[Bustersmommy]

CRATE............You will find that they will go in there on there own after getting use it.Buster gets put in his crate when we are not home or can not keep an eye on him.When he is out we leave the crate door open and he will go in there to sleep.They find it as a place of there own,a place were the can get away from everyone.I have two blankets and his bed in there along with a toy.Havent had one problem with it.I also used the crate for Molly my 7 year old dal and she no longer needs it since she out grew the puppy faze.You will find it will save you lots of $$$$ in repairs :wink:
It takes them a little while to get use to and they will cry but wait 15 minutes go back in the room so that you can be seen then step back out for another 15 minutes.With doing this you are reassuring your dog that all is fine.In time there will be no crying or whining while in there.Buster only cried for three days and that was it.Best of luck to you.

 

[Bustersmommy]

I am not saying they should or shouldn't crate but simply letting them know what I do and my experience. Myself I agree 8 hours is long in a crate but I also think 8 hours is to long for a pup to be left alone whether it is in a crate or a room.Why get a pup if you are going to be gone for 8 or more hours.How is that fair to the dog.It's not.Just M/O

 

[Bustersmommy]

Well, it's not fair that people have to work for a living and HAVE to be gone for 8-9 hrs a day. Yeah, it's a long time, but that really can't be helped, unless you live with your parents or are somehow independently wealthy. So, people with jobs shouldn't have a puppy?

The only reason I'm repeating that he does not want to crate the dog, is because that's what everyone keeps suggesting. He is aware that he CAN crate her, but it is important that he knows he doesn't HAVE to and that there are other options.

So, people with jobs shouldn't have a puppy?
Again this is just M/O
I do feel it is unfair for the pup to be home all day stuck to one room or a crate for long periods of time.I feel that people should wait to get a pup till they have the TIME to train and spend with it.For people that work all day they should look into an older dog, one that doesn't need constant attention like a puppy.If I worked all day there is no way I would of gotten a puppy.I just feel it is unfair to the pup.
You are right about him NOT having to crate that there are other options and one that may be better for him.Hell, as long as he finds one that works and keeps the pup from chewing the home apart GREAT!!!!!

 

[Bustersmommy]

Woops, I quoted wrong..........LOL

 

[Bustersmommy]

I disagree. Most of the dogs I had growing we got as pups, three were adopted, my mom worked to earn a living. We didn't win the lottery. Most people that own dogs HAVE JOBS AND LIVES. Just because you can't spend every waking moment with your dog, does not in any way mean you don't have time to train them or that you are doing the dog an injustice. I work and I trained my dog myself. How do you pay your way if you don't have a full-time job? And what would make you think that you can't leave a dog at home for 8 hours while you do what you need to do to survive? That's ridiculous.

I am NOT saying that you need to spend every waking moment with your dog.I never said that and I myself dont do that.I have three kids to tend to.Put your self in that puppies place.Being locked up for 8 hours,not being let out to go potty,no one to play with ,board and kept to one room or crate for 8 hours a day.That would suck.You asked how I live if I dont work.My husband is a general contractor for a family buisness,we do alright.I am a stay at home mom of three kids.You stated that most people who have dogs have JOBS & LIVES.So what, just because I do not have to work I dont have a life?You will find many on here that dont have to work and many that do.You see many people get a pup and work and come home to find there house destroyed and they don't understand why and get rid of the pup.Or they come home to a very hyper dog and cant deal with it again get rid of the dog.YES,there are many that dont have this happen.I have seen both from previously working at a veterinary office.We would get calls like this" I locked my pup up in a room and went to work and when I came home everything in that room was destroyed,what do I do? Or one like this: My pup seems to be very hyper when we get home from work what can we do about this? Very common questions.Unless you can get someone to let you pup out through out the day (and I am talking during the housebreaking months)and possibly play you are bond to have problems and it is a KNOWN FACT.

*** Maybe you are not understanding me but everything that I have written is just on the PUPPY FASES.Housebraking,chewing,biting and so on.Once they hit a certain age and are housebroken then no need to be constantly on them .Puppies need to be let out at least every hour in the beginning so if you work a 8 hour day how does that pup get let out unless you have someone to let him or her out?How does that pup get completely housebroken?Especially if no one is able to let it out during the day? Most pups eat three small meals a day.How does that pup get it's lets say it's lunch?When does the pup get water during that 8 hour day?

 

[Bustersmommy]

Also when you go to get a dog from a breeder or go to adopt one they ask " Were will this dog be kept during the day?".
Will it be home alone for any long periods of time? Will there be someone to let it out and play with it during the day? Most will not adopt out a pup if it is going to be home alone for long periods of time.At least were I live that's how it is.There is a reason for them to ask those questions and reasons why they wont adopt out if the pup is going to be home alone for long periods of time.I know when we got our pup the breeder asked these questions and when I mentioned that he would be crated when we were not home he wanted to know around how many hours the pup would be crated for.If it was for long periods of time I dont think we would of gotten out pup.As they get older its not as bad because they are able to hold themselves longer with the "going potty" and dont need as much attention as a pup would.

 

[Bustersmommy]

I am not jumping on anyone just simply making points as you are.We both have made our points/our opinions.
Letting it rest!!!!!

 

[Bustersmommy]

Let me apologize..................SORRY. I really don't have the time to go back and re-read what everyone wrote. I hop on and off this computer with having kids and dogs and a hubby.I will be sure to re-read everything next time.I did not mean to JUMP on you although I assure you if I were to jump on someone they would know it.Sometimes things come out the wrong way or get taken the wrong way but whatever the case I do apologize.

 

[Bustersmommy]

Re: I am sorry

I'm sorry I haven't been on that much to post. Yes I have a job that takes me away from home between 14-20 hours a day my fiancee' picks up the slack Weds and Fri. Sunday she is home all day and takes care of her and plays with her. On my days off or my teaching days we are usually inseperable. My classes say she is adorable and listens(they haven't seen her at home).

I didn't mean to start an arguement - My fiancee is used to smaller less stubborn dogs that train easier(????? such thing???) After falling a few times as house breaking and training I went back to how I trained my APBT. First i went back to crate she is crated at night and when we go out. Also to elviate some seperation anxiety i moved the crate from my office to a family room. It wasn't that I didn't want to crate her but I felt guilty, My Magnum(APBT) was trained a little on the harsh strick side so to speak. Because of the name and reputation associated with it he had to be. I could actually leave him in th ehouse with my two sons and not worry they would play - little rough sometimes but they would play -- nonone could come in. He was a 128lb blue lap dog who liked to eat anything you gave him carrots apples scooby snacks. Just didn't want to have to train her as strick as him being a female, but I am finding out I have to be and then some.

As far as her biting and going for hands i am trying everything but losing. I told my kids and fiancee she nips or grabs a hold to stick their fingers in to make her choke. Thats how I got Magnum to stop. As far as going for the hands and that I am at a lose.Magnum i had to discipline twice for it but again he learned that way I don't want to have to strike her like I did magnum.

So she is posing a challenge - what do I do?

Crate triainign is coming along fine - family doesn't like my rules about it but she doesn't come out unless she is going right outside. Then she eats in the crate and comes out when we can keep an eye on her.

Sounds like things are coming along nicely.As for the biting and grabbing of the hands my Buster does that.He is 11 weeks.A puppy faze/teething faze.My husband also did the putting your hand in side ways of the mouth but with him it doesn't work.It worked on my older dog but not this one.We tried the No in a loud and firm voice but nothing,we tried giving a toy when he would go for our hands but nothing so we bought some bitter apple spray and one squirt of that in his mouth did the trick.Now all we have to do is hold the bottle up and he stops on the dime.Keep up with the crate training.I also feed mine in the crate but only because we have another dog who well lets say has a bit of food aggression.And as you do as soon as he is done eating right outside.Same goes for naps and what not.
As for being a challenge you need to show her you are the Alpha dog.When Buster starts getting out of hand we put him in a submissive position till he summits.By doing this you are letting them know you are the Alpha dog and will not tolerate any such behavior.Works but it needs to be kept up to keep them in there spot.Keep doing what you are doing.You are on the right track.