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How do I train a new dog differently than my old dog? |
I recently was given a 9 month soon-to-be neutered Boxer boy just as we were moving into our new house. We brought our German Shepherd over at the same time, so the house was new for both (the Shepherd had a unique living situation as a well-behaved "guard dog" at a warehouse art gallery, so he had the luxury of coming and going as he pleased). The Shepherd is very well-trained and focused, and consequently, isn't crate-trained. We're crate training the boxer, but keeping the shepherd in the same room when we leave so as not to make the Boxer feel deserted. But now the Boxer is breaking out of his cage. Should we separate them further? Should we put the Shepherd outside the room so the Boxer won't be encouraged to pursue damaging behavior (breaking the cage open)? Or should we leave the Shep in but further secure the Boxer's crate and risk him hurting himself? Thanks in advance! It sounds to me like the boxer was a poor choice for you. They are active and energetic breeds, not to mention fairly large, and it sounds like you do not have a yard for him. No dog is going to like a crate for an entire work day. They are den animals. It is against their nature to eliminate in their dens. Can you reliably refrain from elimination for the amount of time you are requesting this of the boxer? If the dog must be kept indoors, it should be trained to respect your property. This mostly involves paper training and being given chew toys so it leaves the shoes and furniture alone. Crate-trained is a term normally used to describe a method of house breaking. The other use of the term normally means getting a dog to accept a crate for travel or show purposes. I have seen some breeders keep small breeds in crates as a permanent arrangement, but this was done by people seriously into the dog hobby who could take each dog out for socialization and elimination several times each day. If you are determined to keep the dog and keep him in a crate, covering the cage as mentioned in other responses will not do much good. We use our eyes to the exclusion of our other senses, but dogs do not. Do not apply human psychology to dogs. The German Shepherd is full grown and certainly alpha between the two of them, and you are alpha to both of them. The boxer should not expect equal rights, but he will not like being contained for very long. If the crate you have now will not keep him in, there is likely little you can practically do to make that crate work. A better crate is in order. Your question did say you are in a new house, not apartment; so my best suggestion is putting up a good fence. I waited years to get the dogs I wanted because I know that to do right by them I would need a large yard and a tall tight fence. I also knew that neither they nor I would enjoy each other if I did not supply the right circumstances for the friends I wanted. An older German Shepherd will likely spend most of his time on his side until he knows you want his attention. A young boxer will be a ball of energy most of the time he is out of a crate if he lives most of his life in a crate. Even if he does not live in a crate, he is not likely to be the laid back dog the shepherd is for several years -- even with the fix coming up. Is this a good match for you? Hope this helps. Hope this helps. boxer thinks he is being left out forget the crate I don't think it would help to remove him from the Shepherd. If he wants out of the crate, he'll probably break out anyway. I'd try to secure the crate better, if you can. You could try a day of putting the boxer somewhere else, just to see. But I'm surprised the boxer is breaking out- I'd suggest that once you get him potty trained, you let him be out of the crate. you need to find out if the boxer is having separation anxiety over not being with you ...it may have nothing to do with your dog ......something else you may try is re training to the crate by slowly introducing him to it using treats etc and feeding him in the crate -- so he starts to associate it as the "happy place to be" never use the crate for punishment...another thing is try covering the crate so they don't see each other .....you may also try using something like the BUSTER CUBE (or a similar toy) for his food to keep him "busy" you place his dinner or breakfast in it and he has to work at it to get it out...offering him something to do instead of breaking out. of course the best advice is to consult a trainer near you for better help with this issue...check with your vet local animal shelter or pet store for a recommendation........ |
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