I have been crating Ultro next to Gala in the basement so that she is not alone there. At first cause I didn't trust Ultro loose, but know he is fine out and when I take Gala with me somewhere, Ultro stays out. My question is, is it fair to continue to crate him just so that Gala is not alone in the basement?? She has the kennel and poor Ultro is crated next to her in an extra large crate, but still...
You can see Ultro's crate next to her kennel. Would you continue to crate him, even though he is good out now, just so he keeps Gala company? Would she be ok in the basement by herself or whould she have a fit?
Sam and Blossom have the run of the house, but I'm sure they stay upstairs most of the time if not all the time.
Both of my dogs are OK out loose, but Coke is what I call an "opportunistic chewer" - he does not seek out things to destroy, but if something is inadvertently left out, he will chew and eat it. The problem is that if he got something big and choked or had a blockage, I would not be there to see. He's not a dog that will destroy the couch, dig up the carpet, or chew the legs of a table, but say a plastic container that hasn't been washed is left out and within reach, he would eat that. Also, he will sometimes pester my cats depending on his mood and if the cats are chasing each other. Kenya has always been totally reliable in the house. When we got Coke, he was already crate trained, so we use the crate if we are gone for a long time and just started crating Kenya too. Coke doesn't have separation anxiety, but I thought he might get upset if Kenya was roaming around. He doesn't act up in his crate unless other people/dogs are out. When we leave for work, he is already settled in and there's no problems.
I felt bad that Kenya was being crated too, but the last few times I've been home sick, both dogs just sleep on the floor or even in their crates (they often wander into their crates even when I'm home). So I figure, since they are getting enough activity when I'm home and they just sleep all day when I'm gone, they might as well be crated to stay safe.
Can you restrict him to that area without actually crating him? Like putting a baby gate in the doorway so he's there with her but not confined to the crate?
I think it would depend on how Gala reacts to being alone. You could always try to leave her alone and pretend to leave but sneek back to see how she's doing. I really don't have problems with crateing dogs, Eli is still in a crate but he loves it and looks forward to going into it each day.
If Galas use to the company she might be lonely all by herself or feel like she's done something wrong if Ultro suddenly gets to go upstairs with the other boys and she doesn't. Maybe Ultro can be loose but stay in the basement with her???
I got it! Maybe the boys can stay in the basement and Queen Gala could have the run of the house
Originally Posted By: Lauri & The GangCan you restrict him to that area without actually crating him? Like putting a baby gate in the doorway so he's there with her but not confined to the crate?
I have to crate Ava who is still in the chewing frenzy stage. I feel bad...but she can't be trusted. Mya has free run of the house. Fortunately...when I crate Ava and go out...Mya chooses to lay next to her crate and keep her company
I was thinking the same thing...can he be confined to the basement...so he's still in the same room for company?
Originally Posted By: Lauri & The GangCan you restrict him to that area without actually crating him? Like putting a baby gate in the doorway so he's there with her but not confined to the crate?
We do something very similar. Max and Kayos are trustworthy in the house. Havoc is okay for short periods. We will go out in the front and sit with a beer (Okay iced tea for Carolina
) in the evenings and leave them all in the house.
I won't leave 13 month old Havoc un-crated while we are at work. Max goes in the garage except on days it is too warm and he pretty much just sleeps. We crate Kayos next to Havoc so he has company. Seems unfair to Kayos but she does not seem to mind. When Havoc is a bit more trustworthy we will put them all in the garage. All our poisons are in secure tubs up high but the hot water heater, furnace and irrigation system controls are with in reach so there are things he could destroy.
I was thinking the same thing, close off the basement and let him loose in there. Would Gala be okay loose in the basement too?
I agree with allowing Ultro to stay loose in the closed off basement while the General remains a POW. This is the same set-up I use for Mac and Bruiser. They're locked in the "dog's bedroom" - Bruiser in his crate and Mac loose with an open crate.
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