So, I wanted to give everyone a little update.
Scout is much better, but it is obvious that he is having some anxiety issues. I have been working with him, and I have to remind myself that he is a puppy. It's obvious because he will not pay attention long, unless, I found, I entice him with bits of cheese.
I bought Susan Garrett's Crate Games, and I really appreciate her work. I did it with him for over an hour on Tuesday, and once he started to get tired and full, it was more difficult. I also had an issue with him not wanting to come out of the crate.
He recognizes two things: if my hand is on the door, and if there is a treat in my hand. Right now I am having to take my hand off of the door, and hold a low-value treat in my right hand to get him to come out. I can get him to come out without a treat, but I have to make it look like I have one.
Sometimes, he comes out for a treat, and dashes right back in, so I am grabbing his collar, and then treat him when out. I know I need to watch the crate games DVD again, but this is working some.
Now the issue comes when, after about a half an hour or more, I try to get him to go in his crate. He doesn't, or he runs right past, or he stands up at the entrance, etc. I have to grab him, and hold him in front, and give him the crate command.
If he's distracted by the cat, too, he won't go in. I've been able to work through getting him to come out, but sometimes he still comes out on his own.
What I am really trying to understand is if there is something wrong, or do we just keep working on it? In the DVD she talks about getting the dogs to love their crates, but he is still not over the fact that we have to leave him in there all day while we are at work.
Thanks! |