my night owl!!

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by R_Z

While I agree everyone is entitled to their opinion on how to raise their own dog, it should be in the spirit of this site to make recommendations on how one could and not should.

Our Yorkie sleeps in his bed in the kitchen doors closed. At the end of the day when it's time for bed, he volunteers to head to his bed and get comfy. We come in, during the winter tuck him in with a blanket, say good night and close the door. He has never whined, nor complained. We feel it's his safehaven and is more room than a crate.

While we personally do not believe in crating a dog, regardless of them being a pack animal or an animal cracker, what others choose to do is their business. So long as the dog is well cared for, happy and healthy, that's all that matters.

Some people believe in crating and some don't. As far as I can tell it is about half and half on this site. I agree that people do choose how to treat their animals. I have had dogs for over 50 years and never carted one. They have all been happy well adjusted pets that seem to find their own space when they want to. (Usually it is right next to me.)

[pinky71]

Thank you for all the replies..what i have found on this site is that without a lot of information some are so quick to judge others, ...anyway just wanted to put that out there.... let me clarify my situation, my little guy has free roam of kitchen only..my bedroom is next to kitchen ..I did stop using baby gate because i do want him to have some freedom in our home and I do enjoy him visiting me.. ..i swear he is like a watchdog..he has a very comfy bed in kitchen and beside my bed ..I usually let him decide where he wants to rest for the night..I did try to crate him when i first brought him home but he hated it so much that I gave up on it..As far as for the theory that an owner needs to be "pack leader" and dominate is not necessarily true according to my dog trainer who comes to my house.. its just that each dog is different and what may work for one dog, may not work for another. They definitely have their own personalities. I believe that it should be about positive reinforcement training.I believe that my doggie is very protective over me and him visiting me throughout the night is his way of making sure that im ok...

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by Verbena

You don't know me. I had two hrs sleep. Be nice

Yes. He is cute. He is trying to tell her that he does not want to be alone. First of all you need to tire them out before bed. Also give them a designated area for sleeping weather in is in your room. Crate training or in an ex pen.

Sorry for your sleep deprivation. I am nice. I also agree here now with this most helpful advice.

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by pinky71

Thank you for all the replies..what i have found on this site is that without a lot of information some are so quick to judge others, ...anyway just wanted to put that out there.... let me clarify my situation, my little guy has free roam of kitchen only..my bedroom is next to kitchen ..I did stop using baby gate because i do want him to have some freedom in our home and I do enjoy him visiting me.. ..i swear he is like a watchdog..he has a very comfy bed in kitchen and beside my bed ..I usually let him decide where he wants to rest for the night..I did try to crate him when i first brought him home but he hated it so much that I gave up on it..As far as for the theory that an owner needs to be "pack leader" and dominate is not necessarily true according to my dog trainer who comes to my house.. its just that each dog is different and what may work for one dog, may not work for another. They definitely have their own personalities. I believe that it should be about positive reinforcement training.I believe that my doggie is very protective over me and him visiting me throughout the night is his way of making sure that im ok...

I hear you and apologize for coming across as judgmental. It's hard to sometimes get your point across without sounding so hard and pushy, so sorry. I really understand now better your home situation. I don't free train when my dogs are young. I, personally can't imagine that...After a certain maturity (and each dog/breed is different) I allow them freedom in the house (as freedom inside and outside is the ultimate reward and why would I reward "trust" if he's/she's still soiling). I positive reinforce my dogs always. The way I train is typical for those that like to crate train their dogs. No different. I have a busy lifestyle and I travel a lot so I need my dogs to behave so I don't get turned away at any hotel or anywhere else for that matter. Crate training provides this for me as they LOVE their crates. It's true that your dog sounds protective...I'm noticing that in my little boy as well. Who "woulda thunk" that a little tiny yorkie can act like a big honking rottweiler and guard their family...lol!

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by pinky71

Thank you for all the replies..what i have found on this site is that without a lot of information some are so quick to judge others, ...anyway just wanted to put that out there.... let me clarify my situation, my little guy has free roam of kitchen only..my bedroom is next to kitchen ..I did stop using baby gate because i do want him to have some freedom in our home and I do enjoy him visiting me.. ..i swear he is like a watchdog..he has a very comfy bed in kitchen and beside my bed ..I usually let him decide where he wants to rest for the night..I did try to crate him when i first brought him home but he hated it so much that I gave up on it..As far as for the theory that an owner needs to be "pack leader" and dominate is not necessarily true according to my dog trainer who comes to my house.. its just that each dog is different and what may work for one dog, may not work for another. They definitely have their own personalities. I believe that it should be about positive reinforcement training.I believe that my doggie is very protective over me and him visiting me throughout the night is his way of making sure that im ok...

I agree that not all dogs respond the same and there is a lot of controversy concerning the domination theory. Terriers are not like most dogs. Their genetic history is much different since they were bred for killing and being aggressive but are truly loving and loyal pets to their humans. I'm sure your little guy is doing fine. I'm glad my Gracie is usually alert enough to notice if something is going on inside and outside the home at night!

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Some people believe in crating and some don't. As far as I can tell it is about half and half on this site. I agree that people do choose how to treat their animals. I have had dogs for over 50 years and never carted one. They have all been happy well adjusted pets that seem to find their own space when they want to. (Usually it is right next to me.)

I'm learning about the whole crating thing here... I do notice it's about half and half too. I guess I'd better be more open minded to those that do not crate... I guess I have a ton of potty training questions for pups when they're not crate trained as well. I have no doubt that this site will broaden my views and teach me A TON of new things!

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by gontygirl

I'm learning about the whole crating thing here... I do notice it's about half and half too. I guess I'd better be more open minded to those that do not crate... I guess I have a ton of potty training questions for pups when they're not crate trained as well. I have no doubt that this site will broaden my views and teach me A TON of new things!

When I was growing up my parents did not own a crate so we had to find other methods of potty training. When we were not home the pup was usually confined to one part of the kitchen with papers. When we were home someone was always assigned to the pup to make sure it was taken out regularly. Over the years I have found that spending time with the pup as much as possible speeds up the training process. Getting a puppy at 12 to 14 weeks old instead of at the infant stage also helps speed the process. Some people tether the pup to them so that with constant vigilance the pup learns what is acceptable and is gotten to the potty in time. There are many ways of potty training. When I had my own home we used a small room off the kitchen to confine the pups when we were not at home. Many people use an x-pen for confinement. Of course we have to confine at times but confining in room or an x-pen teaches nothing. It is the constant teaching process that works.
I understand the crate training method but have never found it necessary. I did try it once while living in an apartment and it just was not doable with neighbors complaining about a crying puppy.
I realize you don't agree with puppy pads and that is fine but many of us have found them a convenience more for ourselves than for the dogs, I think. With little dogs a person can have some conveniences. I started using them due to a back injury that made it very difficult to get around when Gracie was a pup. Now that she is an adult I have them for bad weather and when I am away. We all have such different lifestyles that we have to work with what we have.
Gracie has free run in the house and never has accidents. She was really the easiest puppy I have ever trained as far as potty training goes.

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by R_Z

While I agree everyone is entitled to their opinion on how to raise their own dog, it should be in the spirit of this site to make recommendations on how one could and not should.

Our Yorkie sleeps in his bed in the kitchen doors closed. At the end of the day when it's time for bed, he volunteers to head to his bed and get comfy. We come in, during the winter tuck him in with a blanket, say good night and close the door. He has never whined, nor complained. We feel it's his safehaven and is more room than a crate.

While we personally do not believe in crating a dog, regardless of them being a pack animal or an animal cracker, what others choose to do is their business. So long as the dog is well cared for, happy and healthy, that's all that matters.

I agree...it is up to each individual to decide whether they want their dog crate trained or not. I'm only offering my crate training advice and reasonings...if it's something someone wants to adopt then I hope I can be of some service in making it easy for them to do. I'm learning that a lot of people do not crate train and that's ok too... I have a ton to learn in that respect and look forward to acquiring the potty training success stories without a crate in play. I'm on the side of the fence of people who do crate train. One way is not better than the other... I'm merely speaking to what I do. Just because my opinion is directed toward a certain way of training doesn't mean that I disapprove of your successful way, however if a person has a problem with their dogs behavior I can only offer my success story to help solve their issue. They can always decide to turn to your ways if they are like minded.

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by R_Z

While I agree everyone is entitled to their opinion on how to raise their own dog, it should be in the spirit of this site to make recommendations on how one could and not should.

Our Yorkie sleeps in his bed in the kitchen doors closed. At the end of the day when it's time for bed, he volunteers to head to his bed and get comfy. We come in, during the winter tuck him in with a blanket, say good night and close the door. He has never whined, nor complained. We feel it's his safehaven and is more room than a crate.

While we personally do not believe in crating a dog, regardless of them being a pack animal or an animal cracker, what others choose to do is their business. So long as the dog is well cared for, happy and healthy, that's all that matters.

Originally Posted by gracielove

When I was growing up my parents did not own a crate so we had to find other methods of potty training. When we were not home the pup was usually confined to one part of the kitchen with papers. When we were home someone was always assigned to the pup to make sure it was taken out regularly. Over the years I have found that spending time with the pup as much as possible speeds up the training process. Getting a puppy at 12 to 14 weeks old instead of at the infant stage also helps speed the process. Some people tether the pup to them so that with constant vigilance the pup learns what is acceptable and is gotten to the potty in time. There are many ways of potty training. When I had my own home we used a small room off the kitchen to confine the pups when we were not at home. Many people use an x-pen for confinement. Of course we have to confine at times but confining in room or an x-pen teaches nothing. It is the constant teaching process that works.
I understand the crate training method but have never found it necessary. I did try it once while living in an apartment and it just was not doable with neighbors complaining about a crying puppy.
I realize you don't agree with puppy pads and that is fine but many of us have found them a convenience more for ourselves than for the dogs, I think. With little dogs a person can have some conveniences. I started using them due to a back injury that made it very difficult to get around when Gracie was a pup. Now that she is an adult I have them for bad weather and when I am away. We all have such different lifestyles that we have to work with what we have.
Gracie has free run in the house and never has accidents. She was really the easiest puppy I have ever trained as far as potty training goes.

When I grew up there were no crates as well and my parents adopted a 5 year old dog that consequently was put down because she soiled up the house all the time. My parents had no skills in teaching potty training, nor did I as I was a child. I was devastated when they did that! We'd always raised a puppy, never an adult dog and my mother always paper trained the dog in the kitchen. WHAT A MESS and the HOWLING at night cus all the puppy wanted was to be with us...cuddling in our bed. I learned as a young adult when I got my first puppy (pomeranian) that crate training was the answer. It doesn't help with an underdeveloped bladder, such as a pup under 6 months...but after that age it's a ton easier (FOR ME...) to potty train.

Let me just say that I don't agree with pee pads UNLESS one has no choice because of back problems, illness, etc. I don't agree with them in a GENERAL sense. There are always isolated reasons as to why I do agree with them, but not in the sense that one uses the pee pad cus they're too lazy or tired..or it's cold outside, etc. My dogs eliminate quicker in the cold...in the snow, rain, storm. My home is like a "den" and soiling inside is out of the question. That's what goes on here in my home.

I agree that there are a ton of different way to train all kinds of things to a dog but when I'm giving a response to a question I am only speak of what I do that is tried and true...and works. I don't agree with many training techniques UNLESS they work. I do plan to voice that opinion. I'm going to try to be more soft spoken, but in keeping with my beliefs and opinions.

It's awesome how you are able to list all the ways to train a dog...I agree with all of them. I see myself offering some of those ways as advice as well...(if I happen to fall upon a question that needs that kind of answer). I don't answer a lot of questions here as it is... The ones I have answered seem to be crate related probably because I'm in the midst of crate train now myself. I'm just a woman with answers to training questions, not an expert. I try my best...clearly I come off a bit judgemental and for that I apologize. I'm busy crate training this 1 year old yorkie that had NO TRAINING AT ALL in his lifetime and he's a wild little thing. His crate has offered him solace and structure. He's been with us for 2 weeks and he's happy happy happy . What more can I speak of if not to offer the info I have that is making a little tiny dog so happy...and successfully so. I'm just offering my verson of progress and victory... He's becoming an absolute little gentleman.

[Marhcarter]

Originally Posted by gontygirl

I agree with crates... It's a nice peaceful space where they know to go that is just for them.

Teehee...Huey's crate is just for him, alright...if he is in it, he is either trying to hide something he isnt supposed to have (candy wrapper, paper towel, something retrieved from the trash), or he is puky-sick. He thinks he is being sneaky, but the dead giveaway is that he is actually IN the crate, not lounging on top of it...

[celstu1]

Maybe he just wants to sleep with you. My boys sleep under the covers at my feet most if not every night for over 7 years now. Although its not ideal, its the ONLY way I get to sleep through the night. If they are not there when I go to sleep they will eventually get there when I am asleep, waking me up by pawing at the sheets and me until I let them under. Maybe you just need to let him sleep with you at night. He sounds like an adorable little stinker! hehe

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by Marhcarter

Teehee...Huey's crate is just for him, alright...if he is in it, he is either trying to hide something he isnt supposed to have (candy wrapper, paper towel, something retrieved from the trash), or he is puky-sick. He thinks he is being sneaky, but the dead giveaway is that he is actually IN the crate, not lounging on top of it...

LOL that's adorable!!

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by gontygirl

Really...? bad behavior is cute? (You have so much more to contibute here for her...)

Again be nice!

[gontygirl]

Originally Posted by Verbena

Again be nice!

Again...I am nice