to crate, or not to crate, that is the question - Page 5

I'm sure we will.

LMH QUOTE "I've come to realize that there's a word that schutzhund enthusiasts seem to shy away from when training pups and young dogs. That word is *NO*. If one is never willing to say NO. then..yes..you will have a destructive pup, who will never learn much about proper behavior in the home. I see certain enthusiasts would rather the pup stay in a crate," ************************************************** I can see you do not understand our training methods. It is true we don't tell our puppies and young dogs *NO*. Instead we do it the hard way by showing them the correct way or quickly replacing our arms for a tug or toy in order to save ourselves from tiny sharp teeth. We try to stay "on top" of our potty training by being right there with puppy when they wake up or finish eating and take them outside and as soon as they "finish".. it is a big deal and we take them right back into the house.. this way they know what they went outside for. Later on they can go back outside to play... We spend a lot of time with our Schutzhund puppies.. WE teach thru motivation rather than yelling *NO* all the time. True they are crated but sometimes it is only for short periods so they can learn "good things happen" when they come out of the crate.. like play and teaching beginning obedience.. sitz and platz with peanut butter or yogart works very well. After some happy play time and fun training I put my puppy back into the crate and he rests very well... and expects more good things to happen the next time when he comes out. You are so very wrong in thinking we lock up our dogs in crates to intimadate them..."what a joke"... lol My older dogs love the crates too. We rotate them in and out of the crates for yard time and house time with us. When they have enough house time they will just go back inside their crate and go to sleep and the next one comes out.... We probably spend more one on one time with our Schutzhund dogs than other people spend with their every day dogs who lay around on the couch being bored to death every single moment of every single day of their lives.... waiting to go on that block long walk that might take place once a month (if they are lucky)... There are so many invisible dogs owned by people who do not own a crate at all... These are the dogs I feel sorry for and at the same time look around my house at all my crates .. knowing ALL my Schutzhund dogs get special attention several times a day... every day.

I ditto Jax ...I guess all my well behaved crated schutzhund dogs that have spent their lives in crates both wire , ex-large and x-large carriers, are all a victum of a lazy breeder who happens to know that putting them in the crate for training on the field is to let them think about what they just did, like in a class at high school, u go to lab, then go back to homeroom and discuss the project....u put the dog in crate to watch the other dogs work and they sense the criterior to do the same....its not to frenzy the dog, and if u have that kind of dog, ur in the wrong sport anyway....yes they sometimes bark and get intense...I do to, when I drive in the 4:00 traffic in Dallas and Houston and cant wait to get out of it and reach my final destination....home and a "bite" to eat....Defensive driving courses teach...any object in a vehicle not seatbelted or crated is a death wish....

LMH Most of your posts I read here are way out of this world. I wonder if you've been smoking a little too much weed lately? -A

Jax-- "yelling *NO* all the time". Ha, ha.........hardly. As to playing musical chairs (sorry, mean dogs), somehow I believe my dogs would prefer 100% house, non-crated, motivational time with little-ole moi). Wish they could speak for themselves, but then again my couch-potatoes would probably be too tired from their morning run in the fields. Well, I'd continue, but I do have to do some work to complete right now. But it better be finished by the time they recuperate for their afternoon 1 1/2 romp again. Silly-ole me not sticking to your version of a pet owner's take on exercise. What was it again? Oh yes---a monthly, block long walk (if lucky). Apparently, I hit a nerve. My posts are based on the info that I read here concerning schutzhund. You respect these training methods. They're not for me---and I'm probably not too far off in my interpretation of how SOME, perhaps NOT ALL use the crate. MY CHOICE not to use crates. Just another point of view. ....................................................... Arrakis-- Only read one of your posts. Enlightening.

Well, LMH it does not seem right to lump you into all those peeps that *DO* have those "invisible dogs" but you have to admit they are out there.. poor things. I am happy to learn you are a responsible dog owner with happy dogs living in your house. Please try to understand a few points of our sport. For the Schutzhund dog we do NOT want them to "pack" which is what they would do if left to their own venue. Each Schutzhund dog needs to feel "they" are number one. In any environment.. home or field. Crating has many benefits for our dogs.. let's leave it at that.

Jax, your just frustrating yourself. Those that don't really understand the working GSD will never really treat it properly.

Jax--- Drinking my morning tea here, and was waiting to see if you'd respond before I finished. Thank you for acknowledging that I do right by my dogs. I agree completely about each dog feeling that they are #1. No pack orientation here--sometimes wish there was. Each want my attention, not each other's. I have always waited at least three years before bringing another dog into my home. Activity levels differ, and different strategies always have to be put in place to compensate. Seems to work for them and me, but I'm honest enough to admit it can get tiring. At the present, I've begun taking my youngest male to the field for an individualized hour each afternoon. His energy level and need to work demands more time from me. If my dogs were closer in age, it probably wouldn't work---there would be too much jealousy. Not sure about that observation. I will say, though, I work very hard to make each feel special.