Quote: cindy easton rhodes

tethering lasts for as long as it takes to know your dog is reliable in the house. It's not unusual for me to tether my dogs for a number of months and then start allowing short periods of being loose. It's also not unusual for me to give all my dogs a tether "refresher course" if they begin to behave in a way that I don't approve of.

I have a puppy tethered to me as I type, he's either tethered to me, in his crate or in his kennel run. He's never loose and I control his environment 100%.

I am not training a working/protection dog. Mine is a small house pet, but I am tethering her while not in crate. I thought it would go more quickly, but soon found out how much scrutiny this takes. So far it is working. She is out of her crate about fifty percent of the time (tethered to me, of course) but I still feel such guilt leaving her in the crate this much. Is this too much time in the crate? Also, when I have her out of the crate and we are not playing/training/going outsite, etc., should she be expected to lie quietly with a toy or something? Or should she be lying quietly or what. She is tethered to me while I type, too.

Nora -

The amount of time it takes a pup to get used to being tethered depends on the pup and how you handle her when tethered. If you play with her often or at random times when she is tethered to you in the house she is more likely to be more hyper active, always expecting or trying to provoke play. This is one reason that playing at certain times or in certain areas is a good idea/having a routine so that things are easier. To add: Also, tiring them out with a few intense play sessions a day works very well, or just knowing your own schedule when you are going to be more sedentary and when you will have time to play, tire her out before you will be sitting or staying put for a while so she is more likely to be calm.

50% of the time in the crate total.. like 50% of the day = 12 hours/day or 50% of the daytime + nightime = 16 hours a day?

If she is getting enough playtime/exercise, pottytime and other mental stimuli such as OB work etc either way it doens't sound like too much. It really depends on the dog and I understand that with the current housebreaking issues you are working through that being in the crate is probably a better idea if you know you cannot be as vigilant as she requires you to be.

What does she currently do when you have her tethered?

Edited by Jennifer Marshal (02/20/2008 10:59 PM)
Edit reason: add

Thanks, again, for the response.

Probably less than 12 hours a day in the crate. I am home all day, most days.

She is active when I have her tethered to me. I have been giving her toys to play with, too. She also attempts to elicit me to play with her. I have been playing with her at random times while she is tethered and sometimes often. We have regular play times and training times so it looks like you have identified my problem.

If I read this correctly, I should expect her to lie quietly if it isn't a play/training time?

I just feel so guilty putting her in the crate that much.

Well, expecting her to lay quietly may be unfair at first, if she has a lot of energy and little outlet she is going to be a bit hyper and wanting to play. Making your play sessions longer or a bit more intense to tire her out more before you are going to be sitting or working for a while will help with this.

If I remember correctly you haven't had her very long/haven't been tethering her very long. It can take a while for both you and the pup to get used to tethering and work out a routine that fits your energy levels and lifestyle. At first a lot of pups are a bit feisty and want to play and take a while to calm down, but if you work at giving her the exercise she needs and the mental stimulation with play and training her overall energy level when not playing will decrease.

My pup is 4.5 mnth. I got him at 10 weeks and he is still either teathered to me or in the crate. He hasn't had an accident in the house in ages but still hasn't told me he hasn't had to go out.

I like the control because I think it has strengthened our bond.

Thanks for the input, Jennifer.

I have had her only about three weeks and have been tethering for about two weeks.

She seems to be doing fine and her being a little restless when I am busy isn't a problem. I guess I just want re-assurance that what I am doing is correct.

The first week I had her she was really hyper but we seem to be finding a schedule that is good for both of us.

So do I not give toys when I have her tethered?

She has had three perfect days on the housetraining but like the above poster, I still don't get a signal to go outside.

Nora, if you give toys it depends on the toys - I would recommend something to chew or keep her calmly busy like a kong versus a squeakie toy that will rile her up.

Regarding signals, if she has been going in the house long enough she may not get it yet that outside is the place to go. It may take extra effort to make outside potty the best darn thing ever for her so that she wants to go outside and thus gives you a warning. Just keep taking her out and praising and praising and treats and happy happy potty! until then

 Quote: Jennifer Marshal

Regarding signals, if she has been going in the house long enough she may not get it yet that outside is the place to go. It may take extra effort to make outside potty the best darn thing ever for her so that she wants to go outside and thus gives you a warning. Just keep taking her out and praising and praising and treats and happy happy potty! until then

Also, signals might not be going to the door or trying to drag you to the door. It could be whining, restlessness, tail up-nose down frantic walking back and forth, turning circles ect....

Ember starts in her crate with a high-pitched whine, then goes to a bark.
While out either tethered or loose in either my office or the living room, she acts frantic and pulls on the lead.

Also, watch your pup outside to see what she/he does just before he/she goes potty. This will give you insight to what body language to look for.

I tethered my pup to housebreak, but that really only took a week. I tied him to the bedpost at night, and he slept on a towel on the floor. When I heard him move, I grabbed him and took him out. I actually slept in my clothes the first few nights so I could get him out fast. He learned very quickly. I think one thing that helped in my case was that he saw my older female going outside, and naturally followed her lead. I have seen that before in dogs.

Like others, I had very bad experiences with rawhide, near chocking, and having to go deep into the mouth to retrieve large pieces. I feel very strongly that it is not safe.

I personally do not recommend tethering a pup to furniture, crating is much safer and more effective. If you don't wake up in time you have a mess that could have been avoided - not to mention pups are fully capable of chewing through most puppy leashes, chewing on the peice of furniture you have them tied to, and chewing the carpet and anything else that comes in contact with their mouths. Not only does this cause damage to the items being chewed but depending on what the pup gets ahold of or chews a piece off of it could be unsafe if they ingest or choke on something. I am glad it worked for you and your pup Polly but I would personally not recommend that method, especially with a dog already known for having housebreaking issues.