Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, Shiba people.......Need your thoughts here. Our Murphy turned 5 in May. He has always gone VERY happily into his crate when we leave the house. In fact, when he sees us getting ready he will sometimes go in and wait there for his treat. Last Sunday morning, he did not want to go in, but we sent him anyway. Every time, since then, we have to corral him and put him in. Nothing at home has changed. It's cool in the house, he always gets his treat. We took everything out of the crate and washed it, and also washed down the inside walls. Found nothing in there....no dead bugs, nothing. He fears thunder, but hasn't been in there during a thunder storm. Is it possible that he has just decided that being crated is not his thing anymore? We have a guest coming this weekend and will be away now and again, but are thinking that after that, we will start doing short trips away, with him free...just put the treat in his crate and leave, increasing the length of time away each time. We don't feel he will cause any problems while alone, but thought he might feel uneasy and unsure about being left out of it. Is age 5 a turning point where shibas feel they are truly grown up??
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

The only time I have used the kennel for my dogs was when each was transitioning into the household. Once done the dogs have had free run of the house with no problems. You could be on the right track with Murphy and if it's something you want to do I can't see the harm. You may not want to take the crate completely away so I would leave the crate where it is and leave the house for a short period of time and see if Murphy goes into it anyway.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Thanks, Bob. We just continued using the crate because he seemed to like it.....going into it without being asked when he saw we were preparing to go out. He doesn't use it any other time. I think we will start the process of leaving him free in the house, but not for a few days. We have a guest coming in tomorrow evening for a few days. I don't think it would be a good idea to make a change until we are back in our regular routine. Then maybe make a quick McD's run (15 minutes), something longer next, and so on. I agree about leaving the kennel up, and really wouldn't be surprised to find him in it when we come back! LOL
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

I would suggest you stop the crating immediately. There is a reason for his not wanting to get into it anymore. One possibility is an orthopedic problem, either injury or arthritis or both.

Instead of crating him, confine him behind a baby gate, or even a closed door, when you would otherwise crate him. Make sure the area is cool enough and he has water, chew toys, and a comfortable sleeping surface.

And have him checked out by the veterinarian. This could be a chance to catch something early and make a huge difference in his future health.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thank you for your reply, Kathy. He is ONLY in his crate when we leave home, no other time and only then because it has been his lifelong habit, not concern that he will get into any mischief. It's a crate large enough for a lab, so he's in no way cramped in it.

He's running, jumping, playing, and doing his 500's as always. We do, however plan to start weaning him from it as soon as the houseguest, who arrives today, leaves on Tuesday.
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

For Kona, he was about 4 or 5 when he didn't want to be in his crate at night. During the day they had full run of the house and would use the crate as there bed at night or when he wanted it to. So the night he decided he was a big boy and didn't want to be in the crate, we left the door open and he jumped up on the bed and slept with us. Fast forward to now both Kona and Kika are almost 10 they still go into there crates when they want to. We left them up and with the doors always open. It's there little safe haven. No one bothers them when they are in there crate.
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David owned by Kona, Kiko & Kaia

Hi David and good to hear from you! We are going to start next week to wean him from a closed crate when we leave. We were going to start today, but remembered we have an appointment, later in the week, that will keep us away from home several hours. We think maybe he needs more time, with gradually extended absences, to make the switch so we'll wait til next week!

I bet I can prove to you that I'm truly a big boy now!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

How is Murphy doing? We are waiting with (doggy) baited breath to know!

Patty, my Beni, and the Queen of Shiba, Kari

We are in the midst of crate weaning week and he is doing great! We left for 1/2 hour Sunday, 45 minutes on Monday, and about 1/2 hour yesterday. Today is his day at Day Camp, so he can tell all his pals about his new privileges. Planning longer times away tomorrow and Friday, and then even longer on Saturday. Sunday morning, will be his Graduation Exercise....we'll be gone for 4 hours!

He hasn't touched a thing, and the tape recorder I turn on just before we leave hasn't recorded any barks or fuss at all!

He seems really happy and proud! Guess the little guy knew it was time!

Well, of course I did........I'm a really good boy!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Update us on your big boy, please...How did he do today?

Patty, Beni, and Kari

His entire week has been perfect! He was home alone for 4.5 hours this morning, and was curled up, napping, when we got home. The voice activated tape recorder we leave on recorded nothing between our leaving and our return, but the striking of the clock!

Haven't figured out yet why our often very noisy boy doesn't bark when we are gone, though. Because he has no one there to protect? Because he has no one there to warn? Because he doesn't want to call attention to himself? Guess a boy has to have some secrets!

Exactly right, Mom.........don't worry 'bout it!!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy

Dog sleep when nothing is going on to arouse them, usually somewhere between 14 and 18 hours total sleep out of every 24 hours. Ideally, you want the dog to be able to sleep while you are gone. Sounds like it's working great!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I agree! Murphy is a big boy now and showing how it's done!
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

At one point--I can't remember how old she was--Artemis decided she was done with her crate. I tried to get her to go in for a while after that, but then I was afraid she wouldn't see her "den" as a safe place anymore, so I just left the door open and let her choose. She never chose the crate again, so I eventually moved it to the basement. She no longer has a crate and has been completely fine as a "free" dog. How are things going with Murphy?

Things are going great! He's been perfectly behaved, no problems at all. We had always put a kong with his treat in it, in his crate. We still give him that, and it's kind of funny.....we took the door off the crate, but left it where it had always been. Now, he runs into his crate and waits for his kong. When we put it in, he brings it back out to enjoy, and we leave. Quite often, when we come back, he is curled up in his crate. He never goes in there any other time. We have also been leaving a voice activated tape recorder and we hear very little barking.....mostly just when the mail is delivered.

I'm happy with things this way, Mom!
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Anne, Bill, and Murphy