Quote From: tapestry6o Find a way to explain to "the man" that not crate training Bitsy is misguided and anthropomorphic. Wolves live in dens, he should remember, and dogs are close kin to wolves. Bitsy's crate will become her den and she will retreat to it voluntarily and often once she gets used to it.
Never put her in her crate as a punishment. Put her in, tell her she's the most fabulous puppy ever, and give her a treat. Close the door and leave.
I like wire cages better than the plastic carriers. Get a big one! Sometimes I put a large towel over the top and sides, so it's more denlike.
Every dog I have and every dog that stays with me (sometimes for weeks at a time), is either crate-trained or spot-trained. Misty's too big for any of my crates, so her spot is right in front of the front door on a rug. She's not allowed off that rug and she's quite content, I promise.
Good luck!
"The man" and I were garage sale shopping today and I found a medium size dog crate for $5.00 - can you believe it!!?? Well, I bought that sucker immediately so he has nothing more to say about it.
This evening after I cleaned it all up - with help from Bitsy (she had soap suds on the tips of her ears and her chin) - hubby and I were discussing the crate training and he is totally on board with it now.
Bitsy is currently sleeping in a large cardboard box next to our bed but she cannot see out except by looking up, so I know this will be a big improvement for her. I am following the crate training instructions I found on the Internet for Bichons which I don't expect are much different from other pups. If I'm wrong about that please let me know right away!! :)
I'll keep you all posted on her progress. btw, she went with us in our golf cart while we shopped. At the first sale, we were the only customers, and the lady of the house just had to hold Bitsy, who promptly "christened" her! I was very embarrassed but the lady just laughed. Hubby said he thought they both had been drinking. They were very jolly, but their 8 month old puppy who looked to be a Labrador size mix, and was tied to their front porch, was excited to see another dog and didn't seem to have had any training other than the man hitting him, which he did. We left soon after that. Poor dog.
