crating 2/3 yr old

[Guest Anonymous]

Rate Member posted September 23, 2003 10:55 AM
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OK, brief synopsis: We adopted a 2/3 yr old cocker spaniel with no real history (stray to a shelter) She was picked up from the shelter after 10 days and was a foster dog (she was the only pet in the foster home). She was there for 8 days, while there she was gated in the kitchen while the owners were not home. They never came home to an accident. We adopted her and had her for 10 days. During those 10 days she was gated in the kitchen during the day without having any accidents at all and she slept in a dog bed in our bedroom without having any accidents. On the 11th day we took her to get spayed (preadoption requirement). Since then she has had mutiple accidents, during the night she goed to the hallway and pees a ton (and we always take her out right before bed) and during the day we come home to 3 or 4 puddles. We are going crazy, we took her to the vet and he checked for a UTI and found nothing, he gave her an antibotic just in case. We are going to start crating her, we are not sure if she was ever crated before but after some research we figured this would be a start on getting her back to a good housbreaking routine. My question is how should I go about introducing her to a crate? Normally she sits with us on the couch (on a blanket) with my wife and I and watches TV then at bed time she sleeps in a dog bed in our bedroom. During the day she is gated in the kitchen. I was thinking about putting the cage in the TV room with us and put her in there for a little while (with the same blanket) while we watch TV. My question is should we keep her in there the enitre time or just for intervals and when she is out let her up on the couch with us? At Bedtime I will just put her in the cage in our bedroom(and pray she doesn't whine) and during the day keep her in the cage in the kitchen.

So I guess my main question is shoule I introduce her slowly to it or just put her right in?

Thanks :evil:

[ferky1]

I don't know much (e.g. anything) about crating an older dog, but I think that the general rule should always be 'baby steps.' Crating can only be a good tool if the dog views the crate as it's den/bed, and this can only happen if it is introduced to the dog gradually.

I defer to others more knowledgable on this matter. Here is a fantastic website with TONS of articles on crate training, housetraining, commands, etc, including articles on housetraining older dogs and introducing the crate.

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-SpecTrain.htm#crate

[atghylin]

OH MY DOG!!! :shocked!: GJP, you just described my old Cocker Spaniel mix to a T! Sandy was a pound puppy too. As for the crate training "baby steps" is the way to go. My mom crate trained Sandy at the age of 7/8, so I know it can be done... it's going to take a long time though. :-? The blanket is an excellent idea... it's hers and by putting it in the crate you've got her attention and she's going to want to know WHY you did that. If she has any favorite toys put those in the crate as well. If she starts whining at night throw a blanket over the top of the kennel... make sure it's big enough that covers the front gate well and most of the sides just enough so she can't see out of the kennel to you. Leave the rest open for fresh air to circulate through.

Good Luck! :D

Amanda