Day 1 In Her Crate

[Guest Mooogies]

It was 3 pm and I started to get worried. Another 3 hours before I would get home and see how she did in her crate for her first full day. I couldn't get in the house fast enough, put my parcels down, took off my coat and boots (as calmly as I could). I heard the tags on her collar start to tinkle and my first thought was "she's alive". I didn't say anything, even though I wanted so much to call her name, but I resisted. Walked by her crate, casually opened the gate and out she came. She gave one little bark and followed me into the kitchen and waited by her bowl.

 

Phewwwwwwwwf, 1 day down. I hope tomorrow goes as well.

[vjgrey]

Glad she did well, but I'd suggest taking her collar off before you crate her. The tags can get caught between the bars, choking your hound.

[Guest Mooogies]

THANK YOU!!! I'll take her collar off tomorrow

[Guest scfilby]

Glad she did well, but I'd suggest taking her collar off before you crate her. The tags can get caught between the bars, choking your hound.

 

[5blackgreys]

I'm so glad to here she did so well. It sounds like you're on the right track with her. I just want to pass this on to you because of what happened to a friend of mine. She had a foster who was recovering from a broken leg and while he was in the crate the tags got caught on the crate wire and he re-injured his leg. Ever since that happened I've never crated a dog with the collar on.

 

Good luck with your pup!!!

[Guest sorenkkg]

I think that first day away from home is soooo nerve-wracking! Good job on not checking during the day, and remaining calm like you did when you came home.

 

Are you always going to be crating? Or eventually transitioning to non-crate?

[Guest Mooogies]

I would love to eventually transition to non-crate. But while she is still settling in (this is her 3rd week with me), I think it's for her safety. It's a lot for her to get to know her boundaries and I don't want to overwhelm her with too much at first. Plus I really do believe that it's so much better for her to be crated for now so that when I do come home rather than being upset because she's eaten this or chewed that, I'm happy to see her, she's happy to see me. But the goal in the not so distant future is to not have her crated.

[Guest Sweetreba]

I have had my two for a year now and they are crated at night and when I am gone. I just feel better knowing they are safe and not getting into anything that may hurt them. I had an episode with the collar too but it was when my Petey went in his crate while I was home. They love their crates even when the doors are opened. The collar got caught and he panicked. Luckily I was sitting right next to it and saw him.