I need help with Casey - UPDATE below

We are really having a hard time with her concerning hyper-activity and nipping. Our trainer came over this weekend and thinks it's a lot due to the fact that she is in the crate so much. My DH and I both work full time, he in NJ and me in the city. Plus he works a 2nd job a few days a week. So I get home at 7 and he gets home between 4 and 9 depending on the day. She is in the from 7:30am til one of us gets home. Plus she sleeps in there at night. We want to do what's best for all of us. She is a chewer - but she has been a lot better lately. Just have to make sure stuff is not left laying around.

I have a few options. I can start leaving her out during the day - and Casey proof where she stays (kitchen and TV room - the dining room, living room and stairs are gated off). My DH says one day we just have to try!

Or I can crate her and he can let her out at lunch time - and let her stay out until I get home (baby steps).

I am also looking into "doggie day care" a few days a week - where she can play all day with other dogs and we can pick her up in the evening.

At this point we need to do something bc it is just not working for any of us. We love her so much but I feel like I am failing her.

What age did you start leaving your dogs out?

Message edited 11/14/2005 10:38:35 AM.

Re: I need help with Casey

Option #1: what about someone coming to let her out at lunch...a pet sitter of sorts, but they don't stay. They let her out, play a bit, etc.

Option #2: doggie day care....I've never tried it.

Option #3: Bailey (the Rottie) was crated till she was 2 1/2 but not for as long as Casey. FIL is retired and he'd let her out when he came home for lunch, played with her outside, then put her back for when we got home. We did not start leaving her out of the crate during the day till we were in the apt. here in GA and that was for short periods of time. We gradually pushed it to all the time. She also began sleeping with us after we moved to GA because there was no room for her crate in the room where we were staying at SIL house and that ended that. She did still get excited when we got home (STILL does) but she pretty much sleeps all day while we are gone. Boomer, is still in his crate when we are not home and that might not ever change. I don't trust him.

I think giving her more "room" like gating off a room or two might work, but what if she knocks it down or jumps it? What about not making her sleep there? Can she have her own doggie bed in your room?

Re: I need help with Casey

Can you leave something for Casey in the crate for her to chew on? There's only a couple of things that I'll leave in Bama's crate - we have a couple of chew toys that are really hard and safe to leave with him. No pieces can break off. Maybe that would ease some of Casey's anxiety, or whatever you want to call it....

Re: I need help with Casey

Oh she has chew toys. She just doesn't want to be in there - she is in there for a good portion out of the day. I'd say anywhere between 12-18 hrs a day .

Re: I need help with Casey

That is so rough Jen!! I would look to find someone that could come play with her at lunch--maybe a vet tech student or someone from your vet's office? Maybe a college kid?

Dogs need play time and I know you feel guilty about leaving her in there.

IF you try to leave her out for short stints of time in one room.....do it on the weekends first when you're just running to go get gas or groceries...for like an hr or so. Let her see that you'll be back soon (I tell my dogs this every morning...."Bye doggies, Mommy will be home soon. Be good" I know-I'm sick)

Re: I need help with Casey

I would leave her out in one room of the house.... get things out of the way and let her roam. I work from home and guess what my dog does all day? Yup, he sleeps. And that is probably what Casey will do, but she will not be as psyched to be out when you get home. I would try this.....

Re: I need help with Casey

I would leave her in the kitchen to start off with- start small.. put her crate in the kitchen but leave the door open- that way she can go back & sleep in it- but she has more room...
then after a week or two- gradually expand her universe.....
you can't crate her- and doggie day care is VERY expensive.
As long as you chew proof the house- it should be OK.

Re: I need help with Casey

I agree with babygating off the kitchen. Just fyi- they make really high babygates- we got the regular size ones and Tally jumped over it!

It was funny to come home and find Tally waiting for me at the door and poor Casey (who we only put in the kitchen with Tally to keep her company) looking really sad and forlorn from behind the babygate!

Today is the first day we are giving Tally free reign of the house- she learned how to use the doggie door very quick so we'll see!

But if your Casey might be a jumper try the extra big babygates- I think they might be cheaper at BRU then PETCO.

Re: I need help with Casey

We had a big problem too w/ Reesie being hyperactive when we got home from work. Once we started walking her a half hour every day, she really calmed down. Is she nipping at you guys or other stuff? If she is biting you guys, spray her in the mouth w/ bitter apple when she does it. She'll get the hint real quick.

Re: I need help with Casey

I would try the baby gates, one room @ a time or a pet sitter.

Re: I need help with Casey

Look into doggie day care.

Re: I need help with Casey

Dogs should not be crated for longer than 4-8 hours MAX.

I would DEF consider just blocking off an area for her. I bet you will see a big difference in her behaviour.

Otherwise, you should look into a dog walker. She really needs to be out of the crate. I am sure she would be a much happier pup if she got to run around and such. Even if they just take her out for a little bit.
She needs the interaction and such.

I know it isnt free, but i would look into it if you are too nervous to let her out by herself.

Let us know what happens.

Re: I need help with Casey

Message edited 1/30/2009 11:12:17 AM.

Re: I need help with Casey

Hey Jen, have things improved? WHat did you decide to do??

Re: I need help with Casey

Oh wow, thats a long time for her to be in the crate- especially if the crate is just big enough for her, ( no room to stretch, as I know some have crates a size smaller so they dont make accidents) DEF leave her in an open room and Casey proof it. Poor thing she prob goes nuts and doesnt know what to do with herself when she comes out,

Re: I need help with Casey

Baby gate an area. That is what we are doing with Simba. We are baby gating the kitchen and laundry room. Leave his dog toys, food and water in their with him. The rooms have tile floors so if he does have an accident it's on the tile and not on the carpet.

Re: I need help with Casey

Message edited 11/14/2005 10:38:24 AM.

Re: I need help with Casey - UPDATE below

Jen- that's great news!

Casey's a big girl now!!

Re: I need help with Casey - UPDATE below

Jen, you can go to an electronics or hardware store, they make these rubber tubes that you can slit open and put around your wires. YOu tape them shut. That should help a little.

Re: I need help with Casey - UPDATE below

That's great!!!! So glad it's working out for you! Boomer had chewed our XM wire once and then a cable to our printer and gave himself a nice little shock! No more wires after that.

She probably chewed the wires because A) you were sleeping where you shouldn't be (and maybe in HER new spot) B) she wanted some attention!

glad to hear it's going well....it will take time for her to get used to the long stretch of alone time though.

Re: I need help with Casey - UPDATE below

so did you leave her out of the crate today?