Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

redstatebluegirl

(12,264 posts)
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 12:17 PM Dec 2017

Kennel issues.

Hi, we have adopted another retired champion doxie at our house. We have two other ones her mother and half brother. She was fine in the kennel on the way home, at the hotel overnight but once we got to the house she threw a fit when we put her in theOur kennel in the dog's room. Our dogs have always been in the kennel when we are away. I work part time so they are in there a half day each day. We have never had an issue.

We put her in the kennel using the code word her breeder told us. She went in fine, when we got home the blanket in her kennel was destroyed, everything was wet including her, from the slobbering and foaming. She was VERY upset. It broke my heart! We have tried to begin the crate training again from scratch to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions?

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

hlthe2b

(101,728 posts)
3. she is showing pretty normal anxiety. Removed from breeder's home to strange premises and left by
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 12:26 PM
Dec 2017

herself to deal with her stress the only way she knew how.

She needs TIME to adjust and that means being there to get her on a schedule, to reassure her, to introduce her to all that is unfamiliar, and to teach her that the kennel is not a punishment but a refuge. Right now, the kennel is associated with fear and being alone in unfamiliar premises. If instead she had some time with her new family, who introduced her to the kennel when no one was leaving her--perhaps taught her to sleep in it with the door open, it would have a very different connotation.

Sure, you can use anti-anxiety meds like prozac or tranquilizers, as many will tell you, but that is not solving the problem and may even add to them.

I always try to convince those planning on getting a new dog to do so when they (or a family member) have a minimum of two weeks to be there with them and ease the adjustment as well as focus on the house-training if a puppy is involved.

Good luck

redstatebluegirl

(12,264 posts)
5. We have done this 9 times in the past 20 years.
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 12:28 PM
Dec 2017

I was home with her the first two weeks she has bonded with my husband more than me which is also abnormal for our dogs. She is an adult, not a puppy, she is a retired champion who had two litters before being "retired" to our forever home. I won't medicate her, I will keep trying to crate train.

hlthe2b

(101,728 posts)
6. Not all dogs are alike. I know you have the best of intentions, but this dog is highly stressed.
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 12:32 PM
Dec 2017

You may need a professional to help you--especially if this is the exception to all the dogs you have had before.

Retired champion is meaningless in this context, except to underscore she may have cumulative stress from her time on the show circuit.

Irish_Dem

(45,636 posts)
7. Yes pets, like humans, have different temperaments. We also don't know what traumatic
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 12:44 PM
Dec 2017

events may have occurred in this pet's life prior to adoption.

And if now something that is considered benign is stressing her out even more and
causing more trauma in the long run.

I think you are doing the right thing to get some help and advice since the standard methods
which have always worked in the past are not working for this pet.

Corvo Bianco

(1,148 posts)
4. I'm sorry! It's sad and stressful when pets can't calm down.
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 12:28 PM
Dec 2017

My dog recently decided kennels were unacceptable (he's 13 and retired). He would get himself worked up and get really hot and bark, pant, cough the entire time I was away.

I got a pet gate that confines him to a corner of the room. This more open confinement method isn't causing him the same anxiety that the crate was.

Good luck hopefully most of it is the uneasiness of new surroundings.

procon

(15,805 posts)
9. Change the type and size of the kennel.
Fri Dec 22, 2017, 02:47 PM
Dec 2017

Switch from an enclosed crate to an open wire cage or even a larger wire pen. The wire pen was preferred by my own dog, and it folds up when not in use. Privacy or more personal space might be another issue, so try giving her a wider space away from the others, or a cave type bed she can hide in.

redstatebluegirl

(12,264 posts)
11. Thanks everyone.
Sun Dec 31, 2017, 02:24 PM
Dec 2017

I had a friend who is a professional trainer come over last week. She had some good suggestions. She thinks that her whole routine was changed and it freaked her out. We took her to her facility and acted like it was a show. We took her into the ring and she was calm and confident, so happy. Afterward we put her in a kennel, she went down and went to sleep, totally calm. She has been much better since that day. Not sure what the mindset is but it worked. We also went from a plastic kennel to a wire crate like the other dogs have. She seemed to prefer that. No panting or chewing.

We shall see if it continues . Weird how their minds work isn't it?

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Pets»Kennel issues.