BNM1980 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Hi Everyone, Blake and I are back in business after his traumatic operation and are working on basic training. Everything is going well, but I have a quick question about settling indoors I need some help with. We have a largish cage in the living room for Blake as well as a basket in my study. When Blake's in his cage, he lies down on his blanket and is quiet. I really want him to be with me in the study, where I spend a lot of time, but he just won't settle out of his cage, or stay in his nice basket. Yes, he's getting plenty of exercise—around two or more hours a day and a lot of attention too. I think it's because he's being crate trained and the study—and indoor freedom generally—is still a relatively new thing for him. He wants to chew computer cables, dig the linoleum, remove wallpaper, etc. He will stay in his basket if I really make him, but then he goes nuts chewing the basket and blanket and barking and carrying on. In short, I have a dog that has to be confined to his cage when indoors. Will he just grow out of this? Or do I need to teach him to settle? What do you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooky Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I'll be interested to see others' responses to this. In our case there would be little use of me putting Odin in any basket without a directly commanded stay, which doesn't always equate to "settle" if he is staying expectantly. He will settle inside but sometimes the settling process takes varying degrees of encouragement (some leave-it commands, down commands, giving him a chew toy if he's having a difficult time). But routine helps too. When I first get home, he does not want to be calm, but later as I settle he does too, in sight of me but not necessarily in the same place every day. He settles for mealtimes automatically, knowing a very well behaved, patient, non-begging dog may get a treat. But for times when I absolutely need a calm, immobile dog while I really am absorbed in something, like at work, nothing beats a crate. Would you consider a second crate for your office? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms.DaisyDuke Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 I would either just put him in his cage while you're in the study or maybe give him something more appropriate to chew on while he should be in his basket. A kong or a bone. Something to keep him quiet and busy. Keep him leashed so he can't get up and wander. Eventually he will learn that when you are in the study, he should be quiet. Maybe a second, smaller crate for the study would be a good idea to. The crate has 4 walls, a roof and a door, the basket does not. Just imagine trying to get a kid to sit in the middle of a room without moving, but there are all kinds of super neat-o things to smell, touch and taste. How long do you think he's going to stay there for? (I am one of those who'd crate a kid if allowed though! ) I am pretty sure he'll grow out of it. Or, a better way of putting it, he will grow up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetlander Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Will he just grow out of this? Or do I need to teach him to settle? What do you suggest? How old is Blake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Scott Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Our house is decorated with crates for our 4 BCs. For awhile I used the crate in my office as a desk for my laptop...worked great! Also have a crate/TV table in the bedroom and 2 crate/end tables in the living room. The funny thing was when we had our kitchen redone; the designer actually told me that she thought the kitchen set the tone for the entire house. I said I thought the dog crates in the living room actually set the tone for our house! What could she say??? Barb S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mona Howard Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 You can actually teach your dog a command to settle down. I learned this by accident. My young dog is pretty high drive and will get to pacing the room sometimes when she thinks we should be playing or such. Once I crossly told her: Will you relax!!!" and she went and laid down. A little light bulb came on and I stored that away. After a few more repeats I can now tell her rather quietly: "Relax". She'll give me a dissappointed look and go to her bed with a big dramatic sigh. I'm really glad she has this command now when I'm tired or such. Mona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BNM1980 Posted January 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 How old is Blake? Blake is 6 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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