Will I ever be able to go to the gym in the morning again? - Page 3

rog1006 · #25 3rd March 2003, 11:01 AM

Been following this thread and had to chime in here: when I wake up in the middle of the night because I hear a noise (for instance), without fail, I go to the bathroom. Now, I know I can probably hold it until morning, but even if there's just the tiniest urge because I'M AWAKE, I just go. You're right--your pup *could* hold it for a while longer if he's asleep, but to him, wake up= go pee.

Ty is two, and now that he's a bit older, he can hold it for a little while after he wakes up in the morning, but only long enough for me to wake up, put my clothes on and stumble out the door with him. He still knows that when he wakes up, he's got a bladder full and he has to go!

kflanaga · #26 3rd March 2003, 11:07 AM

I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but I do take him out to pee at 5 AM before I leave the apartment for 90 minutes or so. I don't leave him in there like a loaded grenade! I don't care about that, in fact this morning he didn't wake up at 5, when I did, and I took him out anyway. The problem I'm having is that at 5 AM he wants out, and he barks. This is now almost the only time he barks in the crate (okay, once in awhile he protests, but only for a minute).

Boxer_21 · #27 3rd March 2003, 11:47 AM

Puppies do nap frequently. In trying to remember Riley at the 3 month age, I remember him taking very frequent naps. We'd play for about a half hour to an hour (probably closer to the hour) and then he'd crash for an hour or so. When he woke up fully charged, he was ready to play again. I of course, was glad to play with him. After being crated for so much of the day (not being able to run around), finally having the chance to excercise or play would probably tucker him out much quicker.

I'm sorry, but I just can't imagine crating a small puppy, so full of energy and curiousity into a crate for such a large portion of the day. Even if I had been recommended by my vet to do so or read it in a book that it's ok, I just would not do it. It's just not right.

Housebreaking is a very tough learning experience not just for the puppy, but for the owner as well. There will be accidents, but it's definitely not the end of the world!! I would gladly pick up a pile on the kitchen floor or shampoo the carpets if it meant that Riley had his freedom and playtime. I am afterall the one who chose to bring him home. It's my job to give him the best life possible and as much freedom (outside of the crate).

One last comment, don't forget that boxers are highly intelligent dogs. They don't just need physical play, but they need to use their minds as well. They need to be challenged mentally by playing different games and solving different puzzles. This is simply something that can not be done while in a crate.

Matt S · #28 3rd March 2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kflanaga
my vet said it would probably be a bit more than seven days (and today is day seven, so I'm quite sure he was right!).

So by this I take it that this isn't the first or only method you've used with Simon's house breaking.
What were the other methods you used & do you think these changes in his toilet training routine have contributed to the troubles you're obviously experiencing?

kflanaga · #29 3rd March 2003, 03:52 PM

No, this is the only method I've used, but prior to him turning 3 months old, there was no strict schedule. Basically outside every hour or so, and more practicing being in the crate than anything else. The strict scheduling is delineated for puppies three months old and above.

kflanaga · #30 3rd March 2003, 03:55 PM

As an aside, I'm pretty happy with how the housebreaking (as in no peeing in the apartment ) is going. The first bottle of Nature's Miracle lasted about three days. The one I'm on now has been around for about ten days and it's still almost full. Housebreaking seems easier than cratebreaking (is that a word?).

Muttluvr · #31 3rd March 2003, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kflanaga
Question for Muttluvr: You mentioned that he always peed when he woke up. We have the same issue. He can hold it for four hours or so, unless we wakes up in that time period, it seems. Then, all bets are off. Did your just grow out of that?

Yep, he just grew out of it eventually. His first few days home I had to take him out of the crate and then carry him outside or else he'd step out of the crate and pee

. Then I started putting his leash on as soon as he came out of the crate and we'd make a bee-line for the door and then the bee-line without the collar (until we got to the door). Now we can wait 5-10 minutes after getting up (he's 8.5 months now)

SloppyKisses · #32 7th March 2003, 07:50 PM

To Kflanga

Do you not think your puppy wants to be with you? Why so much time in teh crate.

Dogs are pack animals, and see you as a member of their pack. It is *sorta* odd that you would not want your puppy around the house wiht you and your wife?

I understand you are a first time puppy owner (at least that is what your messages imply) I can relate -- it is a BIG change!

I understnad your issue with the gym, my hubby is a bodybuilder, too. (and lord help us if he misses aday!! I am sure it is your Chuch in a sense! What a great way to relieve stress!!!)

Routine is great for the puppy!! So stick with your routine, he will adapt.

20 hours in a crate can be detrimental. This may result in extreme chewing. My dog is a rescue who was crated (by I suspect well-meaning owners) for 18-20 hours a day, by 6 months he was experiencing extreme separation anxiety resulting from, quite frankly NEGLECT (animals NEED touch and play time) his owners eventually gav up on him at 9 months (his former owner also began to hit him exessively due to frustration from teh situation HE set up). With us, he is completely different.

Maybe you should try reading some animal behavior books??

He is still jsut a baby, so it will take him time! He is seeing you as his dad and just want to be with you.

Best of luck
AJ

SloppyKisses · #33 7th March 2003, 08:00 PM

Quote:

As an aside, I'm pretty happy with how the housebreaking (as in no peeing in the apartment ) is going. The first bottle of Nature's Miracle lasted about three days. The one I'm on now has been around for about ten days and it's still almost full. Housebreaking seems easier than cratebreaking (is that a word?).

Hey - that sounds great!

When we first got our dog - whether it be new situation or whatever (he really had it bad before we got him, lots of neglect) - but he had a lot of accidents...isnt Nature's Miracle a blessing??

That stuff saved us!!!

Good lUck

I just got caught up on yoru post and see you are following some training methods and learning.

Another thought -- do you like to run? My husband runs for his cardio training, and takes our dog with him. It really is a great experience for both of them. And nothing beats the look of a man running with a sleek looking boxer!! (damn this breed looks so nice running and playing!! All those muscles show! ! What GORGEOUS animals!).

You really can incorporate him into your work-outs (probably more-so when he gets larger) we play Flyball with our dog, obstacle courses - the works.

I'm not sure where in NYC you live, but jsut running around the sidewalks can be a fun obstacle course for you and your pooch!
(I grew up just outside NYC).

You made a good choice in breed - especially for an athlete. I train separately from my husband (we both bodybuild - I hope to do my first fitness show next January), but we both have Cowboy (our dog) incorporated into our training!! Heck -- when he is larger you can get quite a forearm work out playing tug-o-war with a chew toy!!

AJ

SloppyKisses · #34 7th March 2003, 08:07 PM

Quote:

I guess the question I wanted answered was this: To those of you who have boxers, if you were in this situation where you wanted to get up and go to the gym at 5 AM (and your dog is on a schedule to get up around 7 regardless), would your puppies/dogs allow it? I don't mean immediately. I mean eventually.

I hope I am able to help -sorry for responding so many times!! I didnt read all the responses till now (I havent been on the board lately so please excuse me for being slow...)

YES!!! My Hubby is a cop (excuse me -- Law Enforcement Officer-- he hates *cop* LOL!), anyhow - he has a cCRAZY schedule...He will get up and work out at 5am, even 4:30 am -- after about three months of our dog living with us, the dog began to jsut sleep in with me until hubby left for work. Then Cowboy would wake me around 7am to go out for a potty!

Definitely - give it time, he will totally adjust to your schedule -- eventually you getting up and leaving to work out at 5am will be nothing to him, he may wake to look at you, but go back to sleep because heknows you will return!

I can tell you -- nothing is better for a fitness enthusiast than a Boxer!!

AJ

Tresulya · #35 10th March 2003, 05:47 PM

Hello,
I've some ideas that you could use to replace the crate for your puppy while you're at home. You could get those tall fences and put them up in your work area for her, so she has some space to roam and play. If you're there with her, then she won't feel isolated. Or is it possible to set up a zip cord near you? We use one on our patio when we're too busy chatting to pay 100% attention to him. I also have a similar set up for my puppy in our loft area - only adults and cats have free roam of that area. Good luck!