Okay, I'm sure this is going to sound like a stupid, worried-mom question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. It won't be the first or last time I've done so! I'm taking Falcon to his first visit at Schutzhund Village on Saturday and I can't help but wonder how he is going to handle sitting in his car crate for hours at a time, and how I should handle it if he acts up. If he howls like an idiot do I just let him howl like an idiot? From what I saw when I visited the club last week the dogs simply stay in their crates until they are being worked (one at a time) and then they go back into the crate. Most folks were there pretty much all day which meant the dogs were in their crates all day long.

I have been taking Falcon on short trips around town for general socializing and he LOVES traveling in the car. Most of the time we get in the car he gets to get out somewhere for a short walk, for distractions during training or for a walk in the park etc... Occasionally I take him when he doesn't get to get out so that he has the experience of not ALWAYS having a party when he gets in the car. However, the last few times I've stopped to run in a store for a minute he begins whining the minute I pull into the parking spot and then howls when I get out of the car. He is never howling when I return; he just whines a bit when I get in the car. I've ignored the whining/howling completely thinking that giving it any attention would only encourage it.

Sorry this is so long winded... I guess the bottom line is - what is the correct protocol / manners of 6 month old dogs in crates at a Schutzhund meeting?? LOL!

As always, many thanks for the input.

He's six months old.

You can take him out if he gets super antsy, and let him drink some water, take a potty break, etc.

Just talk with the training director to make sure you know where to take him to potty, and that you aren't going to miss something important.

Usually they're very quiet and calm in their crate (mine used to sleep the whole time), until they start getting serious in the bitework.

Then they throw fits.

Barbara,
Is this query have anything to do with your post about the separation angst you mentioned enre to leaving your dog at a kennel?
If you think you're still working on that issue, that's a different question than you've posed here.
And that's okay, I'm just trying to figure which question to answer is all.

That is if I can contribute anything worthwhile at all.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

potty/water breaks and a chew toy

Hey Barbara, I don't have any knowledge about how they do it there but when I brought my puppy out I didnt just leave him in the car. I kept him on leash and did ob with him and played on the field with him. Had him watch dogs do retrieves. Sat off to the side while dogs were being worked in protection and tugged with a rag. Lots of dogs bark in the crates, don't worry about that. Let him have a party, you want him to enjoy it. You want that field to be the happiest place in his life.

 Quote: randy allen

Barbara,
Is this query have anything to do with your post about the separation angst you mentioned enre to leaving your dog at a kennel?

The dog with the separation issue at the kennel was a different dog.

Obviously I would give him potty breaks, I just wasn't sure what is considered appropriate in regard to keeping him in the kennel when I'm not working with him directly with the trainer.

Steve, I had wondered if having Falcon watch some of what else was going on would be allowed; it makes sense that he would pick up some of the "fun" by watching the other dogs. Thanks.

Every club is different, you'll need to talk with your training director about your specific question. I do know a lot of clubs overlap dogs when doing obedience and I bet your pup will be a good distraction for someone working on long down stays! LOL! Good luck and HAVE FUN! I'm glad to hear you are going for it.

I agree with the treat in the crate (IE: frozen peanut butter stuffed kong, bully stick) something to help keep him quiet/entertained when in his crate, as during protection work, it is a general rule only one dog out at a time. Like I said though, every club, I'm sure has different rules. Why have him waste all his energy blabbing and barking in the crate when he needs that intensity and energy out on the field???!!!

Like Steve, when Neb and I were going to FR and he was a little guy, while he didn't watch all the tracking/protection work (there were a couple of dogs training for different things), he was kept out to watch a fair bit of purposely. Depending on what dog is working, your guy may get to stay out, or might have to go be crated. Have fun though! I'm jealous!!!

Good suggestion on the peanut butter in the kong... Normally the Kong is more frustrating to Falcon than it is entertaining, but since he will do back flips for peanut butter, that might do the trick. Thanks Michelle!

You can thank Carol Boche for the frozen peanut butter stuffed kong idea (and I bet she won't take full credit either!!lol) But I will say, frozen lasts longer for sure than regular room temp. My dogs now go nutzo for the frozen ones.