Well don't do that... your dog can't call the fire department or police, + if you take your dog anywhere with you... he won't be much help either.

Sorry I guess to answer your question there Abdul-Karim, the whole site is about the sequence of training for protection of family and home, sport etc... I won't presume to assume your training background or your dogs training , but I think you may want to rephrase your question to be more spicific. Along with some basic background on where your dog is currently in training.

Bravo Lonny, Good post. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks everyone! We're keeping the crate and will be building her a run in the very near future. The yard is fenced, but she just realized she could climb the fence. Not jump, CLIMB. The rabbit in the next yard was just too much temptation. The next time someone gives me crap I'll give them the animal control phone number. Thanks again.

Jackie

My question about the crate is what about people who want their dog to guard the house while their out? Can a dog be trained to leave things alone?

Pauline

Jacklyn,if your dog is a climber be sure to put a roof on the kennel run!The open end can be enclosed w/ chain link, otherwise your dog may be gone! or you could electrify the top w/ a hot wire.

Pauline--unless your dog is trained very specifically to do so, he's not really going to be physically driving off intruders. However, lots of really angry sounding barking can be as effective as anything else and unless you post on the door that your dog is crated who's to know? Just don't put the crate by a window where it can be seen from outside.

By about 10 months we could let our guy have the run of the house at night. Mostly, he slept outside our bedroom door. By then his chewing had dwindled down to a couple of "weaknesses" --socks and used tissues so we just made sure that the bathroom and bedroom doors were closed and the laundry hamper was out of reach. :rolleyes: I don't think we will let him have the run of the house when we are not there for awhile yet. He has his own room where he spends 5 hours while I am at work which is not a very long day.

This may be a little off-topic although it concerns chewing. Does anyone have any opinions on whether a dog could understand the concept of "swap". I watched ours very deliberatly come down the basement stairs with one of his toys in his mouth, walk into the laundry room, to the hamper, drop his toy in and trot out with a pair of socks which he had apparently "traded" it for. Is that possible <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ??

We eased them into the house run - room by room,
using children gates.
Also, can limit chewing by giving them a better choice (Raw Bones).

Jacklyn- the next time you may be questioned about the crate, explain the psychology behind it and how it is beneficial to the well being of the dog. (it is the dog's den, it's place of safety and security). Sometimes we have to be nice to idiots and give them the benefit of the doubt. (Sometimes)

GSD42- I sympathize, my little sneak takes her toy that has been substituted for the table leg, back to the area of the table and just when you thought she was behaving, is hiding behind the toy and gnawing on the leg! I think it is time for the bitter apple on the cotton ball correction that Ed promotes! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Seeing as how this thread is along the lines of chewing & crating. What do most people put in their crates for dogs to lay on? I have used about everything we can find & think of, my girl is crate trained, but during times I am away she chews where ever is in there for her to lay on.
While I am home, she will go in for her nap and doesn't chew at all, When I have to leave her, I put some treats and kong in to occupy her.