[David Winners]

There may be people who do that, but nobody I know of does. My sport is flyball, not IPO, but IMO if you have to crate a dog that much in order to increase their desire for engagement, especially at that young of an age you've got the wrong dog for your needs. At 11 weeks old, he's still a baby. Your pup either HAS sufficient drives or he doesn't - you can build on those drives and channel them appropriately but you can't create them out of thin air. His genetics are what they are.

I crate my dogs in the bedroom with us at night, and with a young puppy that I couldn't directly supervise (100% eyes on), I'd put them in the crate. It can be difficult with the pandemic because people may be home much more than usual, with the effect that puppies are not becoming used to ever being alone. You can schedule some crate time throughout the day, puppies need their nap time, but leaving him in the crate so much isn't beneficial and I think it's become harmful, as evidenced by his constant whining. Of course he's frustrated!


I've used NILIF for many years, going back to Cassidy in 2001. You can tailor it to the age and abilities of the dog, and be as strict or lax as you like. I think of it as basically providing a predictable structure for the puppy, teaching him/her that their behavior is what drives consequences, which gives them a level of control over their environment. You want this? Do that for me and you'll get it. It's just house rules.



This! NOT engaging with him isn't the kind of foundation you want, regardless of your ultimate goals. How can he learn how much fun it is to be with you, to play with you, to engage with you, if he's in his crate and not able to actually do those things? Now, while he's still young, is the best time to start building that foundation.

All of this.

I'd just like to add that it's not just the best time to build a foundation, but that it's the ONLY time. Early socialization ends at 16 weeks. There is no way I would want my puppy sitting in a kennel during this critical stage in development. If I had a 40 hour a week job, I would take 2 weeks vacation from 12-14 weeks just to get the dog out in the world.

Training, to me, at this stage in life is far more about engagement and good experiences than anything else. I like to build a strong recall early, and I'm doing basic luring stuff, but its way more about getting the dog out with me, experiencing things with me, learning to trust me and look to me for guidance.

 

[MineAreWorkingline]

All of this.

I'd just like to add that it's not just the best time to build a foundation, but that it's the ONLY time. Early socialization ends at 16 weeks. There is no way I would want my puppy sitting in a kennel during this critical stage in development. If I had a 40 hour a week job, I would take 2 weeks vacation from 12-14 weeks just to get the dog out in the world.

Training, to me, at this stage in life is far more about engagement and good experiences than anything else. I like to build a strong recall early, and I'm doing basic luring stuff, but its way more about getting the dog out with me, experiencing things with me, learning to trust me and look to me for guidance.

And there are only bandaid solutions to poor socialization that didn't take place during the allotted window.

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

I feel a lot better about being able to have him out a lot.

Thankfully, it's only been two days of the "hard rules" but that was enough.

I'll be asking a lot more questioms here.

Will update more later. Cheers guys Xoxoxoxo

 

[MineAreWorkingline]

I feel a lot better about being able to have him out a lot.

Thankfully, it's only been two days of the "hard rules" but that was enough.

I'll be asking a lot more questioms here.

Will update more later. Cheers guys Xoxoxoxo

A lot of people do things to enhance drive but doing things so as not to suppress drive can also be very effective.

 

[Heartandsoul]

“He's digging all of a sudden and chasing his tail.”

This is all I needed to read. You gut instinct is right and you have great responses that validate how you feel and will get back on track to a good relationship with your pup. Get your pup and go have some fun.

That tail chasing was a definite sign that things were wrong.

You’re a good owner and good advocator.

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I was just trying to do what was best for him and get his attention onto us.

How someone could run a dog that way for even a month is beyond me.

Instead of doing more research and watching more Stonnie/Leerburg/Kroyer etc videos in the final weeks leading up to our puppy I ended up painting the house to get the place ready to start a family. I was totally cooked and didn't have time so I panicked and got a trainer. Have ended up relying far too much on her.

He's on raw today and out when we're out. Will post a lot more here guys - I'm kind of emotional now 😂

I want to do some sport but at what cost, hey?

✌

 

[Heartandsoul]

IMO A sport, any sport should always compliment and enhance the partnership. We did NoseWorks had a blast. Always fun even when I dq’d in the last trial.still came out feeling like my boy is a champ cause ya know what, he is ;-).

You got this.

 

[Sunflowers]

Am I understanding this correctly?
The dog is in the crate all the time except for three 5 to 10 minute training sessions a day?
And the dog is 11 weeks old?

 

[Cassidy's Mom]

In my sport, you have 8 dogs off leash in the ring at the same time, plus at least 12 humans, sometimes more. Dogs are running and barking, people are running and yelling, sometimes there's loud music. At outdoor tournaments in public parks, there are also usually spectators standing right next to the ring. The crating area is near the ring, where all the dogs not currently racing will be, some of which are also barking with excitement. If you don't have your dog's complete focus and attention in that kind of situation it can be a problem, lol. That's why we do as much with them from as young an age as possible, taking them new places and playing tug, desensitizing them to sights, sounds, and general chaos. Leaving them in a crate most of the time and only bringing them out for short training sessions a couple times a day just won't cut it if you want/need to build that kind of willing and enthusiastic engagement.

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

Am I understanding this correctly?
The dog is in the crate all the time except for three 5 to 10 minute training sessions a day?
And the dog is 11 weeks old?

It was. I just told the trainer this morning that I'm not doing it and I don't care and that it was killing us both inside. She said that's all good and respected it so that's great.

We are having him out far more often/longer now and continue exposing him to this wonderful world. Off to see some sheep and horses and the train station today.

💕💕💕

 

[car2ner]

you need to explore more trainers. Once you find one that fits your needs and expectations, then you can stay with the program longer. But listen to podcasts like The Canine Paradigm and read blogs over on The Collared Scholar and check out things like GRC dogsports. And for the next few weeks let your puppy be a puppy, Keep an eye on him. for the first few weeks my pups were crated or tethered to me.
My dogs give me focus because they enjoy what happens when they do. Working with me is pleasant not because it is the only thing that lights up their life but one of the better things in their life.

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

Pic of the boy getting some room to be a munter 😂👍

 

[Buckelke]

We had trouble with Duke crying when we first got him until we told Alexa to turn on white noise at night. Peace and quiet! It may take a few tries with Alexa - she likes music from a group called White Noise but once you find it, it seems to soothe pup. Sounds a little like rain.

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

We had trouble with Duke crying when we first got him until we told Alexa to turn on white noise at night. Peace and quiet! It may take a few tries with Alexa - she likes music from a group called White Noise but once you find it, it seems to soothe pup. Sounds a little like rain.

Sounds nice 💕 He doesn't cry at night! Just during the day.

And there are only bandaid solutions to poor socialization that didn't take place during the allotted window.

So far he has been to:

Construction site.
Busy beaches with people around and dogs around.
Been in water/sea.
Been in native broadleaf forest.
Been around.homeless.
Playgrounds and stuff.
Town centre streets.

He's definitely been out quite a bit but still not as much ws some of you but this week I'm taking him through the local schools at lunchtime, to pet store, to hardware store, airport and the CBD/university campus and other spots.

He gonz be so stable 🐕

 

[Fodder]

Sounds nice 💕 He doesn't cry at night! Just during the day.

So far he has been to:

Construction site.
Busy beaches with people around and dogs around.
Been in water/sea.
Been in native broadleaf forest.
Been around.homeless.
Playgrounds and stuff.
Town centre streets.

He's definitely been out quite a bit but still not as much ws some of you but this week I'm taking him through the local schools at lunchtime, to pet store, to hardware store, airport and the CBD/university campus and other spots.

He gonz be so stable 🐕

slow down.. you can overdue it too. and he’ll end up the opposite of stable.

 

[David Winners]

Have you read the early socialization thread?

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

slow down.. you can overdue it too. and he’ll end up the opposite of stable.

I'm confused. I thought he was supposed to be out with me doing stuff.

Have you read the early socialization thread?

Yes.. skimmed? The main thing I got was exposure to surfaces/textures/places/faces/sounds etc rather than "meet."

 

[David Winners]

You got it.

Another thing to work on, particularly in your case, is rewarding engagement.

 

[MyWifeIsBoss]

You got it.

Another thing to work on, particularly in your case, is rewarding engagement.

I agree. The trainer seems to think we have a relatively independent pup - he does seem this way.

Apart from his "formal" training we are going to pay him for checking in with us when we're out doing stuff.

Presumably this creates a pattern of thinking in pupdog that is proactive/hey, I can chew this stick or hump this mandarin tree but everytime I go over to this big grumpy owner of mine he gives me a TREAT AND A TUG AND A CUDDLE AND HOLY COW.

 

[Fodder]

i’m just saying, be reasonable. your post reads as if you got the green light and are now running out to make up for lost time.

distance and engagement are your friends.

learn how to read dog body language and recognize the signs of your puppy being tired or uncomfortable or fearful or overwhelmed. have a plan as to how you’ll react (tip: act but don’t react) should one of these things crop up.