Puppy Crate Time, what is too much?

[cowboycraig]

My English Lab is 6 months old now. Working lots of training, socialization, play, etc. Maggie gets plenty of attention on many levels

But at 6 months now her energy and need to "get into things" is unstoppable.

At a point were we are training, playing, and or engaged 101% somehow or she needs to be in the crate for my sanity.

Is that natural? Bit of a puppy noob. Have had plenty of dogs form rescues but have never started at 8 weeks before.

Also any tips on "loving to nibble on hands & clothes etc would be well taken 

[REHJWA]

Welcome to the world of labs....you are right about needing to have time outs.

How much or how long depends on you and your dog....sometimes just a short time out is enough to reprimand, until diner is done, until guest leave.

 It does not have to be in a create but i do believe creates work well. You can start with shutting the door and then progress to just a spot in the house as a lay down space. This also helps to in a boat or blind...

 I have dog beds that I use as time out space. I make sure they have a toy or chew to help them out but when we say " kennel down" they know it means go to their beds and stay there. They have free range of the house but they like to get under our feet while cooking or when company is over (my parents don't like kisses ) then they get sent to time out.

Knowing their spot also gives them a "safe" place to go when the need to reprimanded for getting into something they shouldn't have....

I usually only give treats when they are on their beds to prevent begging....but also so time out space is a positive place to be.

Hope this helps.

[Brad Harshman]

Welcome to the world of labs....you are right about needing to have time outs.

How much or how long depends on you and your dog....sometimes just a short time out is enough to reprimand, until diner is done, until guest leave.

 It does not have to be in a create but i do believe creates work well. You can start with shutting the door and then progress to just a spot in the house as a lay down space. This also helps to in a boat or blind...

 I have dog beds that I use as time out space. I make sure they have a toy or chew to help them out but when we say " kennel down" they know it means go to their beds and stay there. They have free range of the house but they like to get under our feet while cooking or when company is over (my parents don't like kisses ) then they get sent to time out.

Knowing their spot also gives them a "safe" place to go when the need to reprimanded for getting into something they shouldn't have....

I usually only give treats when they are on their beds to prevent begging....but also so time out space is a positive place to be.

Hope this helps.

Agreed 100%  our command word is "pillow."  It's naturally a relaxing and positive space. 

Good luck!

[Happy Gilmore]

I put mine in the crate with chew toys when I'm not actively engaging in something with the pup. A puppy roaming about getting into Chit does nothing for my sanity

[aaronoto]

Sounds like normal puppy to me!  I feel your pain, we have a 6 month old WPG and she is much the same.  Now that she's to the point where I don't need the crate for housebreaking I try to keep her out of it as much as I can. It's super annoying at times, but she won't learn the rules of the house in the crate.  Blocking off sections of the house has really helped too, if we don't she will roam the house looking for anything and everything to stick in her mouth, and with a 2 year old son, there are plenty of toys around to tempt her!


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[cowboycraig]

Thanks for all the replies. Helps a lot!

Craig

[Mudman]

Our pup is 6m as well.  No crate since 3months old.  He needs a lot of outside time to get the energy out.  Attention too.  Let her go but wear her out some too.  The nibbling is fleabiting type grooming and or teething which will pass soon.  Affection grooming her people is what dog is doing.  I hate it but my boy does it all the time.  At 90lbs and with a 2 year old things are tough but got to watch the dog as much as the kids, or more.  9 months seems to be the magic # my dogs in the past turned a corner and chilled out some.

[ghosthunter]

I raised two.
Crate time is training too.
They have to learn to ride in the crate when traveling to hunting areas. Sometimes quit a drive.
Not only is time in crate important in my opinion. Being quiet in the crate is important too.

For chewing ,I kept a basket on the floor full of safe chew toys. Both girls could help themselves. Often my first pup would empty the basket and sleep in it.

To this day I keep stuffed animal I buy a G sales. For my lab to carry and play with when we are chumming around. I take the toy away when she goes in kennel for the night.

[lokidog]

 

Also as Mudman said, be sure the pup gets plenty of exercise.  A pooped pup is a polite pup.   

As far as the biting, IMO, everyone in the house has to be on board with no mouthing/biting being allowed. My wife and I don't like it either so that was an easy one to agree on.  When the pup starts to get mouthy, have something on hand to give them to chew. Also, when biting hands, I grab the lower jaw and push the lower lips in over the lower teeth and just hold it relatively gently until the dog relaxes and doesn't want my hand in their mouth. This also provides bite feedback, the harder they bite on your hand, the more pressure on their own lips.

[Jonathan_S]

Also, when biting hands, I grab the lower jaw and push the lower lips in over the lower teeth and just hold it relatively gently until the dog relaxes and doesn't want my hand in their mouth. This also provides bite feedback, the harder they bite on your hand, the more pressure on their own lips.

This is money.  I've got a very stubborn alpha boy beagle who has finally given up on just biting harder while doing this 

[AspenBud]

Before I write this. Understand, I crate my dogs, especially when they are young. I think crating is an invaluable tool that every dog owner should have available to them.

That said, it can be a double edged sword. A pup that spends too much time in there can often be a handful once let out. They can get frustrated and build up a lot of energy to burn without enough exercise and mental stimulation.

Having said that, sometimes you need a break, sometimes it's best to keep the pup crated at dinner time, and sometimes it's best to crate the pup to keep it out of trouble while you're not able to keep track of it (like when you go to the can, are at work, or go to bed). Just remember that the pup can't learn how to be a good house dog if you don't let it learn how to be one and keep it locked up all of the time.

I have a pup right now. I try not to set he or I up for failure. Case in point, if I try to let him sleep in our bedroom at night with our other dogs he won't settle down and I end up getting mad. Rather than yelling at the dog and potentially creating issues between he and I, I crate him instead. It's easier on the dog, easier on me, and doesn't lead to completely avoidable negative consequences that may impact us in the field. I want that dog to look to me with trust and work with me, not fear punishment from me.

[SpringerFan]

Also as Mudman said, be sure the pup gets plenty of exercise.  A pooped pup is a polite pup.   

As far as the biting, IMO, everyone in the house has to be on board with no mouthing/biting being allowed. My wife and I don't like it either so that was an easy one to agree on.  When the pup starts to get mouthy, have something on hand to give them to chew. Also, when biting hands, I grab the lower jaw and push the lower lips in over the lower teeth and just hold it relatively gently until the dog relaxes and doesn't want my hand in their mouth. This also provides bite feedback, the harder they bite on your hand, the more pressure on their own lips.

Sound advice here. Don't over train. A few retrieves. A few commands. Much praise. Then the kennel.

At the point a command is not being followed stop giving  it. Get the pup and kennel. They will think about it.

[notsosneaky]

Also as Mudman said, be sure the pup gets plenty of exercise.  A pooped pup is a polite pup.   

As far as the biting, IMO, everyone in the house has to be on board with no mouthing/biting being allowed. My wife and I don't like it either so that was an easy one to agree on.  When the pup starts to get mouthy, have something on hand to give them to chew. Also, when biting hands, I grab the lower jaw and push the lower lips in over the lower teeth and just hold it relatively gently until the dog relaxes and doesn't want my hand in their mouth. This also provides bite feedback, the harder they bite on your hand, the more pressure on their own lips.

Sound advice here. Don't over train. A few retrieves. A few commands. Much praise. Then the kennel.

At the point a command is not being followed stop giving  it. Get the pup and kennel. They will think about it.

Mostly agree with everyone above
My new lab is just about six months. Mouthing was bad but a friend suggested to let out a "Yelp" when she uses teeth. I thought it was stupid but I did it once and she immediately stopped so I kept doing it for a few days and she doesn't mouth anyone in the family after just a few days.
I was amazed it worked so I asked my friend about it and he said it's a natural thing they do with each other and they just need to know that humans are more fragile.
.02

[SpringerFan]

Also as Mudman said, be sure the pup gets plenty of exercise.  A pooped pup is a polite pup.   

As far as the biting, IMO, everyone in the house has to be on board with no mouthing/biting being allowed. My wife and I don't like it either so that was an easy one to agree on.  When the pup starts to get mouthy, have something on hand to give them to chew. Also, when biting hands, I grab the lower jaw and push the lower lips in over the lower teeth and just hold it relatively gently until the dog relaxes and doesn't want my hand in their mouth. This also provides bite feedback, the harder they bite on your hand, the more pressure on their own lips.

Sound advice here. Don't over train. A few retrieves. A few commands. Much praise. Then the kennel.

At the point a command is not being followed stop giving  it. Get the pup and kennel. They will think about it.

Mostly agree with everyone above
My new lab is just about six months. Mouthing was bad but a friend suggested to let out a "Yelp" when she uses teeth. I thought it was stupid but I did it once and she immediately stopped so I kept doing it for a few days and she doesn't mouth anyone in the family after just a few days.
I was amazed it worked so I asked my friend about it and he said it's a natural thing they do with each other and they just need to know that humans are more fragile.
.02

I did the same thing. Worked well. Good add.

[jjaba]

one thing we used to do with pups and full grown.  is take a rolled raw hide chew soak in water.  unroll it... spread peanut butter inside and reroll put in freezer.  gives the dogs hours of chewing fun.  we gave to the dogs before we left.  they were in the same spot still working on the peanut butter treat when we got home a few hours later.