ever hopeful I can tire her out too!
As for walking on the lead - another story.

Thoughts on crate please.
 
I suspect thst with the increase in exercise she'll calm down. Personally I wouldn't crate her, and if you think it's going to be nightmare - suggest kennels instead.
 
Crates are a Godsend - Yes get one. Amymay - you have a bichon pup, a poorly trained young springer is a totally different kettle of fish.
PM Cayla and she will send you her crate raining guide, I think a donation to her rescue is appreciated.
 
I don't disagree with crating at all. But wonder if it will help a dog on holiday who's never been in one - after all it couldn't be in there for any length of time.
 
amymay said:
......... Personally I wouldn't crate her, and if you think it's going to be nightmare - suggest kennels instead.
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amymay said:
......... But wonder if it will help a dog on holiday who's never been in one - after all it couldn't be in there for any length of time.
Click to expand...

I agree. If this puppy (?) is as manic as you say, and if there has been no discipline at all, then firstly a cage will be likely to make matters worse, in that when you let it out, the resultant blast may be more than you or the dog can cope with, and if she's as advanced as you say, then I'd also suggest boarding kennels.

Alec.
 
Ime crates are only good if the dog is used to them , otherwise they cause more stress and problems to both dog and human , if too much suggest boarding kennels , or do a trial weekend with said dog before they go away . Springers are bundles of fun but budles more craziness . Our springer pup is the easiest dog I've ever known but then I've grown u wth collies, cockers and have a saluki x ;) they are highly intelligent dogs who need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise . Ours is crated at night and if I go out during the day although I'm now leaving him uncreated if I just pop to the shops , he wil and does chew anything , he has now discovered swimming, brilliant for a young puppy like him as tiring but kind on his joints , if u have a nearby beach which is dog friendly I recommend it or a safe river to swim in ......

Good luck
 
Kennels is not an option. I've agreed to have the dog - and they want me to train her - well at least set some boundries. My life style is suitable for dogs, but her 'nuttiness' is just crazy, and I know our sanity will suffer, (and kids toys, clothes, my dog, dinner on the table....and computer wires!). I'll either have to work darn hard to get something back, or have the crate to help me. She'll whine for sure, and pee with excitement when let loose and go crazy - I can cope with short bursts of crazy, just not all the time. I have to admit, I 'm liking the crate idea more and more, and having just spent a week with said dog on a campsite, even more now!
 
ps, rivers are good, I agree... but this is one crazy little young dog who goes in, doesn't come out easily and drinks herself sick. She has an over infactuation with water.
 
If you can exercise her before you introduce the crate then as soon as you get home introduce the crate with a raw bone to gnaw on. Make sure the bone isnt very meaty because if she eats a big meal straight after exercise it could cause her to be very poorly. Make her as tired as possible then pop her in the crate with the bone for about 30 minutes. Make sure you open the crate up whilst she is still busy, dont wait until she is bored before you let her out. If she really hates it and is barking and panicking set up a room with a baby gate across the room- dont close the door. Failing all that do you have a dog creche near you?
 
if from what i have read they currently only get 20 minutes exercise a day- it is no wonder they are a nutter! my friends have a springer and he is quiet and usually on his bed at home- because he is out and about all day with a landscape gardener and spends the first 1-2 hours in the morning on the farm while my friend does her horses. so hopefully they wont be as disruptive or destructive as you will exercise them a lot more. they are very bright and will probably do very well with boundaries!

i don't know much about crates- dogs who are used to them love them but agree i'm not sure what they would make of suddenly being put in one. how do they cope in their house normally?
 
amyhatcher said:
If you can exercise her before you introduce the crate then as soon as you get home introduce the crate with a raw bone to gnaw on. Make sure the bone isnt very meaty because if she eats a big meal straight after exercise it could cause her to be very poorly. Make her as tired as possible then pop her in the crate with the bone for about 30 minutes. Make sure you open the crate up whilst she is still busy, dont wait until she is bored before you let her out. If she really hates it and is barking and panicking set up a room with a baby gate across the room- dont close the door. Failing all that do you have a dog creche near you?
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As opposed as I am to putting dogs in cages, the above post is as well thought through as any that I've read on here, and for some while. Well said amyhatcher, and an excellent first post.

Alec.
 
Just to say that a lot of dogs can take to a crate quite quickly even if they have never been crated before. Obviously it needs to be done in a sensible manner, similar to the approach suggested by Amyhatcher. We had to take my mum's dog (who was 10 years old at the time) in suddenly when mum was taken ill and for various reasons we introduced her to being crated at times and she accepted it very quickly and easily. I can't quite see why a boarding kennels is a better option, I would have thought that would be more confusing and frustrating for the dog (if not previously kennelled) than being in a family home and being crated for some of that time.
 
We had an 8 month old petit griffon de vendee that we took on from owners that couldn't cope, she had no training, was a total nightmare and nearly pulled your arms out on the lead. We tried a crate, but dog was totally manic in it. This is the only dog we've had that we couldn't cope with and finally rehomed it through the Breed rescue. at least you are only doing a week so you have an end in sight !
 
Thanks everyone for replies. All taken on board.
Her owners have baby style gates to stop her going upstairs, and to stop her crashing into their patio doors - I'll ask to borrow one at least, to keep her in the kitchen.
Still, hoping that our walks and daily freedom will tire her out. Just got to make plans on lead training and recall!
 
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