Crate

[pt_as]

Hi, any suggestions would be appreciated!

We have just got home and we no longer have carpet on our landing!!!

Unfortunately we are very close to having to give Jude up as we can not afford him & the cost of repairs.

A crate has been suggested to us. But I don't know what size to get...

Juse is nearly 7months and VERY big for his age.

Does he need crating or does he need company 24/7?!

[super D]

I cant help with the crate situation as i have never owned one.
But have you exercised Jude before going out, how about leaving a stuffed kong, treat ball, toys and stuff when your out and about and Jude is home.
Just my opinion, but usually a stimulated, exercised dog doesnt want to get into mischief they just wanna sleep and chill.
Hope this helps so you dont have to rehome him

As far as a crate is concerned, I would go for the 48inch crate from the start, it is less stressful for the dog to keep changing it anyway, but from the sound of it, if he is a big fella, then thats the size I would suggest, weither you think the cost is worth it as you are thinking of giving Juse up is another thing,..can you share your problem with us, we might have some suggestion that you may find helpfull, I am sure you dont want to give your dog up

No he doesnt NEED company 24/7, I am sure he would like it, but all our dogs should be trained to be left alone when it is needed, I suggest you start by leaving him in a room by himself for very short periods, and slowly increase the length of time, and he will get the idea that its not a big deal and that you will return soon

Stuart

[Weehev]

hi there

sorry to hear ur predicament. i had problems with zico and destructive chewing, also when he was 7-8 mnths old (must be a phase), i crated him from day one, but took him out of it at 6 months old, i then re-introduced it for when i was at work to stop him eating the walls, banister, table, couch.........you name it, he chewed it! i used this for bout 2 months then gradually let him have one room at a time til i knew he was over the chewing phase.

zac is now 8 months and today i came downstairs to discover he had chewed and destroyed my brand new high heels :-( i will be considering the crate again for him if he starts on any of the furniture.

the crate i have is the large, sorry not sure of the exact dimensions, id say its about 3-4ft long and 2 ft high. i got it off ebay for £35, worth looking to see if there are any online, coz they can cost £80 in pet shops.

i hope you can work through this and dont have to re-home him.

xx

[pt_as]

Thanks for the replies.

Before we went out Jude had a hour walk off the lead darting around as he does.

When we go out, he is left with the majority of his toys, which some do have treats in.

We are looking at the 48" crate, does anyone know a good website? So far ebay is coming up the best.

[super D]

Just another question sorry, How long do you leaveJUde for, maybe you could build the time up you have to leave him

[pt_as]

Today he was left for 2hrs!

The most he is usually left for is 4hrs, so I wouldn't say he is ever left for too long and what he has done after 2hrs is annoying as he is left for longer.

[super D]

hmmm, very tricky....

[charlie]

Hi have u thought about just having him in one designated room in the house this is the best way to build up structure gradually after chewing occurs also think about what items he likes and has previously chewed and put either bitter apple spray or vapour rub onto relavant items in the room u choose the one i would recomend at this stage would be the kitchen.
In a ideal world the crate mite suit u but ur dog will never learn boundaries this way u may stop using in the future to find ur home chewed once again and always think about what teething toys ur giving ur boy this is very important to eleviate any pain caused by his mature canines coming thru.
And any negative reinforcement giving for chewing never resolves any dog from doin so also.

Mind you,.. just a personal view, but 7 months could be a bit young for being left 4 hrs,..especialy if he wasnt trained for it,.. do you have someone who would pop in and put him out mid way through your time away?

Stuart