We are letting Kona sleep in the bedroom tonight, but in her crate. Later she’ll graduate to a dog bed. She will not be allowed to sleep on our bed ever. sorry, pup.
I hope that this is Kona, too. How do you make it more den-like for them? We put her toys and stuff in there with her and give her a treat when she walks in.
Well we put an old wool army blanket in there for comfort. We never really used toys or treats but Kacey (our springer spaniel) has brought her rope toy in from time to time. Gabby (our pomeranian) has always liked sleeping in a crate. Being a runt that is only half the size of an average pom I think it made her feel safe. When she was a pup she had a little one. It broke and she spent a few years sleeping with us but a couple of years ago when we got Kacey we also got a crate (for large breeds) and Gabby was so excited that she would go right in every night and Kacey just followed her in. They are both small enough to fit comfortably in there together. We did try not putting them in for a night or two but found that Kacey would not wake us if she needed to go out and would leave us a smelly gift by the back door so in they go every night. During the day if no one is home we put Kacey in there to keep her from tearing up the place but mostly she will nap under Jeremy’s desk and Gabby is usually under mine or in the crate. (We leave the crate door open during the day so they can go in and out when they want.)
Crates are good. My little dog loves her crate, especially when she is in trouble. She knows she best be in there cause we don’t like to look at her when we are mad…I think as long as it’s comfortable and clean, dogs end up liking that they have a “safe zone”.
We crate train too. To make it more like a den, we place the back end of the crate against a wall, and drape a dark-colored bedsheet over the top going across (covering the top and the two sides). Thus, when in the crate, the dog can only look out the front door. It makes it more den-like.
What a rad dog
She looks almost like a black cattle dog.
Kona’s a great name for her. 😀
Re: What a rad dog
Or a mini German Shepherd… with a curled tail.
Hey so we have found that our dogs have never stopped using their crate. They like it and go in there on their own. It is their den.
I hope that this is Kona, too. How do you make it more den-like for them? We put her toys and stuff in there with her and give her a treat when she walks in.
Well we put an old wool army blanket in there for comfort. We never really used toys or treats but Kacey (our springer spaniel) has brought her rope toy in from time to time. Gabby (our pomeranian) has always liked sleeping in a crate. Being a runt that is only half the size of an average pom I think it made her feel safe. When she was a pup she had a little one. It broke and she spent a few years sleeping with us but a couple of years ago when we got Kacey we also got a crate (for large breeds) and Gabby was so excited that she would go right in every night and Kacey just followed her in. They are both small enough to fit comfortably in there together. We did try not putting them in for a night or two but found that Kacey would not wake us if she needed to go out and would leave us a smelly gift by the back door so in they go every night. During the day if no one is home we put Kacey in there to keep her from tearing up the place but mostly she will nap under Jeremy’s desk and Gabby is usually under mine or in the crate. (We leave the crate door open during the day so they can go in and out when they want.)
it’s a good thing: re, the bed idea.
letting a dog sleep between owners is asking for trouble.
I don’t know if you care about cesar milan or not, but I think he’s keen, and he gives this advice a lot 🙂
Yeah I’ve heard it can confuse the pack order or some such. Bed is for the pack leaders!
exactly. kinda crazy when your dog can steal you spot next to your husband, eh? lol
aww. puppy!
Crates are good. My little dog loves her crate, especially when she is in trouble. She knows she best be in there cause we don’t like to look at her when we are mad…I think as long as it’s comfortable and clean, dogs end up liking that they have a “safe zone”.
Kona is adorable!!
We crate train too. To make it more like a den, we place the back end of the crate against a wall, and drape a dark-colored bedsheet over the top going across (covering the top and the two sides). Thus, when in the crate, the dog can only look out the front door. It makes it more den-like.
That is a good idea for the cage type crate. I have seen so many dogs frustrated because they feel fully exposed but cannot go anywhere.