 Barking in Crate
#391426 - 06/04/2014 11:59 AM |
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We rescued a 4 year old Weimaraner about 2 weeks ago, and he has a few separation issues, which from what I've heard is quite common with this breed.
My biggest problem at this point is he barks when you put him in the crate for the night. He barks for about 20min to half an hour and then he's quite for the night. He also barks when I leave him in there for work but I'm not sure how long that lasts as I'm not home.
At what point do you take some action (using an e-collar or bark collar) or is he still "settling in". The former owners claimed he was crate trained but now have my doubts.
Thanks,
Matt
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Matthew Groenheide ]
#391427 - 06/04/2014 01:21 PM |
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There are a zillion threads here about crate behavior. There are a lot of things you can try, from marker training to desensitizing. Resorting to a correction would be my VERY LAST option.
FWIW, The fact that he willingly crates and eventually settles in tells me that he is crate-trained. As you said, it sounds like separation anxiety, IMHO. IMO, that's not something that deserves a correction. SA is a deep-rooted psychological disorder that is better dealt with than worked around. It can range from almost insignificant to severe. You might try looking into the SA before attempting to modify the crate behavior.
All JMO.
Sadie |
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Matthew Groenheide ]
#391428 - 06/04/2014 04:10 PM |
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Same situation with my most recent two in a row rescues.
They'd go into the crate willingly but then bark for awhile. Sometimes quite awhile.
I finally put a radio near the crate and put on the classical music PBS radio station on low and turned out the lights.
It took a few weeks but the barking in each case subsided in about two to three weeks, depending on the dog, and finally they got down to about two or three minutes or less.
Part of the drill was to be strong and ignore the noise. I was able to put the dogs in a lower level of the house, aka basement, and that muffled the sound a bit. Then too, exercise, a wind down time, out to do their business, and scheduled in the crate times conditioned the dogs to the reality that they would be in the crate regardless of noise.
I figured German dogs would like classical music. Right.
I've found that the more you respond to a barking dog, the more you condition the dog to bark.
Mike A.
"I wouldn't touch that dog, son. He don't take to pettin." Hondo, played by John Wayne |
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#391439 - 06/05/2014 09:44 AM |
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"Part of the drill was to be strong and ignore the noise."
Giant ditto.
My best success has always been related to giving no attention at all to it .. not good attention OR "bad" attention.
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#391440 - 06/05/2014 09:57 AM |
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P.S. Two weeks is absolutely still "settling in" time.
Also, IMHO, if any attention has been paid to the barking, then each occasion was a setback. That is, you're at Day One now in the plan to pay zero attention.
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Mike Arnold ]
#391451 - 06/06/2014 07:41 AM |
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Same situation with my most recent two in a row rescues.
They'd go into the crate willingly but then bark for awhile. Sometimes quite awhile.
I finally put a radio near the crate and put on the classical music PBS radio station on low and turned out the lights.
It took a few weeks but the barking in each case subsided in about two to three weeks, depending on the dog, and finally they got down to about two or three minutes or less.
Part of the drill was to be strong and ignore the noise. I was able to put the dogs in a lower level of the house, aka basement, and that muffled the sound a bit. Then too, exercise, a wind down time, out to do their business, and scheduled in the crate times conditioned the dogs to the reality that they would be in the crate regardless of noise.
I figured German dogs would like classical music. Right.
I've found that the more you respond to a barking dog, the more you condition the dog to bark.
This is some of the best advice in a single post I've seen regarding how to get dogs to stop barking in their cages, especially Mike's last point. I could have used this about 3 dogs ago.
 Bailey
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Matthew Groenheide ]
#391478 - 06/08/2014 12:35 PM |
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Excellent advice.
And just wanted to add instead of immediately jumping to correcting for what you don't want, reward what you do want. An e-collar correction in a crate can cause a whole host of other issues including a real reason to be afraid or dislike the crate.
With a new dog in your home, like Connie mentioned, you're still in the settling in period. He may have been fine in a crate in the old situation but his surrounding have now changed.
You don't know what his crating experiences have been like, he doesn't know you, your routine or how long he can expect to be left.
If this were a new dog in my home, once he'd settled, after the 20 - 30 minutes of barking, I'd probably reward the quiet by letting him out for a bit or sitting quietly by the cage with him. The second he let out a bark, I'd leave.
As has been mentioned, completely ignore the barking, reward the calm silence in just as calm a manner.
Congratulations on your new addition!
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Matthew Groenheide ]
#391503 - 06/09/2014 01:35 PM |
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SA is a PITA for sure. For crating I put an old wind up alarm clock in the crate with them (don't set for alarm though  . I also play music as well as putting a worn clothing item in with them. Dogs under stress many times wont take food but the ol peanut butter filled Kong is a good addition too. Above all, don't react or give in.
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Matthew Groenheide ]
#391531 - 06/09/2014 11:07 PM |
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Often a sheet thrown over the crate can give a dog more security.
IF you do this then place a piece of plywood on top of the crate that is 3-4 inches larger all around then the crate. That will keep the dog from grabbing the sheet and pulling it in the crate or just shredding it.
old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks |
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Re: Barking in Crate
[Re: Matthew Groenheide ]
#391543 - 06/10/2014 09:20 AM |
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Excellent suggestion Bob. I do that as well. It creates a cave type experience and many times calms a dog down.
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