Rescue: Should he NOT be caged?

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Curious what you all think about this? My dog is 6 and is a rescue. I've had him for about 3 months now. Up until this point he's been sleeping with me while I found a suitable cage for him.

The past few nights, I've been having him sleep in his cage. I put a nice blanket over it to shut out all the light to help him sleep. He also has a dirty tshirt of mine. For the most part, he goes to be with no issue. Some crying and squirming but after a little while he's quiet and sleeps fine.

My issue is right now. It's daytime, and I have him in here in his cage (I'm in the living room w/ him) He is yapping, panting with his tongue out, and clawing to get out. Is this only because I'm sitting right here? I'm trying to ignore him and not rush to his aid because I know that will be counter productive.

Ok, so now as I'm typing I'm looking at him. His back is to me, but he's shaking as if he's cold. Is caging not for him?

[Deuce]

Why are you caging him? It is possible that it is because he sees you that he is making such a ruckus, but it's possible that it's because this is such a huge change from what he has been used to for the last 3 months. Do you know his history? This may be the first time he's been subject to staying in a cage.

[roseslevi]

I would say...and I am no expert, that if he was a puppy mill rescue, he should never be caged again. Just my opinion.

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Originally Posted by Deuce

Why are you caging him? It is possible that it is because he sees you that he is making such a ruckus, but it's possible that it's because this is such a huge change from what he has been used to for the last 3 months. Do you know his history? This may be the first time he's been subject to staying in a cage.

I am trying to get him used to being in the cage while I'm away at work. Up until now, I've been working at night. So, while i'm home my brother is here. But, when I start to leave to work days, there will be no one here with him.

I do know he is a rescue from Amish Puppy mills and he was used for breeding.

Originally Posted by roseslevi

I would say...and I am no expert, that if he was a puppy mill rescue, he should never be caged again. Just my opinion.

Thanks

[loveyorks]

I would not cage him. Why don't you try an X-pen when you are not at home. Or confine him to one area of the house, ie. kitchen, bathroom, etc.

[Sammy Mommy]

Instead of caging him, is there a room (kitchen, bathroom, spare room) that you could keep him in when you are not home and use a baby gate so he doesn't feel closed in? If he was in a puppy mill, he was probably in a cage most of the time. If he was in a gated room at least he would have some freedom and stay safe at the same time. Good Luck!!

[Buster Brown]

Perhaps when he is in his cage with you the door could be left open so he feels he is not confined to the cage? He may miss the comfort of sleeping with you and then when awake if he is still confined it may bring up issues from his earlier life. Does he have access to water when he is in the crate? Just wondering why it would be counterproductive to rush to his aid? I have never rescued so I do not know the issues associated with a rescue. Bless you for rescuing him.

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

Instead of caging him, is there a room (kitchen, bathroom, spare room) that you could keep him in when you are not home and use a baby gate so he doesn't feel closed in? If he was in a puppy mill, he was probably in a cage most of the time. If he was in a gated room at least he would have some freedom and stay safe at the same time. Good Luck!!

I was encouraged on YT to not put him in the bathroom because he could fall in the toilet. I have had him in the bathroom before he seems to hate that more than the cage - go figure.

I wouldn't have a problem keeping him in a spare room, but I don't want to risk him having an accident in the house. I take him to potty often, but when I leave he sometimes has accidents. He doesn't go on potty pads either.

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

Just wondering why it would be counterproductive to rush to his aid?

I've read of others who cage train and they mention when the doggie starts to cry or plead to be let out to not give in. It counterproductive because if you're training them to sleep on their own in cage, why take them out and put them back in the bed with you. So, that's why I said counterproductive.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Nasdaq_Diva

I was encouraged on YT to not put him in the bathroom because he could fall in the toilet. I have had him in the bathroom before he seems to hate that more than the cage - go figure.

I wouldn't have a problem keeping him in a spare room, but I don't want to risk him having an accident in the house. I take him to potty often, but when I leave he sometimes has accidents. He doesn't go on potty pads either.

Yikes, lol, I'd hate to have to pull a dog out of the toilet. Maybe put the seat lid down?

Did you close the door on him? Yorkies don't like being put behind closed doors, nor do they like us being behind closed doors, lol. Maybe a baby gate in the doorway to keep him confined but to keep him from feeling totally locked in?

[brian224]

Originally Posted by Nasdaq_Diva

I was encouraged on YT to not put him in the bathroom because he could fall in the toilet. I have had him in the bathroom before he seems to hate that more than the cage - go figure.

I wouldn't have a problem keeping him in a spare room, but I don't want to risk him having an accident in the house. I take him to potty often, but when I leave he sometimes has accidents. He doesn't go on potty pads either.

My Brando is not a big fan of the bathroom either, but we still do it. Just make sure the lid is down on the toilet. He cant lift it up and then fall in.

I hate the cages/crates and cant bring myself to lock him in his.

Pads will work, you just have to keep taking him to them. We pad trained ours and now he is about 90% pee trained and about 50% poop trained. Plus, its not like its a mountain of poop anyway, just a little turd that picks right up.

[megansmomma]

I really do not see why he could not be crated while you are at work. Many dog find it comforting to have a crate to go to when they want to feel safe. As for crying to come out if it were me I would let him out when he cries. I'd also make sure that his crate is associated with good things like special treats. Many times if a dog is a puppy mill rescue they feel very secure in their crate so why take it away from him?

Here is a great sticky with all kinds of info to read
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...nt-advice.html

Let me add that Pebbles was crated as a puppy and for a while I took her crate away. About 6 months ago I decided to purchase a new crate and she jumped right back into it. When I saw how much she missed her crate I actually felt bad that I had taken it away.

[Nasdaq_Diva]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I really do not see why he could not be crated while you are at work. Many dog find it comforting to have a crate to go to when they want to feel safe. As for crying to come out if it were me I would let him out when he cries. I'd also make sure that his crate is associated with good things like special treats. Many times if a dog is a puppy mill rescue they feel very secure in their crate so why take it away from him?

Here is a great sticky with all kinds of info to read
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...nt-advice.html

Let me add that Pebbles was crated as a puppy and for a while I took her crate away. About 6 months ago I decided to purchase a new crate and she jumped right back into it. When I saw how much she missed her crate I actually felt bad that I had taken it away.

Thanks! I've read that thread like 4-5x and I don't recall it ever mentioning cages. Anywho, thanks for the response. I already have one of my t-shirts in there. Guess I'll start dropping a couple treats in there from time to time too.

[Britster]

I don't see a problem with crating him, but I really don't see a reason to crate him while you are home? I dogsit and all the dogs that stay in crates stay in the crate all day while their owners are not home, but when their owners ARE home (off work, etc)... the dog is out of the crate. Obviously if someone is home, the dog is not going to want to stay in the crate. Jackson would never tolerate being crated while I am in the room w/ him (and neither would any of the dogs I watch, they are always out of crate when humans are home)... but when he's home alone, nobody is here, he wouldn't even care. He just sleeps anyways. We have not used a crate since he was 16 weeks old though, he has free roam now. He also sleeps in my bed every night and always has. Is there a particular reason you're not allowing him to sleep on the bed anymore? (I know some people don't like it, but it seems you didn't care since he was sleeping on your bed before).

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by Nasdaq_Diva

Thanks! I've read that thread like 4-5x and I don't recall it ever mentioning cages. Anywho, thanks for the response. I already have one of my t-shirts in there. Guess I'll start dropping a couple treats in there from time to time too.

Unless you are trying to potty train there really should be no reason why he would need to spend time in his crate while you are home. You could also tether him to your side while he is out of his crate. The crate should be used for keeping him safe while you are not home or for a safe haven IMO.

I would leave the door open so that he could go in and out as he would like while you are home. Leave the door open-like I mentioned if he is potty trained.

You don't want him associating his crate with you dropping a couple of treats in-just because. What I meant by a treat was more when he first goes into his crate you could give a treat to associate it with something positive.