crate training an older dog? let me just start off by saying i'm new. i don't know much about yorkies, but i'm trying to help my grandma train hers. i'm way more familiar with hounds and hound mixes. i know i've learned a lot from visiting forums related to my other pets (rats, turtles, fish, snails, etc.) and i'm hoping to gain some insight on training here! my grandma and her 5-year-old male yorkie live in a trailer park, where the noise of him barking incessantly when she leaves the house bothers the neighbors to the point where he could get her evicted. she absolutely loves this dog, and i must say he's pretty spoiled. he doesn't have a crate, which i think is part of the problem- he's patrolling the whole house while she's gone, and can't keep track of it all, and he gets anxiety when there are outside noises. that being said, i have an old crate that used to belong to my deceased and beloved beagle, which my grandma is going to take and repaint for her yorkie. he's about 20 lb, and the crate is a wire crate, 21"W X 27"H X 36"D. is this too big? it's pretty much our only option. are there modifications we should do? she's also concerned about his age, that he won't like it because he's too old to learn it. i doubt this is true, but i'd appreciate any ideas i could give her to try. she's retired, so she has all day to spend with him, training him. sorry if this is WAY too many questions at once! thanks! |
I rehomed a yorkie who was 5 and I crate trained her just like my other yorkie was, I didn't have any problems, It might not help with the barking though. |
okay, thanks... is there anything unusual about yorkies when it comes to crate training that i ought to know? |
Not that I can think of no, Good Luck |
Yes you sure can do that. Do you know the steps to do it?? JL |
i've read a couple articles, and they say to put his things in the crate (his blankets, toys, bowls) so he knows it's his, and let him explore on his own or, if he won't, encourage him to do so with treats. is that right? then when he's comfortable in there, close the door for short periods of time while you're home, until he's comfortable in there by himself for a while. did i miss anything? |
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I just add a few steps cause I like to take things slow. I'd sit by the crate and toss in treats if he needs let him eat come out. I'd toss in treats let him go in and close and open the door before he is done eating. I'd tos in the treats let him eat turn around to leave and have the door open. I';d toss in the treats and have him turn around and start to open the door. I'd toss in the treats and have him turn around and count say one and open the door. You keep building steps until you can sit and watch a whole Tv show and then keep building from there. step by step. Now this would be if he shows any signs of being concerned with being in the crate and how to bust it down into pieces he should be able to manage. You go up and down or stay at a step until he looks comfortable. I can start one puppy in an afternoon likeing a crate another it can take days or weeks. JL |
I have this CD - which is suppose to help calm. I would play this when he is left alone. Welcome to Dogwise.com |
One tip... tell her to not let him out when he is whining, crying, barking, etc. This will only make him think that if he barks, whines, or whatever, he'll get out and the barking problem definitely won't stop. |
thanks, everybody, you've been so helpful! the crate will be cleaned and re-painted and ready to use in a few days, and i'll let you know how it goes. we'll definitely be using your tips! thanks again! |
Also have you thought about getting one of those ultrasonic bark detector things? I think you can get one at PetSmart for like $30-$40. It makes a noise that they don't like when they bark and its supposed to stop them from doing it. I don't know if they work or not cause I've never used one, but it might be worth a try. |
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JL |
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