[CAB]

I've recently got a gsd pup who is 6 months old and she has been kenneled her whole life. She's from working lines so she's very drivey and always on the go. She's generally perfect in her crate but when I put her in her run she jumps against the fence in an effort to get out and i'm worried she'll hurt herself. She usually just sits by the front of the fence and waits for me to let her out. Any advice on how to get rid of this behaviour?

 

[Kayla's Dad]

Are you doing any exercising/playing before putting her in the run? Try to give a lot of exercise and/or active play time to wear her out a bit before putting her into the run.

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Most of us prevent this behavior by modifying the environment and training.

When my dog is in the house, they are generally happy to be with me and behave well. If they do misbehave, I'm right there to work on any training that needs to be done.

Generally, tons of walks, hikes, exercise, socialization, training, and being in the house with me takes care of all the issues I've had with my dogs.

 

[kelso]

when Kelso was a puppy our trainer recommended getting him a run vs. the crate for when we were not around to let him have more room as he is also a very drivey type dog.

Kelso hated it..we tried and tried to slowly desensitize him to it with exercise, good bones in the run..ect ect. we were never even able to leave him in it when we were home, much less if we would have tried to leave..he would cry, bite at the run, ect

so he was already crate trained and loves his crate, so we gave up on the kennel and used the crate for when we were not going to be at home

the "run" is now sitting in our backyard, I use it for a dog "salon" now

maybe there is some other techniques you can try, but it just wasnt worth it to us. And he is so much safer and happier in his crate i think.

 

[roxy84]

is she getting exercise? what exactly is the purpose of the run? she wants/needs exercise with you.

 

[CAB]

The run is meant to keep her supervised when I'm not there or can't look after her. It is not an exercise areana for her to run in roxy84. I walk her in the mornings followed by some tugging and prey work and then put her in run and feed her. I was told by the maid that she wasn't too bad today but if she continues jumping I might have to make a low roof to stop her. She needs to be used to the run because that is where she'll be when i'm at varsity each day and there's no ways I will allow to have full run of house/property whilst i'm not there. She's fine in her crate but I think the run is much better for long periods of time so she can toilet etc.

 

[MaggieRoseLee]

Quote: She's fine in her crate but I think the run is much better for long periods of time so she can toilet etc.

While many people new to dogs may think that. I do not agree.

IF your dog is happy and content in the run, what will she be doing? If she's like my pup, asleep in a ball in a corner and basically taking up about as much space as well, just as much space as in a crate.

But crate training has even MORE benefits. Not just a safe place for my dog to be kept when I'm not around to supervise, but also it TRAINS. So my pup will be getting housebroken. NOT learning to chew stuff. NOT learning to try to escape. NOT jumping out. Not being bored and barking (and barking and barking and barking).

I use neither my crate nor my house to exercise my dogs. Whether young (and crated when I'm not home) or older (no crates up now). And I know my dogs spend the vast majority of the time safe and sleeping in a corner (um, maybe on my bed) in the house when I'm gone.

But when I get home, WHOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Herding

Hiking/swimming/socializing with a Schnauzer

Hiking

Obedience classes

And the most best wonderful dog thing.... AGILITY!

 

[LisaT]

Originally Posted By: Craig88I've recently got a gsd pup who is 6 months old and she has been kenneled her whole life. She's from working lines so she's very drivey and always on the go. She's generally perfect in her crate but when I put her in her run she jumps against the fence in an effort to get out and i'm worried she'll hurt herself. She usually just sits by the front of the fence and waits for me to let her out. Any advice on how to get rid of this behaviour?

Sounds to me that by kenneling her, you are allowing her to learn some bad and unproductive behaviours, and those will be tough to undo as time goes by.

Some dogs can't handle the extra freedom. I have a 7 year old GSD that just doesn't know what to do with himself if we leave him out of the crate when we leave. If he is crated, there is no anxiety, no mental problems, etc. Outside of the crate, we get home and he is panicked, hyperventilating, etc.

Your girl is telling you that she is most comfortable, feels the most safest and secure in her crate. Maybe you should listen to her?