Some Bad News

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Originally posted by Twisterdog
Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad ... but I tend to call them like I see them. I seemed to me that whenever anyone suggested something to try, you had a reason ready as to why it wouldn't work, or that you'd already tried it, or that you couldn't afford it, etc. Just seemed to me that you really didn't want help and suggestions after all, since you seemed to be shooting down every suggestion without even giving it a thought first.

I also missed it the first time, I suppose, that your dog is only six months old. (Probably a good thing I did! ;) ) Six months old is right in the middle of the rebellious teenage stage dogs go through ... just like a sixteen year old kid. Almost ALL dogs act up at that age!

I'm glad to see you are willing to try crating. You can find used crates at yard sales almost any weekend for $5 - $10.

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I bought a crate from Ebay. I am really stretching funds to do this. My husband is extreemly strict with money, but since he has been deployed, I am here doing the bills, and well...I WRITE THE CHECKS NOW!:D


I know I seemed like I was turning down suggestions, I guess I was just afraid or something. But when Casey laid his head on my legs and looked up at me, like "Mama, give me another chance..."

Oh sweet Casey...

Awsome! Looks like the crate you bid on will work great...are you sure it's the size for Casey? Anywho, when you get the crate, he may not like it at first but don't give up. He'll have to see that you make the decisions and it's what's best for him. On the otherhand, some dogs don't have any reaction when going into the crate for the first time.

Good luck to you and casey....and remember, like others have said, he's going through his 'teenage' stage right now. Kai's still going through it. I expect that Kai won't settle down until maybe 2 or 3.

the crate is supposed to fit a 60lb dog and Casey is about 35lbs. I think the first thing is putting him in there at dinner time. He doesn't beg, but I want him to know it's calm time because we all sit at the table and eat together at dinner time.

(yes, some freaks of nature still do that bizzarre thing called family dinner)

family dinner...what's that?:confused:


Lol our family is a bit..disorganized..

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Originally posted by binka_nugget
family dinner...what's that?:confused:


Lol our family is a bit..disorganized..

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Yeah, I hear most people in this country don't do that anymore. Man my grandparents were strict on that.

That's the exact same crate we had for Kito (a smaller size though).
He didn't mind going in it, and even slept in there at first, but once we came home and he was limping--the silly goof had gotten his paw stuck in it:rolleyes:

Anyway, just make sure Casey sees it as a great place to be--treats work wonders to get them in there, you could also try feeding him in there too. Give him a few toys when he is in there, so he doesn't get bored--I recommend that Kong--I know you said you are short on funds, but they are an awesome toy. You can fill them with treats, peanut butter, canned food, kibble, oatmeal, cottage cheese, ANYTHING Casey likes--mine will even eat ice cubes out of them. You can check their website for recipes or ideas for stuffing them. It will keep him busy for a while--once or twice a week, ours have to be alone longer than usual, and that's what I give them.

Good luck!!!:)

LMAO!

I had a black Kong for him...he shredded it in 2 weeks! Guess I'll get him a new one. He loved PB in it.

his favorite are squeeky toys. he can't figure out how he's making the squeeky noise.

HE SHREDDED THE BLACK KONG? MY GOD...THAT'S ONE DETERMINED PUP. Isn't the black one the kong for those obsessive chewers? lol Kai doesn't care for his Kong...I tried stuffing it with loads of things...he doesn't care lol.

crating is not an asset in my opinion. I didnt crate my dogs and never will. I think of it kinda like imprissioning them :eek:. When ever I would put Oscar in his kenelle he would whine and cry and I would feel super bad, I dont think it is very nice to do that to a dog or puppy. Tikeya has never even been in a crate in her life intull one day when she went into get spayed she had to stay over night and she freaked out!! the vets thoughs she was dieing!!!! :eek:!!! She has never been near or in a crate ever since.

I think that this heeler needs some obedience training in group classes or privatly, and he shouldent be allowed to get bored, he should sleep in the same room as you, and he should alwasy have somone to play with, or somthing yummy to chew on.

just seems senstible, rather then giving him away!.

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Originally posted by binka_nugget
HE SHREDDED THE BLACK KONG? MY GOD...THAT'S ONE DETERMINED PUP. Isn't the black one the kong for those obsessive chewers? lol Kai doesn't care for his Kong...I tried stuffing it with loads of things...he doesn't care lol.

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Yes! A black Kong! And one of those dental Kongs that ar on the rope with the knots was shredded too.

I did read that Blue Heelers are power chewers and they do it to relieve stress and calm down.

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Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
crating is not an asset in my opinion. I didnt crate my dogs and never will. I think of it kinda like imprissioning them :eek:. When ever I would put Oscar in his kenelle he would whine and cry and I would feel super bad, I dont think it is very nice to do that to a dog or puppy. Tikeya has never even been in a crate in her life intull one day when she went into get spayed she had to stay over night and she freaked out!! the vets thoughs she was dieing!!!! :eek:!!! She has never been near or in a crate ever since.

I think that this heeler needs some obedience training in group classes or privatly, and he shouldent be allowed to get bored, he should sleep in the same room as you, and he should alwasy have somone to play with, or somthing yummy to chew on.

just seems senstible, rather then giving him away!.

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I kinda always thought the same thing about crating, but at this point I will try anything. I know he's going to whimper and play the sympathy card with me. I am not strong, but I must be. LOL

Casey does sleep with me. He curls up on my bed with me until I fall asleep then he goes down on his blankie at the foot of the bed when I fall asleep. (At least that's what I think he does because when I fall asleep he's on the bed with me and when I wake up he's on his blankie.)

As far as obediance classes, as I have said before, that's not really doable for us right now bwcause we are "money-challenged" but maybe someday. I am a person that researches and reads about something and then tries to do it myself to save money, rather than pay someone to do it, so I got "Dog Training For Dummies"

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Originally posted by tikeyas_mom
crating is not an asset in my opinion. I didnt crate my dogs and never will. I think of it kinda like imprissioning them :eek:. When ever I would put Oscar in his kenelle he would whine and cry and I would feel super bad, I dont think it is very nice to do that to a dog or puppy. Tikeya has never even been in a crate in her life intull one day when she went into get spayed she had to stay over night and she freaked out!! the vets thoughs she was dieing!!!! :eek:!!! She has never been near or in a crate ever since.

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This is in your humble opinion, as I stand beside mine.
I hope that some day I don't have to crate her but for now I wouldn't have a dog that isn't crated.
And you're right, some dogs don't do well in crates, b/c they get separation anxiety etc But for those that are well adjusted to it is is an asset.

Great news that you have decided to keep Casey, as you said yourself you are able to be with her all the time, which means you will have the time and hopefully patience to train her, as she is still just a puppy.

I think the people who were willing to take her seemed genuine and caring folks, otherwise why would they bother to send such a long detailed email.

However it depends if they were looking for a working dog, when I was young growing up on the dairy farm, we had working dogs, I am sorry to say it but they were never allowed inside, but were fed, loved and well taken care for and of course had large kennels with runs, but they were not really pets.

Perhaps thats what Casey was going to be on the ranch?

Good luck with your furkid, and just be patient. cheers:)

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Originally posted by CattleDogMom
As far as obediance classes, as I have said before, that's not really doable for us right now bwcause we are "money-challenged" but maybe someday. I am a person that researches and reads about something and then tries to do it myself to save money, rather than pay someone to do it, so I got "Dog Training For Dummies"

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I'm like that too. I only took begginer's obedience because it seemed like it was a MUST. Everyone told me to go and I guess it seemed like a rule or something. Obedience didn't do anything for us except the fact that I learned that Kai doesn't like seeing other dogs run off leash when he's on leash. We didn't learn much from the $95 we spent. Kai had already knew everything before we went to obedience. And also, whenever I had a problem like not being able to get him to focus when he's around other dogs...they'd take him away and work with him. Shouldn't they be telling me how to work with him? Anyways...I think it could work out even if you don't ever go to obedience classes. I mean, it would be great to find a local class with great instructors that would know how to deal with Casey but then again, no one should know your dog better than you do. In our case, if we had never gone to obedience, Kai would be just the same.

Crating is not mean to a dog. It is a very necessary tool. Important things to remember: Don't use the crate as punishment - keep the experience positive for the dog. Don't keep a dog in a crate for long periods of time. Leave a soft thing to lay on and toys in the crate.

Think about this: What would happen in case of an emergency and your dog had to be in a crate or other wise confined for reasons beyond your control? Hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake, fire? If the dog was used to being in a crate, it would think everything was fine. If not used to a crate, it would be one more very stressful thing for the dog to put up with in the middle of a disaster. And no matter how well we care for our dogs, things happen and they need to go to the vet and sometimes stay there for some time. If they are used to being confined, it is a lot easier on the dog.

I am a crate advocate, as you can tell. All dogs will whine and cry at first, if you let them out when they do that it is just reinforcing that behavior. They figure they cry, you'll let them out. Crating is not cruel at all when it is done right.