Joined
·
3 Posts
We have several problems.
My dog won't stop howling/crying bloody murder the moment I close the door to his crate or to his playpen, even if I'm standing right there. He actually seems to take my presence as incentive to cry even more violently as he pounces around the crate or playpen and even tries to gnaw on the bars. These are ear-piercing wails and tantrum-like barks. His voice is now sore.
I already read so many things about not rewarding him with my presence/attention while he's howling. And I haven't, for the most part. This doesn't seem to do much good though because shortly after I arrive, oftentimes he will start up again (and it can last an hour or more). I cannot feed him, nor clean his crap on the floor, nor water him, nor take him out the moment he starts howling because that would be reinforcing the bad behavior, right? This seriously narrows down the window of opportunity to keep him healthy, because he must cry himself to total exhaustion before the window happens.
I have tried putting the blanket over the crate, then over the entire crate, added a ticking clock "heartbeat" in the room, played music in the room, coaxing him in with treats (which he promptly darts in and takes OUT of the crate). I take the treat away from him and put it back in the crate and only let him keep it if he stays in the crate, which he has only done once willingly before I left and he started his tantrum again. I toss treats in there, but after he's darted in and out and eaten it, he actually jumps all over me and nips me for more. He does not respond to me giving him praise, or when I "bark" at him to show my displeasure.
I have also tried "yelping" and ignoring him for 10 seconds if he bites me too hard. That has done all of nothing - he seems to think I'm just playing, because he just jumps at me constantly until he gets my attention again.
He has had very little interest in toys. But he likes a rawhide that keeps falling out of the holes of the crate as he gnaws on it. I tried putting a Kong in there, but he's not all that interested in it even though it's stuffed full of almond butter and kibble.
The ONLY time he calms is when I'm in the playpen WITH him, or in physical contact with him. Cuddles after bathtime is when he is the ABSOLUTE calmest (he falls asleep on my chest and acts all cute-like, as demons can be).
He poops in his crate or playpen then jumps all over it while he's having his tantrum. I'm not allowed to take him out to do his doody until his shots are done, according to the vet, but I need to take him out to potty train and to socialize him or expect behavioral issues when he's older according to others. I was also told that puppy pads would be teaching him the wrong thing to do! HOW exactly is a person supposed to follow these contradictory instructions?? Am I expected to let him poop and pee in the house for the next three months? Expect to put him down because he has behavioral issues later in life?
I tried taping down garden cloth on top of all the grass in our tiny backyard to create a barrier from any dog-diseases that may be on the ground, then put a small square of fake grass on top for his restroom. He has peed in there twice so far, and both times I fed him a little treat within 3 seconds after the event, along with lots of praise and to-do. The poop, however, will not come out of that rascal's little butt unless he gets some exercise, which he cannot get in a tiny little back yard or tiny bedroom/crate/playpen. So far his "exercise" is coming from him having long-winded tantrums. My playing with him in the garage, running around in circles or tug-wrestling with a toy (which he loses interest in fairly quickly) doesn't seem to be enough.
I should also mention that I reviewed the entire AKC "ideal" schedule for puppy feeding/exercise/playtimes. I found it hilariously unrealistic for the working individual. I have a full time day job, how else would I pay for the dog's food and care, let alone my mortgage? I do complete what I can in the early mornings, during every lunch break, and immediately after work.
I have lost so much sleep taking care of him. And I want to do this right, but all the information I've found is just contradicting each other. Help!
Any whole or partial advice would be appreciated. Thank you for your time!
My dog won't stop howling/crying bloody murder the moment I close the door to his crate or to his playpen, even if I'm standing right there. He actually seems to take my presence as incentive to cry even more violently as he pounces around the crate or playpen and even tries to gnaw on the bars. These are ear-piercing wails and tantrum-like barks. His voice is now sore.
I already read so many things about not rewarding him with my presence/attention while he's howling. And I haven't, for the most part. This doesn't seem to do much good though because shortly after I arrive, oftentimes he will start up again (and it can last an hour or more). I cannot feed him, nor clean his crap on the floor, nor water him, nor take him out the moment he starts howling because that would be reinforcing the bad behavior, right? This seriously narrows down the window of opportunity to keep him healthy, because he must cry himself to total exhaustion before the window happens.
I have tried putting the blanket over the crate, then over the entire crate, added a ticking clock "heartbeat" in the room, played music in the room, coaxing him in with treats (which he promptly darts in and takes OUT of the crate). I take the treat away from him and put it back in the crate and only let him keep it if he stays in the crate, which he has only done once willingly before I left and he started his tantrum again. I toss treats in there, but after he's darted in and out and eaten it, he actually jumps all over me and nips me for more. He does not respond to me giving him praise, or when I "bark" at him to show my displeasure.
I have also tried "yelping" and ignoring him for 10 seconds if he bites me too hard. That has done all of nothing - he seems to think I'm just playing, because he just jumps at me constantly until he gets my attention again.
He has had very little interest in toys. But he likes a rawhide that keeps falling out of the holes of the crate as he gnaws on it. I tried putting a Kong in there, but he's not all that interested in it even though it's stuffed full of almond butter and kibble.
The ONLY time he calms is when I'm in the playpen WITH him, or in physical contact with him. Cuddles after bathtime is when he is the ABSOLUTE calmest (he falls asleep on my chest and acts all cute-like, as demons can be).
He poops in his crate or playpen then jumps all over it while he's having his tantrum. I'm not allowed to take him out to do his doody until his shots are done, according to the vet, but I need to take him out to potty train and to socialize him or expect behavioral issues when he's older according to others. I was also told that puppy pads would be teaching him the wrong thing to do! HOW exactly is a person supposed to follow these contradictory instructions?? Am I expected to let him poop and pee in the house for the next three months? Expect to put him down because he has behavioral issues later in life?
I tried taping down garden cloth on top of all the grass in our tiny backyard to create a barrier from any dog-diseases that may be on the ground, then put a small square of fake grass on top for his restroom. He has peed in there twice so far, and both times I fed him a little treat within 3 seconds after the event, along with lots of praise and to-do. The poop, however, will not come out of that rascal's little butt unless he gets some exercise, which he cannot get in a tiny little back yard or tiny bedroom/crate/playpen. So far his "exercise" is coming from him having long-winded tantrums. My playing with him in the garage, running around in circles or tug-wrestling with a toy (which he loses interest in fairly quickly) doesn't seem to be enough.
I should also mention that I reviewed the entire AKC "ideal" schedule for puppy feeding/exercise/playtimes. I found it hilariously unrealistic for the working individual. I have a full time day job, how else would I pay for the dog's food and care, let alone my mortgage? I do complete what I can in the early mornings, during every lunch break, and immediately after work.
I have lost so much sleep taking care of him. And I want to do this right, but all the information I've found is just contradicting each other. Help!
Any whole or partial advice would be appreciated. Thank you for your time!