Am I doing the right thing? "FU" or "I'm Sorry"?

[LoveMyJake]

I don't think a crate should be used for punishment, especially if you are crate training or using the crate as a bed, or if you take your dog to the vet in the crate.

I would try using heavier bowls. I'm including a link to weighted down bowls which may help.

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[For My Coby]

Originally Posted by Erin

I use crates for time out and my dogs still like their crates. It's just that you can't think of time out as punishment, but rather "you don't get to hang out with me right now, chill in your crate for a while" then when they settle down they can come out. Loki gets time outs when he constantly scratches at the door even though he has been out 18 times and gone for a walk, or for barking. I put him in there before *I* go crazy. Sammy gets time outs for general craziness and for being mouthy. I don't know if she quite gets it. Loki totally knows that the crate is a "warning" and his behavior improves significantly after a time out.

Also mine get a treat for going in their crate. Loki will run to his crate from anywhere in the house on command because he knows it means he gets a cookie.

This sounds exactly like our house. Crating doesn't have to be a punishment, but more a withdrawal of reward - being with me. In my opinion, it's more about the attitude that you exhibit when crating. I am not cross when sending Coby to his kennel.... it is just a command, same as every day. The removal of reward is the consequence of his not listening or whatever. And like Loki, Coby not only goes in his kennel on command from anywhere, he watches the "getting ready" actions and if there's no leash or dog carrier involved, he's typically already waiting in his kennel for his treat.

I would also not be suprised if the pee was a submissive "I'm sorry" pee. We had a puppy mill pup with horrible submissive pee problems and read a lot about it. The more "sorry" or "not trying to be a threat" or "not trying to be dominant" messages they are trying to convey, the more they will pee.

[YankeeBernie]

I've considered the feedback and very much appreciate it all.

Interestingly enough, since that one and only time I have not had a problem with Bernie dragging his place mat or his wee-wee pad. I have a feeling that it worked and that his pee was indeed an "I'm sorry."

In any case, he has since learned to swing open/close the crate door (when the spring lock is not locked of course). So, he's getting used to the crate being around and a place where he goes in and out of. If I ever use it again, it will be seen much less as punishment than a brief 'removal of reward'. I have also ordered sturdier bowls.

Thanks
-Jeff

[Jeri Cunningham]

I agree with everyone that a crate is a haven not a place to punish a dog. As for peeing where they shouldn't I never react at all other than wipe it up with a paper towel and place the towel on the pad. It worked eveytime to train that outside or the pad is the place to go.