KAT1

Hi Sandra Yes, you are right! I can't let him dictate where he wants to be when I am at home. Boundaries, I realise now, are important. Thanks for your advice! KAT

Hi everyone. Thanks for your replies. I do have the XL crate partitioned, with a piece of wood which has a hole in each corner which I attach to the inside of the crate using cable ties. However my 12 week old puppy is HUGE! He already fills almost half the crate! :p and i am thinking that when he is fully grown I may need an XXL crate!! :p I have attached a photo so you can see him and no, it isn't that I am feeding him too much, his father was a very big dog and when the litter was born they were already the size of 1 week old puppies!!! I also have tried stuffed kongs and he has a pigs ear, but he isn't really food motivated unless he is really REALLY hungry. Initially it works to entice him into the crate (I close the door with them in and him out and make him beg to be let in) but then he just freaks when I lock the crate door on him. HOWEVER, tonight I really exhausted him with play and training and walking on the lead,and I didn't let him fall asleep in the early evening. He was looking fairly sleepy so I gave him a belly rub and he just fell into a deep sleep. I put him in his crate and have not heard a peep out of him. I have to get to bed now so I can get the same amount of sleep!

Unfortunately his crate is far to big to fit into my bedroom (he is a golden retriever and has an XL crate). I have tried sleeping on the couch in the loungeroom, where his crate is situated, but it doesn't work. Last night he only howled for 1 hour. That is a big improvement from 2 hours. This time I took him out for a toilet break at the halfway mark, when he had the "I need to go to the toilet" whine, and he did his business immediately, and then I took him back inside and put him in his crate, and he howled another 20 minutes and then gave up and went to sleep. I didn't go in to check during this time since I was afraid that it would make matters worse. It seems to have worked. Hopefully tonight will be even shorter!

Hi Sandra, He is outside because I am at work during the day and I would prefer him to be outside checking out the sounds and sights of the backyard than locked up in a tiny laundry all day. He is with us when we are at home, inside and outside, wherever I am he goes with me. I don't leave him outside when we are at home. I don't want him to stay outside, just the howling is so great at night that I thought he wanted to be outside. I would much rather have him inside with me when I am at home. Should I be leaving him inside all day when I am at work? How would I go about toilet training him then? Should I use newspaper? I think he would hate to be locked indoors all day. Based on some of the other posts to this forum it seems that people think that it is better for the puppies to be outdoors, as long as it is safe for them. poodlefan, the crate is covered with a crate cover, so it is dark. He has his toys and blanket in there, and I give him a treat ball and a pigs ear to chew on during the night if he needs it. I am planning on really tiring him out before sleep tonight. Puppy preschool was, IMO quite sedate. The puppies didn't play very much, since they were still a bit shy, it being the first night. I am assuming that it was just the new experience that tired him out. We were also shown the tummy rub, and that REALLY helpe. It was like he was drunk and couldn't keep his eyes open. I did try using that too, last night, but it didn't work. I think he wasn't tired enough. Thanks again for all your advice. Will try and tire him mentally and physically and then ignore crying that isn't associated with having to do his business outside. KAT

Hi aquaticmalamute. Thank you! I figured he was testing me , but the noise is just so terrible that I was at my wits end. You are right, he is a very smart cookie! I have been going in only when he quiets down for even a short few seconds and if he starts even the smallest littlest whine I do exactly what you said and turn heel. But when he is banging around in the crate and literally screaming down the place, I kept thinking that he might do some damage to himself. Last night once he had calmed down slightly after about 20 minutes of doggy screaming (him not me) I went in and opened the crate, I didn't let him out, but forced him to lie on his side, and I stroked him and told him to go to sleep. He eventually went to sleep after about 5 minutes and held on all night till I woke up this morning to take him out. When he is really acting out that loudly and violently, should I go in to check on him? Or should I just leave him and put in some earplugs? Tonight I will try and tire him out before sleep time. Also, congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

Hi Everyone, I have read much about crate training and wanted to try it with my puppy (golden retriever), but I am on the verge of giving up. He arrived 14 days ago and is now 11.5 weeks old. On the first few nights at home he loved his crate and slept well in it. However after a few days he started barking crying jumping up and scraping against the bars at night. We went to puppy preschool on Monday night and that evening he went into his crate and slept like an angel. Then last night he stayed in his crate for 7 hours without having to go out to the toilet. Now he is in his crate and howling and crying. I have taken him out to toilet and I know he has done both, but he just won't settle. I go in every 10 minutes to reassure him but then he just starts crying again. It sounds terrible. During the day he is mostly outside and I am wondering if he wants to be outside to sleep. when I am at home I try to have him inside with me, but sometimes he just doesn't want to come inside. I thought that it would be best to house train him using the crate and I wanted to have him sleeping inside. If someone could give me advice about what I am doing wrong I would greatly appreciate it. KAT1

I would love to see a photo of sam!!

Hi everyone, My puppy, Darcy, has finally arrived home! Hooray! Here is a picture of him at home among the grass. It is his second day at home and he has settled in so well. Thanks again to all of you DOL'ers for your wonderful advice. KAT1

Thanks Kelpie-i. I will consider this as well. Regards kat

Thanks Cosmolo. I will pop in for a visit at some stage.

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good puppy kinder/socialisation class near Newport or Port Melbourne? Somewhere I can take my 9 week old puppy to learn to socialise with other pups and some very basic obedience (mostly to teach me). Thanks! kat

Hi jamesanddean, Thank you for your words of encouragement. I was considering putting him in my room, but may not as I would probably have the same problem. Thats so cute! Oooh, good point about the toys. I will try not to buy too much to begin with. Do you still keep him indoors when you aren't at home? Thanks again for your advice. kat

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will take everything on board and try and implement when he arrives! I think i will buy an adult sized crate and block it off to puppy size. That way I will be able to use it as he grows up. and I like the idea of having a stuffed toy to keep him company at night. Someone also advised me that it is a good idea to buy two of the same toy so that if he gets attached and the original is destroyed :D there is a backup... I am counting down the days. 4.5 weeks to go! sigh... KAT

Hi everyone, In about 6 weeks I am welcoming a golden retriever puppy (my first pet) into my home. I am very excited and am so looking forward to it but I have a few questions about what I need to buy for the puppy to make him feel at home. I have been reading through many books and the puppy posts, etc.. and have the following questions if you can help me out. Sorry if it is a bit long... 1. I would like to crate train him, and was wondering do I need to buy a puppy sized crate or do I need to buy an adult sized crate that he can grow into? If you have a golden retriever or similar sized dog, how many of you still use a crate at home for your adult dogs? Is it worthwhile purchasing a large one? I had envisaged that once he had reached a certain age and level of obedience he wouldn't need a crate anymore, but could use a kennel when he is outside and a special sleeping mat or beanbag or something for inside. 2. Which grooming brushes should I buy for a puppy, to get him used to being brushed? Is a puppy sized slicker brush and comb enough? Or do I need something more? 3. I have read various accounts about when to start socialising a puppy with other puppies and other dogs. Do I need to wait until his vaccinations are complete or can I start socialising him from 9-10 weeks? What has been your experience? 4. so far I have on my list the following: -puppy collar and puppy length lead -puppy sized kong, various chew toys and a soft fluffy type of toy that he can snuggle with at night. -crate and puppy pen -grooming brush and comb -dog bowls for food and water (and food) Is there any other essential items that I have missed for the initial welcome except for multitudes of cuddles? Thanks in advance! KAT