Hello Everyone,
My name is Anna. My husband and I have adopted the cutest Boxador last Saturday. He's about 17 weeks old, pretty energetic (loves his naps too and he's slowly getting down the whole crate training routine. I have been reading a lot on ways of how to train a dog, and I have to say Leergurg.com made an impresion on me. The marker training seems to be a way to go with our puppie -Optimus Prime. i have to say however, the system of how it works has to be understood correctly in order for this to work.
He is doing very well and we are trying not to rusj him into learnig to much.
one of the things I seem not to find an answer to is: Why would you feed your dog in a crate. Optimus has not been interested in eating in the crate. My husband and I think that this might be due to the fact that he still hasnt really been fully caret trained and he still cries at night. We moved his bowls into the kitchen, and he seems to eat much better in there.
On another note, if he remains eating in the kitchen, should be still have him teethered and stand over him? I just seems to not like this...shouldnt he have some room to eat? I read somewhere on the website that he should have 10 minutes to eat his dinner and if he doesnt, the bowl should be taken away. he seems a little distracted at times (especially at his dinner time) and doesnt always feel like eating.

any comments will be greatly appreciated

thanks

Tethering, IMO, is more about keeping the puppy out of trouble and not having to chase them around screaming, "PLEASE come here!"

If you know where the puppy is, in the kitchen at the food bowl, you don't have to tether them at that particular point in time. If they are going to split and go take a dump in the middle of your bed the second you take the leash off them, then maybe it should stay on.

Tethering, by my definition, does not mean that the dog always has to be physically tied to you either. It is just easier to catch a puppy that looks like it is about to piss in the floor if they are dragging a 6,7,8,9,10 foot leash behind them.

Following me? Raising a puppy doesn't have to be step 1, 1a, 2, 3, etc., etc.

Improvise where needed. Feed the dog where ever it works for you. Keep an ear on them, or the corner of your eye, or hidden video surveillance while they are eating, but you are right, no need to stand over them.

And welcome to the forum!

Post an intro and link to some pictures when you get a chance!

I feed my dogs either in their crates or tethered to an eyebolt in the wall so they don't hurt each other or anyone. I refer to it as protective custody for our shih tzso as he's only 15 lbs, and lives with a 45lb, 65lb, and 80lbs d ogs. This stops stealing from other dogs or keeping a child from getting hurt by trying to pet a dog while their eating. My two food aggressive dogs always eat in their crates and the other two are tethered to an eyebolt in seperate rooms with a baby gate across the door. I give my dogs twenty minutes to eat and then pick it up. I also don't stand over them, just sit, wait, put food down in place okay it's yours and walk away. I can take bones and food out of their mouths but rarely have to.

 Quote: Anna Varanasi

Optimus has not been interested in eating in the crate. My husband and I think that this might be due to the fact that he still hasnt really been fully caret trained and he still cries at night. We moved his bowls into the kitchen, and he seems to eat much better in there

Feeding him in the crate will help with crate training. It will contribute the the feeling that being in the crate is a good thing, help him feel more comfortable about being in there, and help him understand that it is not a place to go potty. Same with recreational bones and food stuffed kongs, etc. If he is uncomfortable at first, leave the door open and put the food bowl near the back.
If he won't eat at all, keep trying. He'll get hungry enough, sooner or later. You could also throw bits in there one at a time (when he's hungry) to teach him to go in and out. Or one more alternative is to use his entire meal as a marker training session - the food being the reward. This will help with his distractibility at mealtimes, not to mention the mental workout and bonding benefits.
Good luck with whatever you decide to try!
Cheers,
Ci

There are no hard-and-fast rules, IMO. Have in your mind what behaviors you want from the dog and work toward that in a way that works for you and the dog.

People feed in the crate for various reasons---as others have said, it could be a way to make the dog like the crate more. Or it could be to separate multiple dogs while they are eating. Or it could be to contain the mess of feeding. Or it could be personal preference (for either the human or the dog.)

But it's not required. If your dog is doing okay in his crate without feeding him in there, and you'd prefer to feed him elsewhere, that's your choice. Mine are all crate-trained, and I never fed in the crate.

I also think you can release the pup from the tether while he's eating (standing over him that closely could make him nervous). Again, the point of the tether is to keep track of him. If he's in the same room as you and can't escape your sight then you don't need the tether right at that moment.

I'm a big believer in set meal times (with time limits, although that's never been an issue for my dogs). It's much easier for you to know how much is being eaten and adjust as necessary. I'd put the food down, give the dog a time limit, and then take the bowl up until the next meal time. If several meals go by with him not eating all that's being served (but he's still active, growing, and pooping normally), then you're probably feeding too much.

thank you all for the advice...
It's very helpful...

There are some very good reasons for feeding in the crate, which have already been mentioned, but aside from those, I believe it's more a matter of personal preference. I've never fed any of my dogs in the crate. There's just been no need for it. Go with what works best for you, in your particular situation.

As far as the tethering, it's a great idea, but at mealtimes, I would give the dog some space, figuratively and literally. No need to hover over him.

Mainly, I just wanted to say welcome to the board, and yes, that is a very cute puppy!

Thank you Cheri,
I think that we will stick to the feeding in the kitchen. He seems to like that better.

All the best, and thank you for your time...

No advice, just wanted to say that your pup has the coolest name ever!

Also, I find it funny how some dogs actually need a time limit to eat! My dog gets about 5 seconds, as that's usually how long it takes him. :p