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Subject: Let sleeping dogs lie ...

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everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3164

09/29/2007 5:58 PM
When we bought Bogart home, we were determined that he would be crate-trained in the house ... which he IS, but a little too well. Now that he is almost 7 months old, and the cool weather is coming, we would like him to be able to lie down and watch tv with us when we return home from his evening walk. But he just can't seem to sleep outside of his crate. He can be totally bagged, but will only sleep once he's locked up tight in his crate. Normally, he's dead to the world in less than 5 minutes. Putting him in the crate, without the door locked doesn't work either -- he'll just push the door open and hop all over the place. We won't even get into the pillow discussion since we all know how quickly a GSP can destroy a dog bed. Any suggestions on how to get him to sleep outside the crate?

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

Chase

Roseville, Ca

MH
Posts:72

09/30/2007 11:48 AM
With Chase, we started with basic house manners. We got him when he was 15 months and totally crate trained also, wouldnt sleep anywhere else. He didnt have good house manners so we had to teach him what was acceptable and what was not. We picked a spot for him to lay down in the evening and worked on down and stay. He quickly got the hint where his spot was and appropriate behaivior in the house. Play time was for outside. We also use treats and chews only at night when he came in so he would lay down and focus on that long enough to settle down. Then we introduced a bed, and funny thing was he would only lay on it in "his spot". I like the crate thing, but my hubby leaves for work at 2 am and I wanted Chase to be ready to let me know if there was an intruder. Now he sleeps on his bed in our room all night with no problem. It didnt take long, maybe a few weeks. Give it time and patience. Your pup is young and GSP's are smart. He'll figure it out. Andrea

everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3164

09/30/2007 5:58 PM
Thanks for the advice. We will keep trying! We bought him a(nother) pillow today and put in right in his crate. He hasn't destroyed it yet. We're hoping eventually he'll get used to the pillow and we will be able to move it out into the room. We'll see how that goes

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

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