New puppy question / advise please

[freddunn]

When we take delivery of "Scoobie", he will be 8 wks old.
I can see 2 problems. I work from home, but Monday's and generaly from 3pm - 8pm I am busy teaching. So I don't want Scoobie running around messing up the place. And also I want to avoid any problems with Alfie and the pup Alfie being soooo boisterous.
I've heard a lot about dog cages, and am thinking of getting one untill Scoobie is house trained. I would like your input on these please i.e. what sort of cages are best etc. I am aware some of you are against cages, but it is only short term until house trained
I would also want to take him with us when we walk Alfie, obviously he would be carried until the final jabs. BUT, what if we are somewhere in the forrest and he needs to do his stuff, can I put him down?

[bk_blue]

Hi Fred :) Crates/cages/carriers are not generally used much in Australia (at least I don't know anyone who's ever used one) but several people on here know a lot about them. I think they are great if used correctly. i think with crates you need one that is big enough for Scoobie to lie down in, eat in and poo in. There are other members who would be infinitely more help than me on this. :lol:

[imported_Kat]

If you get one of the reasonably large metal Rosewood style cages he will thrive in it, plus he will be safe and feel secure most importantly of all. As far as the forest goes, wait until at least 2 weeks after you have his vaccinations before taking him into forests or woods or where any wild animals are. After he is vaccinated just walk him on the pavement and get him used to being on a lead, and try to avoid crowded dog parks. He is only a baby yet, but gentle exposure little by little to help build up his immunity is essential.

[kendalyn]

This is my favorite kind of crate.



Buck has one and he loves to lie down in his during the day. I prefer it to the wire ones because it's more "den like" and cozy. You'll need to put something soft in the bottom though. I can't imagine it would be very comfortable laying on the hard plastic bottom.

[atghylin]

I have the type that Kendalyn pictured. Felix loves it. :iloveyou: My experiance with kennels/cages/crates is rather pleasant. I taught Felix "kennel" to mean it's time to go into his kennel whether he wants to or not. He stays out of trouble when no one is home to watch him. He also hids in it when he knows he's in trouble or when he wants some peace from the children. :roll: It it HIS room and the children have been taught to leave it alone.

You'll need to put something soft in the bottom though.

If you're going to do this I suggest putting down an old blanket/ towel(s) that you won't mind getting torn to shreds. Puppies get bored... though I'm sure you already know that and have thought of ways to prevent it. :wink: Felix sleeps on the plastic bottom since he's shredded every blanket/towel I've put down for him.

My only problem with these new types of kennels/cages/crates is the the door lock. I have difficulties rotating the little tab thingy... though my husband has no problems with it.

Amanda

[mouseatthebusstop]

we made a pen about 3 ft square attaching a fire guard to a corner

my older dog would sit or lie by them

[courtnek]

crates (or cages, as you guys call them) are good for a number of reasons. The dog has his own "den", a place he feels secure. It will keep Alfie from being too boisterous to the new pup, they can commune through the crate just fine. Old sheets and towels are a very good idea, in case Scoobie does rip them up, but he will need plenty of chew toys as well. Boredom can be a problem with a new puppy. But, at 8 weeks, he will need to go out at least every 2-3 hours. They cant hold it much longer than that. If no one will be there to let him out, he will soil the crate. Since I work full time, when I had Freebee as a pup, I baby-gated her in the large bathroom, with her bed on one side of the room and newspapers on the other. Far enough apart (7 feet) that she didnt feel she was soiling her den. She learned within a few days to use the papers. I tried crating her at first, she destroyed the crate. This worked out much better for me. I came home at lunch every day (she was still alone for 4 hours and sometimes couldnt hold it that long) and if she had soiled the papers I took them outside and put them down and let her sniff them there. When she went outside she was lavishly praised and rewarded. We played her favorite game of
"throw the ball" as a reward. She was basically housebroken at 3 1/2 months using this method. I still came home every day at lunch until she was a year old, to let her out, and play with her. It's an altrernative to the crate if you cant let him out often enough during the day.

He's SOOOO cute Fred. Be careful. I may come snatch him!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: