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Peter Griffin asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

Positive reinforcement as I start crate training an adult dog, training tips and ideas needed?

Back story-

We rescued an Alaskan Malamute from an animal hoarder- she was in real bad shape when we got her.. Emaciated and easily 40lbs underweight, bacterial and fungal infection in both ears, Staph infection on her skin, etc. We fixed her up nicely! About 3 months ago we had our first "real issue" with her--- she ate a baseball hat, a tube sock and a cat toy. Tube sock and baseball hat came up, but cat toy got stuck in her stomach and we spent the $2,300 on life saving surgery..

We changed food, started free feeding and really cleaned up our home after this, determined that it wouldnt happen again.... . but last week she did it again! She's extremely tall and very large (39inches at the top of the head and 140lbs) and she can reach counters and tabletops with ease!

Went to the vet, did a barium X ray ($300) and found it was a "sock or some type of material in her instestines"..... We just can't afford a 2nd surgery for $2300! We've already spent over $4,000 on this dog in the last 8 months with all her medical problems! She seems to have passed this sock on her own after a touch and go few nights of lethargy, she seems to be back to her old self, eating and drinking (and not vomiting), thank God!

We just spent $200 on an XXL dog crate, since she's proven herself to us and the vet to have "canine pica"... a small price to pay to ensure this doesnt happen again while we are at work! We've never crate trained before and certainly havent with an adult dog--- so I implore you, Dog Section, please provide me with some tips and training ideas to make this new crate a positive experience and a safe, private place for our troublesome Mal!

Thanks a lot!

Update:

Added info- They both run 5-7 miles a day with me. They also have weight pullling harnesses and will haul logs and rocks around our acreage. They get more exercise than most dogs would need (cause they need more exercise than almost all breeds)

7 Answers

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  • anne b
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Sounds like she is quite the challenge!

    The goal should be to make the crate the funnest place for her to be. Place random treats in the crate and walk away, leaving her time to find them. Do the same thing with toys. Put a nice Kong in there with something frozen in it, like yogurt or apple sauce. Reward her with something nice every time she goes in the crate without having to be coaxed. Do some crate training when you are home, so she doesn't get anxious.

    Place the crate in an area where she can monitor your location, but not in a thoroughfare where she doesn't feel safe.

    Play soft music when you are not home, or leave the TV on for her, so she can relax. I have also found it helpful to cover the crate with a blanket, so it resembles a den. I don't recommend a crate pad, though, if she is eating that much stuff.

    Good luck!

    Source(s): Have had to train adult foster dogs to like their crates, even when they were abused in them in the past.
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aMtAy

    A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

  • 5 years ago

    The first thing you need to know is what kind of training you and your dog need. After that locate some good trainers that will take you and your dog, not just the dog. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/trainanydog

    In this special presentation you'll discover exactly why it's so important to start training your dog the right way. Important for you, important for your family, and, most of all, important for your dog! And It'll give you some great hints, tips, and advice to help you turn your dog into the best behaved, happiest, running, jumping, slipper-fetching best pal you always wanted.

    These are the very same tips that I spent years perfecting, the very same tips that have worked for thousands of dog lovers just like you.

  • 5 years ago

    Dog training are excellent and very helpful to build you a stronger relationship with your dog. Read more https://tr.im/s0crv

    After I started training my dog, he became very attached to me and loves to stay by side as long as he can. But just going to them won't help. You have to practice what they teach you outside of the class and you need to keep up with it at least every now and then after the class ends otherwise they'll just go back to previous habits. This course is a really good place to go for dog obedience classes. It get's your dog around other people and dogs to socialize while getting the training you need. As for electric collars, I would say to not get one. In my experience, they're only a negative effect on your dog. I mean of course you're going to need to correct your dog, but being positive and encouraging your dog works a lot faster and easier.

    Every dog is different, so unless you have a german shepherd or a really smart dog, it might take a while to train her. You might get frustrated with her, but go easy. She's still a puppy and has a lot of energy. A backyard or somewhere to run will help her get rid of a lot of energy that might cause her to misbehave from boredom.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Could she be doing this because in her previous home, she wasn't fed, so she ate anything she could?

    She needs more exercise, first of all. But she also needs appropriate things to direct her attention to - LIke a giant Kong stuffed with peanut butter or treats.

    Start crating her when you are HOME, with the door OPEN. Put things in there to draw her inside of the crate. Give her a "stay" command, and treat and praise while she is IN the crate.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Make training sessions fun! Dogs are born to play, so if the session is fun he will be more likely to learn and remember.

    It may take weeks of patience over many training sessions until he gets it right every time. Don't expect too much of him too soon - he's not designed to respond to the spoken word, so if you don't think he's quite understood, keep trying.

    Source(s): Give that a try: http://bit.ly/tip__2
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Haveing an obedient dog benifits you and the dog.I found this article that tought me alot about dog training. Obedience training helps establish the owner in the role of "pack leader". This will teach your dog that you are the pack leader and he must follow your rules. Obedience will lay down clear behavior guidelines that your dog can follow Repetition and consistency are the keys to training. For more tips on how to best train your dog go to these articles below.Here is some great advice I found in this dog training manuel.Not everybody agrees with training dogs with treats, they become dependent on the treats , its better to have a dog listen to you because he wants to not because you have food in your hand.best tip I can give is really bond with your dog. When your dog loves you more than anything else in the world, you'll never need another treat again. Be consistent with rules, expectations and praise. Walking your dog is a great treat for both you and the dog. Provide lots of mental stimulation, exersice and love. For more tips on dog training get this training manuel.

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