Crating question

Here is the routine we follow with our 14 week old puppy. He seems to

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

By 14 weeks of age the puppy SHOULD have been HOWEsbroken
for six or eight weeks already <{): ~ ) >

be happy, but I would like to know from the experts if his crate times

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

Well that rather lets YOU off the hook, eh janet???

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

That's ABSURD. Dogs DO NOT NEED or LIKE bein locked
in boxes and ignored when they cry <{): ~ ( >

are appropriate.

6.30 AM - Wake up and go to the back yard for bathroom , Play time for
30-45 minutes (Some exercises learnt in puppy class like SIt, Down,
STay, Touch, Roll .. etc for 5 minutes)
7.15 AM - 7.45 AM - Break fast in crate

Janet B...

Ok - why? Not only is 30 minutes too long for a meal, but he
shouldn't need to be crated for it. I'd drop the crating for this
period of time.

7.45 AM - 8.30 AM - Walk (10-15 minutes) and Play time in the yard
(fetch,for about 5 mninutes and then let himn play on his own)

Janet B...

14 week old puppies shouldn't really be out on their own - or do you
mean you're there but he's just doing what he wants, sniffing and
such?

8.30 AM - 9.00 AM - Back in crate

Janet B...

Why?

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

On accHOWENT of they got STUFF to do like YOU SEZ:
"I don't crate puppies when I'm home, unless I'm
asleep, bathing,"

That's MOST of the time ain't it, janet?

"or doing something possibly dangerous to the puppy."

Like CHANGING UNDIES, janet <{) ; ~ ) >

9.00 AM - 9.15 AM - Bathroom break in yard
9.15 AM - 1.00 PM - Crate (toys, water available in craate at all
times). He generally plays on his own and sleeps during this time.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

This is my experience with puppies also. Again,
water in the crate should not be required.

--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

---------

Janet B...

Is this when someone is at work? That's fine.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

At 16 weeks of age The Freakin Simply Amazing Puppy
Wizard's Student's dogs are ready to begin PROTECTION
training having completed their basic on and off leash
obedience training and at 6 months are WORKING PROTECTION.

ALL withHOWET EVER havin been locked in a box.

1.00 PM - 1.15 PM - Bathroom break
1.15 PM - 1.30 PM - Lunch in Crate
1.30 PM - 2.15 PM - Walk and some play

Janet B...

I would feed him lunch sans crate. Don't play too much after eating.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

From: Janet B
Date: Thurs, Jan 5 2006

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

That's fine, if you feed when you are there. Open crate or closed (my
foster puppy eats in his crate because I have to feed 4 other pets and
can't supervise). Leaving food is never a good idea, and water just
winds up making a mess most of the time.

I never restrict water unless the puppy is crated.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

BWEEEEEEEAAHAHAHAHHAAA!!!

Nice midday break though.

2.15 PM - 5.30 PM - Crate

Janet B...

People at work again, I assume?

5.30 PM - 6.30 PM - Walk and Play
6.30 PM - 8.00 PM - Play Pen or let loose at home (always under
supervision)
8.00 PM - 8.30 PM - Dinner in Crate

Janet B...

I think that's too late for dinner. I usualy recommend no later than
6, in order for pup to eliminate well before bedtime. I don't crate

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

THAT'S ABSURD.

puppies when I'm home, unless I'm asleep, bathing, or doing something
possibly dangerous to the puppy.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

EVERY THING YOU DO IS DANGERHOWES to a livin critter.

8.30 PM - 10.00PM - Bathroom Break and Play with us in the living
room/kitchen
10.00PM - 6.30 AM - Crate for SLeep

Janet B...

This sounds fine.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

No, IT AIN'T "FINE" janet. It's ABUSE.

He goes inside his crate on command and does not whine (occasionally he
does). Given that he spends about 17 hours in his crate (including 1.5
hour meal time), I would like to know if that is appropriate. I
verified with our trainer and the vet and they seemed to be okay with
the routine.

What is the maximum time that a 14 week puppy should spend in his
crate. What is the minimum time. We make sure that the longest stretch

Janet B...

Depends on the puppy and his needs. If you work during the day, the
maximum should be 16 hours total - 2, 4 hours shifts, and then
overnight. I stop overnight crating by around 4 months, but confine

Rocky...

OP: I agree with 100% of what Janet wrote, but want to emphasize
her last point.

To me, nighttime is the right time to stop crating, which often
goes against conventional advise. You have everything working
for you at that time - the dog is asleep and you're there to
supervise (in a fashion). My most recent success story was a 14
week old coonhound mix who stayed with me for 2 weeks and won
almost immediate nighttime freedom of the house. Daytime was
another matter.

Don't forget the real reason behind crate training - gradually
making a young or insecure dog comfortable with his environment.

to the bedroom.

TheSimplyAmazingPuppyWizard...

That's A LIE janet. Here's your own "RESCUE" puppy
you've been "TRAINING" for FOUR MONTHS an is SO
HYPERACTIVE you CAN'T EVEN GIVE HIM AWAY:

Animal Behavior Forensic Sciences Research Laboratory

Subject: The crate escape - my brilliant puppy!

After Rudy came to stay with us, I got tired of running into an open
crate door, so I bought a new crate, with a door that folds up and in.
"can't be opened from the inside" says the ad. I always looked at
these and thought "right", but for the last few months (yes, folks,
it's been 3.5 months) it has worked great.

Until Monday.

That's when Mr Smarty-pants decided he knew how to open it. And
greeted us at the door after 6+ hours of freedom. A chewed
wastebasket lid and a puddle inside the front door (he loses it if
very excited and yesterday morning I found evidence that a smallish
dog had apparently "visited" right outside my full view front door)
was all that was wrong. So yesterday, when I left for a short errand,
I made sure to clip the door closed securely. And once again came
home to an unconfined puppy.

So, today, the crate will get clips on the door to ensure this doesn't
happen again. I need him to learn that he shouldn't let himself out.
But it looks like he's going to be allowed house freedom within a few
days, and since he'll be 9 months old on Monday, that'll be the day.
I'll take the next few days to put some shoes away and check out other
things he may be interested in, and get out the bitter apple. My
house is not exactly the neatest place in the world, and there's a lot
of stuff that may be too available and interesting. We shall see.

My puppy is growing up and too smart for his own good!

Janet B...

The minimum is only what it takes to keep your puppy and home safe
when he cant be supervised.

he is in the crate is about 3.30 hours but for the 8 hour segment at
night. Even there, I do occasionally ta him out in the middle of the

Janet B...

That's a good thing.

night, if he whines or shows any discomfort

Janet B...

Careful with that - you can actually be teaching him to wake. If he's
restless or whines, give him a few minutes to settle down again. If
he continues, he may really need to go (not CAN go). A lot depends on
the type and size of puppy he is - what is he?

Thanks for your reply.