akitas Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 A friend of mine was offered a Border Collie puppy, the last of a farm litter and the farmer wanted to get rid of it. So she took it. She has another dog, but doesn't have much puppy experience, nor have I. This puppy is a bit scared of everything. She had the idea of leaving it in a crate when she needs to pop out to walk her other dog or do the shopping, but then the puppy cries and messes. She isn't sure if it is actually fear of being left or just a demanding behaviour. In the night it has to sleep in her room otherwise it cries all night. Now she is a bit desperate. We all need to go out at times and cannot always take the dogs. She is now cutting everything down to a minimum, but cannot really do that until such time. She is on her own and has nobody to pop in and look after the puppy long term. Any suggestion what she could do to get the pup crate trained and get it accept to be left for short periods. Thanks a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9Fran Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 This could be difficult - BC's can be so sensitive and need careful handling. The pup needs to learn in teeny weeny baby steps that it can only experience good things in a crate - so if there is any possibility of the pup getting worked up, don't leave it in a crate. The more experiences it has which are good, the better. In the mean time, can pup go with her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted July 6, 2007 Report Share Posted July 6, 2007 I'm not a "training" person and I haven't used a crate with a pup, only for a short time with an oldie, so just some thoughts ... as Fran has said, she needs to make it into a positive experience, so could she start feeding the pup in the crate, but with the door open so the dog is not shut in? Maybe she can spend a little time each day just putting the pup in with a toy and sit there right next to the crate, stroking the pup etc., but not locking the pup in or forcing him/her to stay in if they don't want to? Is she putting the pup in the crate when she's around at home, and leaving the door open so he/she can get out if they wish, or is she just shutting pup in the crate when she wants to pop out? Depending on how large/heavy the pup is, could she get one of those slings you can use to carry pups/small dogs around in (rather like a baby) and maybe take the pup out in that when she walks the other dog (assuming she's not taking pup yet because of vaccines/not being able to walk as far as the older dog?). Won't solve the crate training but would mean one less time to leave the dog at the moment and would maybe give her the chance to get some positive socialising experiences too? Maybe for the times she needs to go somewhere she really can't take pup, she could see if she has a responsible, dog friendly neighbour who would fancy dog sitting for an hour or two? I don't necessarily mean as a paid thing, lots of people would be happy to have puppy cuddles for a few hours It would also be worth her looking into flower remedies and/or homeopathy to help the pup's confidence. There's a Bioforce remedy for separation anxiety for example. Hopefully if she works gradually, she will create a more positive experience for the pup long term Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted July 12, 2007 Report Share Posted July 12, 2007 How old is the pup? If only weeks old she won't be able to leave it for long. It's a sensitive little soul on top who sounds like it doesn't like being left for a minute. If she wants to persevere with the crate she can try leaving it open with lovely things inside. Comfortable bedding, toys, treats to entice and see if pup goes in. Don't shut pup inside so it knows it can get out and feels secure can come and go as pleases. Don't leave the pup with toys, treats unsupervised mind you. Messing and crying sounds like a nervous dog worried that the lady isn't going to return. Has she tried leaving him in a room with her other dog? If so does the pup settle down better then as has company. I'm afraid if the pup is only weeks old she won't be able to go out for long periods. She could try popping out and returning quickly so pup doesn't have time to get upset and then is all happy straight away. Then make the little trips out a bit longer each time and see how that goes. Not making any fuss when she leaves the home as that can imprint that something isn't right. I slept downstairs with my pup until he felt more secure at night. He never went upstairs as to be honest was too flaming accident prone so I didn't want him anywhere near the stairs. How long has she had the pup. If it's early days this is all normal behaviour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 How are they getting on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akitas Posted July 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Sorry, I haven't replied earlier. Thanks for all your help. I passed it all on. I haven't heard from my friend for a while. It looks like the puppy was not well. It started having seizures. She took him to the vets who couldn't really find anything and was guessing for something hederitary (Sp?) As the seizures got worse they decided to put the pup down. It stopped eating and was weak and lethargic. After contacting the person who sold the puppies it looks like another one came down with the same, but not as bad. Sorry, that's all the info I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacobean Posted July 20, 2007 Report Share Posted July 20, 2007 Oh no. I'm really sorry to hear that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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