Q:
We got a new puppy about a week ago and are finding it hard to get
him to quit whining and barking while we have him in a cage. We live
in an apartment building so we can't have him outside all the time.
We will be moving soon, but what can we do in the meantime?
A:
Most puppies between 8 and 10 weeks old settle
down and stop whining in approximately 20 minutes time. If you
ignore the whining and barking, the puppy should soon adapt, get
used to her new surroundings, and stop this behavior. You can make
the kennel more appealing to your puppy by feeding her in the kennel
and leaving treats when she isn't looking so she learns it's a great
place to be.
Puppies that are under five months old shouldn't be left in kennels
for more than three or four hours during the day as they have to
eliminate up to eight times a day. Most puppies can “hold it” up to
eight hours through the night at this age if they have been properly
conditioned. If your puppy is three months of age or older, and is
being introduced to a kennel for the first time, I would integrate
the same suggestions above until she looks at the kennel as a great
place to be, but do not confine the puppy in the kennel until that
happens. You can use baby gates or put an exercise pen around the
kennel instead and leave the kennel door open.
You can give your puppy lots of exercise before you leave the house
or before bedtime to tire her out and she will have less energy to
complain. There are several products on the market that can help
relax a puppy including Dog Appeasing Pheremones (DAP) which works
on many, but not all, dogs. There is a machine that imitates a
beating heart which sometimes will help a dog relax, also a ticking
clock occasionally works. Playing soft music while you're away also
can be effective.
The
Dog Whisperer DVD will show you how to teach her
to "go to her bed" (or kennel), which will also be a positive
experience. It's important that you never use the kennel as
punishment and never use negative training such as pounding on the
cage to scare her if she's whining.
I'd suggest hiring a professional trainer who only uses positive
methods to help you. You might also tell your neighbors that you're
working on the problem and that it will soon be better.
For more specific tips, see our
Puppy Sections | |
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