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Are dogs ever too old to be crate-trained? & vent
My Shelties began life crate-trained, but we discontinued. Mostly because our boy got increasingly distressed when crated. He would bark for hours on end, and big stuffed Kongs, etc. did nothing to help. And he isn't destructive in the house, so it wasn't a big deal to stop crating him. When we stopped crating him, we stopped crating both.
Our girl, who is 7, is a very anxious dog (on Prozac) and seems comforted by enclosure, plus she struggles with accidents because she never tells us when she needs to go out. Especially overnight.
At age 7, would you reintroduce the crate if she's been without for 5 years?
We will not be crating our boy. He has lymphoma and is already on borrowed time. We weren't supposed to have him past Christmas, so we are not about to stress him.
And if I can veer off in a completely different direction, this may be the only place I can vent about something relating to him. I thought their regular groomer would like to see him again one last time, he hadn't been in since diagnosis. I explained that he had cancer and asked for exception to their procedure, so he could just stay for a short time and be bathed and dried all at once without waiting. I thought he'd feel better to be all clean.
I almost fell over when I picked him up. She buzzed him. My DH dropped him off. I did remind him to say "bath and brush only" and while he admits he forgot to say this, why why why would you assume "puppy cut" in the dead of winter? In all the years we've taken them there, there has only been once they've been buzzed -- it was late last summer, because our boy had a nasty skin infection and I wanted to keep a closer eye on his skin for awhile. And it was hot.
I actually cried about this -- I'm just sick about it. He is gorgeous when his hair is all full and we'll never see it like that again. He looks like an overgrown jack russel terrier right now. He is all ears. I know it shouldn't matter, but we have been taking so many pictures of him and snuggling him and my mom even suggested I keep a lock of his hair. Which I can't, now. More importantly, the prednisone has suppressed his immune and we keep fighting various infections - eyes, ears...and this isn't the time for him to be naked in the cold. He loves to go outside.
I should focus on the positive because he shouldn't even still be with us, but it was upsetting.
Re: Are dogs ever too old to be crate-trained? & vent
I think the grooming issue would upset me, too, in that situation. I'm sorry
I don't think there is any problem with reintroducing the crate to your other pup. Sounds like she might benefit from a safe spot right now.
I am SO SORRY that happened to your pooch. I would be livid. My collie was scarred from treatment he received at a groomer (he actually fell off a table and the groomer lied about it). I would actually call back and tell them the impact what they did has on your pooch...
...and yes, you can reintroduce the crate. You can start by putting enticing things in there. I actually started crating my 16 year old small terrier at night a few months ago because he would mark the house overnight. He was reluctant at first, but I put pillow and blanket in there and now he loves it. So, if I can do it with a 16 year old dog you can definitely reintroduce it!!!
Good luck and I hope your pooch recovers from the groomers.
You will forever be my best friend. I can almost feel our hugs. I will ensure everyone will know (now and in the future) what a genuine, kind, loving person you were...I already miss your laughter and our daily conversations. I love you, Samantha. May 20, 1983- February 20, 2012
Thanks for your replies. I think I will try it.
And I realized my post may have sounded offensive to Jack Russell Terriers.
No offense intended, only meant to say he does not look like himself!
Zeus and Bubba
So sorry to hear that your boy is sick. I would be upset too at his hair being cut short and not getting to keep a lock of hair.
About your girl though, you mentioned she doesn't let you know when she needs to go out... is this because she won't bark? We had this problem with our beagle. The breeder had taught him to never bark (don't get me started) and he would just stand at the back door and stare if he had to go out. This was annoying, and not effective because if we didn't see him after awhile he would pee. So I taught him to ring a bell to go out, and it was really easy! Now he still doesn't bark, but he will walk over and ring his bell, and if we don't hear him the first time he will ring it again after awhile (a little louder).
The weird thing is, he has never had a problem barking to come in? But if you think that technique might work with your girl, then I would be happy to let you know how we did it.
And I'm sure the Jack Russell Terrier's took no offense at all