Will we ever get to let our dogs stop going in the kennel?

[sheltieluver]

Agree crate them. Gauge still doesn't have full run of the house when we arnt home. Hes not crated anymore but we close him in our bedroom. Make sure there is nothing he can get into. Usually someone is home but if I know my husband will be late and he will be left longer than normal I give him a good romp to tire him out. If you know they are destructive then crating is the best for them and their safety. Like someone suggested get a dog walker to come in mid day

[POPTOP]

Crate them. I know how you feel. Archie joined us a little over a year ago at 5 years old and he is still crated at times. He scared the dickens out of me one time by eating almost an entire box. He did not tear it up, he ate it. Was so worried about an obstruction.

Your pups will be OK. They think of it as their safe place, their den. And it is a safe place for your house and for them; they could get into some serious trouble causing themselves injury. Don't feel bad about it, you are protecting them. Given adequate exercise, physical and mental, during the times they are out, they will be just fine.

[dogmom]

Crate them. And stop placing human emotions and reactions on the dogs. They have no clue what is wrong, only that you are upset.
If you don't witness the infraction, you should not punish/correct. They have proven repeatedly they are not reliable loose in the house. They may never be reliable. But as others have stated, when you do try again, start with VERY short time frames. Gradually increase time. It may take months. We had one dog who was never reliable loose in the house (separation anxiety) but he loved his crate. Every dog is different. ..

[swanska]

. But as others have stated, when you do try again, start with VERY short time frames. Gradually increase time. It may take months. ..

And to follow up on this suggestion...when you finally do start practicing with uncrating, I recommend that you dog-proof the house. For over four years, I kept anything I cared about or felt was dangerous (including books, TV remotes, dishes, knives, etc) locked away or on shelves above 6'. My trainer gave me this direction and told me that I could never yell at or blame the dog for any destruction when I got home because it was my job to set the dog up for success not failure! She told me to glance at the chaos caused by me leaving something within his reach, take the dog out to the backyard to play fetch or for a walk and to breathe deeply. Then calmly go back inside and clean up.

My dog could not be crated -- he bit through the wire crate and caused himself some damage...so I confined him to the main floor with a baby gate. He is now 5.5 years and just two months ago, I removed the baby gate at the stairs and he now has the option of lying on my bed while I am away. So far -- no destruction.

[BeataK]

Crate them & don't feel bad. My Barney is 4.5 and is still crated - what's more I don't plan to decrate him.
Well crate-trained dog is happy in his crate. Since we bought Barney's crate our life is so much easier & stressless; I just regret that I made that decision so late. When we decided to have Shelby crate for her was there from day 1. The get treats, kongs in there + I always leave radio on.

[CraftHer]

Mocha is a year old and I'm not sure I'll ever feel comfortable leaving him uncrated while we're not there. It's for his safety as much as my peace of mind. I don't feel bad because he goes in willingly and sleeps. It's not a punishment, it's his den.

When we first got him, we left him gated in the kitchen. He ate the cabinets, a bread drawer and started peeling off the wall paper. After I calmed down, I saw so many other dangers he could have gotten into.

[chalstromn]

Thank you all for your reassurance. I was just so frustrated because I felt like it was something I could train and that we were failing as trainers of our dogs. They are such good dogs when we are around, they just struggle when we are not. But as others have said, its ok. Thank you for that!

And I am the last person to get upset by being told to treat them more like dogs. I have always thought that way, its just when that wasn't making sense to me anymore the most logical explanation is by putting what I know on them and that is human emotions. But you are right, they are just dogs. Loving and simple minded...man why can't I be more like that lol

Thanks again! They will be in crates for awhile now. I am definitely more at ease while at work now. Thanks again!

[Maxx&Emma]

I am so glad your pups will be secure and safe while you are at work! I know it has to feel so much better. I am very glad you did not take offense to not applying human emotions to them. Dogs do live in the moment, it would be great if we could as well, sometimes!

[ckfalz]

I had a mix that I had to crate for seven years. It's just how it was. He finally was trustworthy and spent the second half of his life un-crated.