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bonio73 · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:10 am Post subject: Confused!

Good morning to you - mine's not been a bed of roses Sad

!

Collected our GSP from the Mother in Law (see "Say Hello" topic heading). He has apparently been crate trained, so last night we put him in it as we went to bed.

He barked and whined for about 20 mins before settling. This was about what I expected. When I let him out into the garden at 4am and put him back in the crate, he started making a fuss for about 50 minutes, then at 5.30 he kicked up merry hell for an hour.

Sadly, we aren't fortunate enough to live miles from anywhere, so I was really concerned about the neighbours.

I understand that you aren't supposed to return to the crate if he barks, but at 6.30am what else could I do? I then discovered that he had knocked his water over and was actually just wanting to get out for a drink Sad

.

I was concerned that he might think I was pandering to his noise and now I've set back his crate training - any comments Confused

Thanks,

David

josie · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:23 am Post subject:

Hi David - I wouldn't worry too much about it. There is a really great link on crate-training here which you might want to read: http://workinghprs.myfastforum.org/about81.html

I know different people have different opinions about leaving water in crates. Personally, I don't leave water in the crate just for this very reason.

I bet he just didn't want to go back in the crate after he'd been out in the garden during the night, so he kicked up a fuss when you put him back again - it probably wasn't the water at all.

Why did you take him out at 4am if he was quiet and not making a fuss then?

Definitely don't respond to his noise at all, no matter how much he makes. Ask yourself (and the neighbours) - would you rather have 2-3 nights of noise, then silence forever, or ongoing noise problems? It's kind of a "short term pain for long term gain" situation!

He is however in a new place and is probably unsettled. Where is the crate? Could you sleep on the sofa or something for a few days, so he's not left alone until he's settled in a bit?
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bonio73 · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:43 am Post subject:

I was in two minds about leaving the water in there - I know what to do now!

He wasn't too fussed about going back in the crate - the only reason I let him out was so that he could have a pee. We went to bed at about 12, so I gave him 4 hours. Should I not bother?

I posted a note through the neighbours door apologising for the noise, and I'll be round there later with a bottle of wine and to explain the situation - like you say, better to start of noisy and to improve.

I could sleep on the sofa - I considered that new surroundings may have contributed to the problem. I was going to let my 2 Jack Russell's stay in overnight too for some company, but I thought that that may just wind him up more as they weren't in a cage but he was Confused

.

Thanks,

David

josie · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:54 am Post subject:

If he's an adult GSP (I think you said he is?) he should be able to go through the night without a pee. If he's a little puppy then he'll need to pee in the night.

Good idea to talk to the neighbours - explain that you are in the process of training him and ask them to bear with you and it shouldn't last longer than a few days.

I would sleep on the sofa for a few nights. Don't talk to him or reassure him when he makes noise and you're on the sofa though - it can be v tempting when you're in the same room. I'm sure he'll be fine v soon.
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bonio73 · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:19 am Post subject:

He's 8 moths old - will he be OK through the night?

Sofa here I come Crying or Very sad

josie · Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

Yes, at 8 months he should be fine through the night.
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bonio73 · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 6:30 am Post subject: Crate training (Again!)

At the moment Tash is only able to go pretty much spot on 7 hours in his crate for the night. He then starts to whine and bark. When I let him into the garden, he really is busting for a pee! Seven hours isn't as long as the amount of sleep I need!!!
Is it feasible to let him out for a pee and then re-instate him in his cage for another hour or two? Maybe just a case of "suck it and see"?

josie · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

If it's any help, I'd say:

1. You say that he can only go 7 hrs and then starts to whine and bark. Don't wait for this before you get up, if you truly believe he needs a wee. If, every night, you wait for him to start making noise and THEN you take him out, you will be rewarding the noise and it's more likely to continue. So, if you think he needs a wee at 7 hrs, set your alarm clock for 6 hrs 30 mins, and take him out _before_ he has started to make noise. After a few nights if he is fine with this, you can then get up slightly later each night until you can go right through the night.

2. Yes, you should be able to put him back in his crate after he has been out for a wee and then ignore any noise he makes. When you take him out for a wee, don't talk to him and don't play games and keep him on the lead so he can't go exploring - otherwise he will think it's great fun to get you up in the middle of the night and go sniffing and exploring his new garden. So, just stand on the lead and be really boring and wait for him to pee, then take him back to his cage and don't talk to him, just put him back inside and ignore any noise he makes after that - you know he doesn't need the toilet because you just took him out.

Don't know if that's any help but it's worked for 2 Weim pups for us and although yours is a bit older, the idea is the same.
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BritAnnie · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject: Tash

Hi David
I would be surprised if an active breed of that age would want more than 7 hours sleep, so can you not change your own sleeping patterns for a short time till he gets used to being in there (whether asleep or not)? Put him in the cage in the daytime too - feed him in it. Praise him when he goes in by himself. Give him toys in with him - cuddly ones too - so long as he can't rip bits off and swallow them Smile

My pups regard the cage as their own special place to escape to for a wee nap.
Hope this helps.
Annie
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Mike · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:57 pm Post subject: