Training dog to be left on his own.

DeadlyByDesign

So right now'( little fecker is howling in the kitchen) I am trying to teach my new great dane that it is ok to be left alone. Not working so well. I have left his bed, kong toys in kitchen and retreating into sitting room for 5 mins at a span. He still howls and cries...I also fear for my doors with the scratching lol!

So can anyone advise? Just gut it out?

Eibhin

What age is he?
Have you thought of using a crate - they are great for training and would save the doors too!
I do think you will have to gut it out. What happens at night when you leave him or does he sleep in your room?

Whispered

Eibhin wrote: »

Have you thought of using a crate - they are great for training and would save the doors too!

I've often read threads here where people were having problems with excessive chewing, howling, going to the toilet etc when they leave the room and I've thought "god I'm lucky, none of the dogs or pups I've had ever did any of that". But I think it's because they are all crate trained from the beginning. I'd highly recommend it. Although you'll need to get a HUGE one to suit a dane.

(you'll have to get a divider to make it suits him size-wise when he is a pup)

DeadlyByDesign

Eibhin wrote: »

What age is he?
Have you thought of using a crate - they are great for training and would save the doors too!
I do think you will have to gut it out. What happens at night when you leave him or does he sleep in your room?

No crate yet. We will be getting one though. At the moment he sleeps in the bedroom as he is just 9 weeks and presumed the sudden change in enviornment would take some getting used to as I have only had him since weds.

dvet

DeadlyByDesign wrote: »

No crate yet. We will be getting one though. At the moment he sleeps in the bedroom as he is just 9 weeks and presumed the sudden change in enviornment would take some getting used to as I have only had him since weds.

I'd say that if you're not always planning on letting him sleep in the bedroom then its best not to get him in to the habit now, even if you feel sorry for him... otherwise you'll have to deal with him getting upset all over again when you change the routine! And howling during the day is one thing, but howling all night is another!

The crate training is a good idea.

Whatever you decide to do though, the key is to be as consistent as possible... and stick to your guns!

Eibhin

Oh god get him out of the bedroom fast!!
I know how tempting it is and have been guilty myself but in the long run you will make things worse.
It really is like having a baby and you just have to make a decision and stick to it.
The radio on low, a hot water bottle, maybe a soft toy (but it will be chewed) and leave him to it.
If you need to go into the kitchen or wherever he is after bedtime, don't pet him or engage in any activities, so he knows it's quiet time.

I really would look into the crate thing...check prices cos they vary hugely online and shops etc.
Best of luck!

Photos??

DeadlyByDesign

Eibhin wrote: »

Oh god get him out of the bedroom fast!!


Photos??

There ya are...butter woldn't melt. He is peaceful looking there, but that was afte a case of the zoomies, and an hour walk to cure them.

acia

I have a 12 week old shih tzu and he sleeps in kitchen first few times we left him alone he cried and cried but I didn't go near him but after a few attempts he now will whine for perhaps 30 seconds and stays in his crate. It's hard to do but worth it in long run.

andreac

DeadlyByDesign wrote: »

There ya are...butter woldn't melt. He is peaceful looking there, but that was afte a case of the zoomies, and an hour walk to cure them.

Oh god, dont walk this pup for an hour:eek:!! Pups are only meant to be walked for 5 mins per month of age per day so i think your pup is only 8 weeks is it? so thats 10 mins exercise.

DeadlyByDesign

andreac wrote: »

Oh god, dont walk this pup for an hour:eek:!! Pups are only meant to be walked for 5 mins per month of age per day so i think your pup is only 8 weeks is it? so thats 10 mins exercise.

10 weeks. Must of gotten my info wrong I thiught it was up to an hour withing the first 2 months?

andreac

DeadlyByDesign wrote: »

10 weeks. Must of gotten my info wrong I thiught it was up to an hour withing the first 2 months?

Oh god no, its only about 5 mins per month of age so you are looking at 10-15 mins max at the moment.
You can cause joint problems by over exercising at a young age so please be very careful.
Also, at 10 weeks, is your pup over all its vaccinations? If not, it shouldnt be outside walking until it is as they are at risk of catching diseases like Parvo and Lepto.

DeadlyByDesign

Thanks for that andreac. Early save there on your part. Will tske this into account going forward

tk123

+1 For crate rest but you'll need a huge one when he grows up lol. We have 2 at the moment - a folding wire one and an atlas car one - I prefer the atlas one. It's much stronger, does rattle like the wire one, there's compartments in the top and carry handles etc etc It was only e20-30 more on zooplus than the wire one of the same size.
Also another good tip is to get a size up in the kongs - we have XXL ones for our golden retriever - 2 on the go and 2 in the dishwasher lol and they've been a lifesaver while he's been on crate rest for the last 4 weeks. The large sized ones never really kept him entertained but the XXL ones will keep him busy for up to an hour - depending on how well packed it is
I used to have him up in my room in the crate at night and when he was housetrained I let him sleep on the end of the bed..then at 5 or 6 months he turned into a lazy bum and wouldn't come up with me anymore lol - so don't be too worried about him being upstairs with you at the moment - but it's the perfect time to crate train him up in the bedroom with you. You won't feel too guilty about him being on his own and if he's up with you'll know when he's crying to go out to the loo so housetraining will be a lot easier.

luvdogs

Its ok to have him sleep in your room if thats where he`ll always sleep but if not...dont do it!!!
crate def the best idea, mine all love them!
Also as andreac said....its 5mins per month as a general rule!
just play in the garden is enough for him now, get him used to the lead while you`re waiting for his needles to be finished. Even in the garden though, dont let him over do it play wise...dane pups never know when they`ve had enough, so its up to you to enforce the rest :P
he looks fab btw!!

The Sweeper

With large breed pups the trick seems to be 'grow 'em slow' - so good feed (look into barf), gentle exercise - you don't need to pound the pavements with the dog at all until it's over six months old. If you want to train it to walk on a lead, you can start in your own yard. If you want to socialise him, once he's fully vaccinated you can spend a while in your front yard with him, greeting passers-by and their dogs with your pup under control.

At six months of age, many breeds can stretch their walking time past the 5 mins per month rule, depending on the dog. Here's a tip - if the dog starts to act up on the walk, check how long you've been out. Sometimes they can fuss if they're getting tired.

With a Dane, however, I'd be sticking to 5 mins per month up to a year of age, and not ever necessarily exceeding that exercise quota. It takes a long time for a giant breed to reach its destined size. Avoid the stairs with him too, and if you're bringing him on a drive, buy a plank of timber or a covered crate as a 'step' so he can walk into and out of the car instead of jumping.

tk123

The Sweeper wrote: »

and if you're bringing him on a drive, buy a plank of timber or a covered crate as a 'step' so he can walk into and out of the car instead of jumping.

When he's fully grown he'll be able to get in no probs lol - his bum will probably be higher than the back of the car !! :pac::pac::pac::pac:
Anyhoos have a ramp for our guy - I was reluctant to get one cos I thought i'd be a pain for me but he hurt his paw jumping out of the car and that was it. He already has problems with his legs so imo hurting his paw that time was my fault - because I could have prevented it! I think as well I was reluctant because of peoples reactions - I already get "Hey your golden labrador had hip dysplasia" (he's a golden retriever and his hips are fine it's a prob with his hocks ) from tools in the park but nuts to them I got the ramp and tbh it takes the same amount of time than getting him to jump in also he thinks he's doing agility and loves going up and down the ramp!! Especially at home because he can have a gawk up and down the road from his vantage point at the top of the ramp :pac:

I always stuck to the 5 mins rule - THANK GOD because we didn't know he had the deformity until he was around 9 months - if I had of been over working him he could have been much worse.

OP is this the same great dane that I recommened DTI to - if it is I can't wait to see him when our guy is able to go back!!