Puppy crate training around adult basenjis

[Nemo]

I've been trying to get Zoni more comfortable with her crate in the bedroom and particularly the x-pen/crate setup that I have set up in the kitchen/living area that she stays in during the day when we're gone. When we're home, I've been leaving the door open so she can go in freely, put her in the crate if she falls asleep, and I have been doing some training with treats when she is in the x-pen so hopefully she will be more okay with being in it when I'm home if necessary. The hitch now is that Nemo has now discovered the crate and has decided to make it one of his new sleeping locations. In absence of the puppy this would be great as he has never liked crates before so I'm sure it has to do with the puppy. So I placed her crate from the bedroom in the living room as well, but now he is going back and forth between them and if she is in one of them, he seems to be kicking her out. He won't let her near the crate once he is in it which is consistent with what he has been doing with his other sleeping spots. This is probably not unexpected but do I just kick him out of the crate once he gets in so she can have better access? Otherwise, I'm not sure if she is going to be comfortable in the crate, which would be a problem since she is going to be traveling in it when we start showing.

Thanks,
Clay

[sharronhurlbut]

So you crate her when your at work, and when you sleep. IMO, that is too much crate time.
Unless I have read your post wrong.

[tanza]

Does Nemo have a crate?… maybe now you need more then one... so that if he decides to be in one... there is another that she can get into?

[Nemo]

She is in the x-pen during the day with a crate and litter box inside. One of us or a pet sitter comes during the middle of the day to check on her. She sleeps in another crate in the bedroom for the first few hours and I let her sleep in the bed after I take her out to go potty in the middle of the night. She'll move to the bed full time once she is house-trained.

[tanza]

So, if I hear you …. Nemo doesn't have a crate?.... I think that you need to get him a crate.. regardless if he is really crate trained... then is he goes to sleep in "a" crate... there is another for her.... just so that you have a place for her to go when Nemo decides that "this is my place"...

And this is NOT a turn of events.... Nemo still needs to know from you that he is "top" dog... for now....

[Nemo]

@tanza:

Does Nemo have a crate?… maybe now you need more then one... so that if he decides to be in one... there is another that she can get into?

That's why I brought her second crate out of the bedroom hoping he'd stick to one and let her have the other, but he roams between the two particulary if she is in the other. He had a habit of kicking my beagle out of his sleeping spots too. Nemo has a kennel in the basement that he stays in when we're not home. Otherwise he normally just sleeps somewhere in the house on a people bed, couch or dog bed. I have a third wire crate but that seems a little crazy to have three in there.

[tanza]

Well, seems that "he" Nemo is not following the "normal" thinking… remember this pup has come into his home and "taken" over his space.... so you have some adjusting to do... you need to just step back... and make sure that he is secure.. and it takes time... and you need to make exceptions to what would be the normal... try different things.. and remember as each day passes... Nemo will understand this girl is "not" leaving....ggg

Not the best answer to your questions... but we have all been there... done that.... it is like a game of chance

[lvoss]

If she is sleeping in the crate, shut the door. You don't necesarily have to lock it that way she can open it and leave but he might be deterred from pestering her.

[Nemo]

@tanza:

Well, seems that "he" Nemo is not following the "normal" thinking… remember this pup has come into his home and "taken" over his space.... so you have some adjusting to do... you need to just step back... and make sure that he is secure.. and it takes time... and you need to make exceptions to what would be the normal... try different things.. and remember as each day passes... Nemo will understand this girl is "not" leaving....ggg

Not the best answer to your questions... but we have all been there... done that.... it is like a game of chance

Thanks, Tanza. I think I probably knew the answer should be…"stay out of it". I'm sure it's usually the owner who needs the "behavioral adjustment" and not the dogs 9 times out of 10. :rolleyes: I'm pretty good now at not interfering with them than when I first got her, particularly if Zoni is pestering Nemo. I just need to remind myself not to interfere when he is pestering her.

@lvoss:

If she is sleeping in the crate, shut the door. You don't necesarily have to lock it that way she can open it and leave but he might be deterred from pestering her.

Thanks. I'll give it a try, that might help.