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Post by corbesa on Jan 9, 2013 18:24:59 GMT -5
Hi,
Seeking advice on crates. Heidi is in a crate in the morning, taken out at lunch and put back in the afternoon. No longer than 4 hours in the crate at a time. We give her a kong with peanut butter (frozen), a new one for each time. Despite that, she is chewing the tray at the bottom of the crate. To the point we flind blood! I hate the idea of her hurting herself. There are toys in the crate but she doesn't know what to do with them.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
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Post by campgreyhound on Jan 9, 2013 18:44:12 GMT -5
Can you use a baby gate to contain her in one room, and let her out of the crate?
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Post by rubylottie14 on Jan 9, 2013 20:12:03 GMT -5
I think the babygate idea is a great one.
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Post by angelollie on Jan 9, 2013 21:16:50 GMT -5
None of my hounds has ever been crated upon arriving at their Forever Home. I've always chosen one room centrally located in the home and one that the dog would be comfortable in, made sure the room was safe in every way and used a baby gate to contain that new hound. In that room, I left a dog bed, a blanket and a piece of my clothing, turned on a radio or TV. The reason Heidi is chewing her crate is probably because she is bored but with having a little more room to stretch out in, she may be quite happy while you are away. Worth a try!!
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Post by Heather (& KC) on Jan 10, 2013 8:00:22 GMT -5
Dumb question but do you have a big blanket/quilt/pillow in the crate? In hindsight that's the mistake I made when I brought Mr Max home. Knowing how much he loved pillows and couches I can only imagine his horror at being put in a crate with a couple of towels when I left...and in view of a cushy pillow at that! No wonder he refused to go in after a couple of weeks.
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Post by corbesa on Jan 10, 2013 10:04:34 GMT -5
Thank you for the advice. The crate is quite "attractive" with kongs with food, plus lots of cushiony blankets and toys. We have been thinking of the baby gate option - just looking at house and seeing what is viable! We'd prefer on the ceramic just in case of messes but there are lots of wide areas that a babygate just won't fit across. We will give it a try though an see if it is better. I hate to see her hurt herself. Even if it just the hallway until we arrange something better.
Thanks!
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Post by lovinfroggy on Jan 10, 2013 11:24:35 GMT -5
If you go with baby gate, test it first. Our first try with Froggy was 10 mins, but that was enough time for her to chew a door. We are still crating her, and we too had destruction at the beginning. Did you buy your crate new or did another dog use it? We have one that was used prior, and I did wipe it down before Froggy using it. But Frog had an accident (pee) one day so I took out the tray, soaked it, and scrubbed it with dish soap. We also covered the cage a bit with a blanket ( just the back and part of the side) which has made a significant difference ( no peeing, no destruction). Apparently, some pups like a real den experience.
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Post by rubylottie14 on Jan 10, 2013 12:14:15 GMT -5
I've had 4 greyhounds in total and I've never crated any of them. This was never something that was suggested to me by either the Retired Greyhound Trust or the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) a charity vets for people on benefits or low income where I got my first greyhound. They have an animal hospital and a re homing section on the same site.
I'm not sure whether this is a country based difference since I have met many greyhounds through walking my own and none of them have been crated either.
I have been incredibly lucky since my living room is full of things, ornaments, plastic bags with jiffy bags in, cd's, books, dvd's, tealights, floor lamps, rucksak, bean bag, bin liners, pouffe, wicker pig, wellies, and none of them have ever messed with anything. Although Lottie did chew a few pieces of wooden furniture when she first arrived and was only 2.5 years old. Lottie will chew books as I found to my cost, magazines, and plastic bags so they are all put out of her reach.
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troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
Posts: 1,717
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Post by troysmom on Jan 10, 2013 15:05:22 GMT -5
Ghost destroyed his crate after the 3rd day home. His sign that he didn't want it anymore.
I agree with Campgreyhound try a baby gate.
I simply gave Ghost with range of the house with his buddies and no issues since.
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Post by corbesa on Jan 10, 2013 15:35:09 GMT -5
Well, I'm taking the chance the afternoon. She certainly hasn't destroyed her crate (bought new, of course now the tray is cracked and wrecked), nor the blankets in it. After lunch I gave it a try: I've babygated the hallway off (quite wide) and put in her bed. So she has crate, toys, bed, p/b kong and space. Now let's see what happens when I get home! She certainly wasn't paying attention to me when I left :-)
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troysmom
Hound Nut
Troy & Leopold
Posts: 1,717
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Post by troysmom on Jan 10, 2013 20:51:15 GMT -5
Crossing our fingers. Hope she does well.
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moncheri
Grey Addicted
Broodies are the best!
Posts: 2,843
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Post by moncheri on Jan 10, 2013 22:33:39 GMT -5
My first grey howled for 3 nights in the crate so I bought an extra tall dog gate and blocked her in my front den (I needed something to keep her separated from the cats). No more howling and we all slept well from that point on. When she passed on and I brought my next grey home I did not bother with the crate and just used the gate with her. With both dogs I only had to use it for a month before I was certain cats & dog could mingle freely and safely. Now I only use it to barricade animals when I am trying wash floors! Neither of my Greys were ever destructive to the house although Chicky used to destroy the occasional stuffie and collect any slippers, shoes etc she could find.
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Post by corbesa on Jan 11, 2013 11:40:22 GMT -5
Well, I got home and she had knocked the gate down. I looked for and she barked at me from upstairs and came to see me. I checked everywhere and nothing untoward. I'm still nervous and put her in the crate this morning but I might try contained to the main floor today.
Thanks for the advice and I'll let you know how it goes!
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Post by newtothis1 on Jan 11, 2013 18:48:50 GMT -5
I think you are doing the right thing leaving her for small periods of time. Try and extend it by an hour every few days and I',m sure you will find everything is o,k.
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Post by Sally Blossom on Jan 11, 2013 19:43:51 GMT -5
Dear Corbesa:
I had to chuckle to myself as I can just picture her upstairs, barking when you came home as if she was saying "hey, I'm up here and I will be down in a minute to see you"). I understand how frustrating it must be for you, but Heidi is trying everything to see what she can get away with. Be firm, but loving and one day it will all "click" - she sure is trying your patience!!!
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