Quote:

Originally posted by tiggy2:
I have no real experience with PSD or protection dogs so you can disregard this post if it sounds like I'm talking tripe.
I think if the only times the dog is crated is when he's involved with training he is stressing out in anticipation of "the good stuff" and associates training and the crate. Maybe crating him for longer periods (not excessive - just longer) when he will not be training will enable him ot think of the crate as
boring old routine stuff,too. Sled dogs that are boxed only to go training and then right back home
will sometimes exhibit the same drooling,spinning
,digging etc behaviours as soon as they are boxed in anticipation of getting out to do the "good stuff" (running).
Once they get used to the idea that they may have to spend an overnight sleep in it, some of the more excessive behavior wears off. Putting them in the crate or boxes when they are real tired
helps also and eventually they see the crate as a welcome place of rest rather than a nasty old thing keeping them from the fun. Managing the enthusiams of high attitude dogs of any type can be a challenge I guess. I am missing some upholstery, a piece of door trim and a seatbelt
from the time I was helping someone hook up their team and my 14 year old retired leader decided she was missing out on the fun. (It only took 5
minutes!) Like I said I have no knowledge of PSDs
and if you think I'm out of line posting let me know.

When I first got the dog in December( 11 mos. old?), I would crate him in the house at night. As soon as he was put in the crate ( open metal crate ), he would "act up" non-stop for about 2 hours and then stop. But the second he heard any noise in the morning, he would start again until he was let outside. This is prior to him having any type of formal training.

Hi Mike - was this dog crated at all as a puppy
before you got him? Maybe he just never got used to the "crating" idea and sometimes adults that have never been crated are a bit excessive in their reactions to being crated(and slow to catch on to the idea). Maybe you could try a Vari-kennel type of crate vice the wire kind-
at least you can get a grate for the bottom of these and it might keep him above the drool puddle <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The D-Flite aluminum kennels are a little more enclosed and might be an idea also, as sometimes if they can't see out they calm down. Seeing as you already have a wire crate,maybe a crate cover could be something you could try.

First let me say thanks for all the replies.

To Kojak,

Today after an obedience exercise, I then tried to tire him out with a little Fetch as a reward. I then brought him to the crate (vari-kennel) in the rear of my truck, commanded to go inside (no problem). I then did some basic obedience commands. (Sit, Down, Sit, Down, Etc...) The first time I commanded him to Down, He hesitated, upon correction he complied. As he did the exercise, he was totally focused on me and not the crate. I then commanded him to down/stay, and slowly closed the gate. After a couple seconds, I opened it. I repeated the opening and closing of the gate, and extended the amount of time that the gate was closed. (He did not break the Down/stay)
I completed the exercise by commanding him to come out, praising him and then putting him in our run where he could relax.
It seems that he didn't realize he could lay down in the crate. I'm going to build on this and hopefully he will come to relax in the damn thing.
If i'm doing something that doesn't sound right, please let me know.
I truly appreciate all the help. I getting tired of mopping up spit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Mike have you tried leaving something with your scent in the crate. Perhaps the t-shirt you wore yesterday. It worked miracles for me.

milt

To Mike,

Great job. You would be surprised to know how many guys in blue I give this kennel in, kennel out command and it save thier car, thier home, thier marriage, and most of all thier hair.
So keep up the good work.
As for where this should progress too, Well lets see.
Keep up the kennel work in the truck. Then use a longline and repeat at greater distances.
For now I'd skip the fetch stuff, it just gets your dog worked up. (granted I know you think it gets him tired). Now don't get me wrong play fetch but not as a habit just before putting him away. Instead of fetch at that time find the praise through this extended kennel work. You got to get to a point where you are really praising your dog for the right thing and not correcting to get the right thing.
So for a week or two, work the kennel just as you have been. Kennel in/ kennel out 10 to 20 times, free the dog up and praise. sit to down, kennel in to down, then work on an automatic down once in the kennel. Then work all of this from greater distances.
Then Really look for the time to praise,,,,, If it is only brief for now, fine, but you got to find it. This dog is your partner you should be able to calm your buddy. Right?
So look for it and when you do you will find the relief.

Question for you, have you ever worked the dog in the kennel in your house, place of work, or at the park, or anywhere?

Keep up the good work....KOJAK

Here's to using JP-5 to put out a fire, where is Vancamp in all of this?

Here's to using JP-5 to put out a fire, where is Vancamp in all of this?

Jet fuel HUH? HMMMM I never said anything about jet fuel.

Why wait for Vancamp, Just ask your question, or proof my explaination of the work. I am incredibly open to learning. Mike and his dog, which is the important thing here, seems to be doing better. keep up the Good work Mike.
KOJAK

Az Trooper:

Hey everyone likes his suggestion and it's working. Who am I to suggest otherwise? I personally do not agree. My old dog Rabiat Von Leerburg had problems with the crate due to an unbelievable drive that I was not able to properly focus. This led to drive control problems. Trust me. The above technique would have zero effect on him.

ya just never know until ya try.

well...ya didnt know about it so you couldnt have tried it. bet he was just a big ole softy....one sit command in his crate and if he was still around bet he'd still be sittin workin that drive <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You can make fun of me, my girlfriend even my mother but don’t even go there with Rabiat. There are only a handful of trainers in the world who could have taken what Otis and Dakato produced and channeled that into success.