Hello,

My Basset has run a habit of getting into things and on counters. He
is about five years old and doesn't like to go in a room while the
house is empty. I think is because he doesn't want to be left alone.
We used to use his crate when he would be bad. When I put him in his
crate now he get fussy and makes a big deal about it. What can I do to
make this easier on both of us? I really like him and don't want to
get rid of him.

Thanks,
Zak

Anyone have ideas to share?

On 6 Feb 2005 19:11:27 -0800, wrote:

Hello,

My Basset has run a habit of getting into things and on counters. He
is about five years old and doesn't like to go in a room while the
house is empty. I think is because he doesn't want to be left alone.
We used to use his crate when he would be bad. When I put him in his
crate now he get fussy and makes a big deal about it. What can I do to
make this easier on both of us? I really like him and don't want to
get rid of him.

No, he doesn't want to be left alone. No dog does. They're very
social animals, and feel abandoned when they're not with their packs.

What you need to do is associate the crate with good, fun things. One
great tool is a kong stuffed with peanut butter and frozen. Give it
to him only when he's in the crate, and remove it when he's out of the
crate.

Also, what do you do when he "gets fussy?" He's saying, "Hey, hey,
pay attention to me!!!" So do you? :} If so - even to yell at him -
you're reinforcing the fussiness. Put him in for short periods of
time when you're home and he can see you, and totally ignore him if
he's fussing. As soon as he's quiet, give him immediate attention and
maybe a tasty treat.

--
Leah Roberts, Family Dog Trainer
It's A Dog's World
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Get Healthy, Build Your Immune System, Lose Weight
http://re-vita.net/dfrntdrums

on 2005-02-06 at 20:45 wrote:

Anyone have ideas to share?

patience! not everyone is waiting around to cater to our
whims. i, for one, was sleeping when you posted your
question.

first, you made a mistake in using your dog's crate to punish
him. a crate should be a safe, pleasant place for your dog to
retreat to. i would suggest that you start feeding him in his
crate. give him treats and toys in his crate. (a Kong
stuffed with kibble and sealed with peanut butter is usually
appealing to dogs.) you need to give him a reason to *like*
his crate.

once he starts to learn that good things happen in his crate,
you can start leaving him in it for short periods of time.
gradually build up the amount of time he is crated until you
can leave him in his crate while you are not home.

unless he has separation anxiety (and it doesn't sound to
me like he does) this should be a fairly easy and
straightforward process.

--
shelly
http://home.bluemarble.net/~scouvrette
http://cat-sidh.blogspot.com/ (updated dailyish, apparently)