I need to buy a dog crate

[rivan]

So I need to crate my almost 11-year old lab. I don't want to do it, but he's just not responding to other training.

Is there a newegg for dog supplies? I'd rather not spend the $140 Foster & Smith want:

9N-8631 Thick Foam Pads 26" x 42" $39.99 x = $39.99
9N-19346 Remington Pet Carrier Extra Large $69.99 x = $69.99

Subtotal = $109.98

plus tax & shipping. Local Petsmart's about the same cost - higher prices but no shipping.

Anyone have a reliable site with better prices?

 

[leftyman]

whats the dog suddenly doing?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: leftyman
whats the dog suddenly doing?

Yeah, at that age with a sudden change in behavior, I would definitely recommend a trip to the vet.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: leftyman
whats the dog suddenly doing?

Yeah, at that age with a sudden change in behavior, I would definitely recommend a trip to the vet.

Ditto.

 

[MedicBob]

Do not use the crate as punishment. Go to the vet and tell us what is wrong.

 

[hjo3]

My dog, who's 12, started having "accidents" (urination) in the house suddenly last year. My dad (who's a vet) gave me some antibiotics for her, suspecting a urinary infection. Two or three days into the treatment she stopped making messes.

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: leftyman
whats the dog suddenly doing?

Yeah, at that age with a sudden change in behavior, I would definitely recommend a trip to the vet.

I agree.

 

[Rastus]

Sounds like a medical condition to me.

Crate training a dog at 11 is going to be a very nerve racking proposition.

 

[Atheus]

My retriever is 12, and far from becoming stupid or disobedient, he basically now acts like a loyal friend. He'll walk to heel without a lead and without being told, he fetches things I want, sometimes I think he understands English...

 

[AbAbber2k]

My vizla is going to be 14 in May. He's still doing good, but I swear to god I think he has prostate problems. He has to pee like every 20 min. Fortunately he still goes to the door and barks and doesn't just let it go all over the house. No behavioral problems, though he does have these short nervous fits occasionally where he'll try and hide under beds or in closets. Will be sad to see him go when the time comes.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: leftyman
whats the dog suddenly doing?

Yeah, at that age with a sudden change in behavior, I would definitely recommend a trip to the vet.

It's not just accidents - and it's behavioral, not medical. There've been a lot of changes for him over the last 5 or so years, including:

> I got married and moved ~5 years ago
> My wife had (has) a dog too, so it's a 2-dog house. He's the alpha of the two.
> We had a kid who's now 3. We have another one coming in late April.
> We moved again July 06, into a larger house with more yard - lost the aggressive neighbor dog and gained a radio fence.

In the last ~3-4 months, he's really become a problem when the two dogs are left alone int he house. He's now:

> Pulling things off the kitchen counters he's traditionally left alone.
> Eating paper. Toilet paper's his favorite, but if he can't get that he'll do mail, papers from my office or my wife's office. This is a new habit. I think he's chewed lightly on envelopes twice before in his life - and that was a LONG time ago.
> Eating my daughter's toys - mostly just the edible-ish stuff... playdoh, markets, etc. The toys haven't changed, but now he's eating them.
> The dogs now eat in the garage instead of the kitchen. If he's left out there too long (like 2 minutes after he's done eating) he's marking things, which he's NEVER done inside.
> He's crapping inside, after being let out. This is also brand new.

None of this happens when we're in the house. As *soon* as we leave, he'll start on this stuff. I can make a sub-15 minute trip to the corner grocery store and often he'll have done something by the time I get back. Honestly, I'm afraid he's going to get into something that will harm him.

So, suggestions are welcome, but I'm relatively set on a crate - at least temporarily.

 

[KarenMarie]

Sounds to me like he is upset over all the changes in his life and needs extra attention and reassurance.

poor thing.

 

[nakedfrog]

It could still be some sort of actual medical problem... something in his brain or something.
But no, I have no idea where you can find a cheap crate, other than used on craigslist. I can't even find one big enough for my dog, but at least he doesn't need one any more.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Sounds to me like he is upset over all the changes in his life and needs extra attention and reassurance.

poor thing.

Probably - and I've been giving him extra attention and play time - but it doesn't seem to be helping.

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
It could still be some sort of actual medical problem... something in his brain or something.
But no, I have no idea where you can find a cheap crate, other than used on craigslist. I can't even find one big enough for my dog, but at least he doesn't need one any more.

He hasn't seen the vet since November (maybe a month into this) but this stuff ONLY happens when he and the other dog are alone in the house. And yes, I'm sure it's him.

 

[djheater]

You should at least admit the possibility that the sudden dramtaic behavioral change could be medical, and possibly exposure to a toxin.

Behavioral changes like that could be associated with lead exposure and the like... you might consider a round of tests as investments in your daughters safety.

 

[Izzo]

Ryan's Pet supplies usually has pretty good prices.

 

[pmark]

check out PetEdge. It is a costco for pet supplies.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: djheater
You should at least admit the possibility that the sudden dramtaic behavioral change could be medical, and possibly exposure to a toxin.

Behavioral changes like that could be associated with lead exposure and the like... you might consider a round of tests as investments in your daughters safety.

Good point, and at least worth a test. I'm leaning away from that only becasue this behavior is completely isolated to times when the rest of the family (except dog #2) not there.

 

[compman25]

eBay. We got our large size crate for $40.

 

[Kelemvor]

If you don't already, watch some episodes of the Dog Whisperer. That guy is freaking amazing with every dog he's seen.

Natioanl Geographic link:
http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/

Official Site:
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

And if you still get one and you ever travel, get one that collapses.

Best prices I see on things like that are at Home Improvement stores or places like Fleet Farm. Stay away from actual Pet Stores or you'll get reamed.

 

[huberm]

i had a problem like this once. The vet suggested it was separation anxiety. I got these toys at PetSmart that you put treats in the middle and a hard exterior they have to chew through to get to it. It takes my dog about 6hrs to get to the treats, so it pretty much keeps her occupied all day. I highly recommend trying something like this.

You can also get Kong toys, but they don't last nearly as long.

 

[Smartazz]

That's odd, I've got the same problem with my dog. I guess this is common.

 

[SonnyDaze]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Sounds to me like he is upset over all the changes in his life and needs extra attention and reassurance.

poor thing.

Probably - and I've been giving him extra attention and play time - but it doesn't seem to be helping.

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
If you don't already, watch some episodes of the Dog Whisperer. That guy is freaking amazing with every dog he's seen.

Good points. FWIW, I have 3 dogs, A MinPin (oldest), Lab/Retreiver Mix (she's 4) and a Lab (she's 2). I had problems with both my Labs when adjustments were made to their lifestyles (i.e dominance, pack status, etc.) The deficating in the house and chewing on things can be a sign of attention deprivation (in the dogs mind). Also if he is chewing personal belongings (your daughters things) that can be a sign of separation anxiety.
Both of my Labs have had this type of behavior when they were younger or when I introduced another to "the pack" (and dogs see the family as part for their pack).
Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer guy) has a pretty good book out called Cesar's Way and it is very informative on the way dogs think and how to train/deal with their problems. Might be worth looking into. And as others have said, I wouldn't rule out a medical condition at that age (11 years....). so a trip to the vet may be worth while.

 

[OrByte]

Trying to crate train a 12 year old dog sounds like a recipe for disaster.

imho.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: rivan
So I need to crate my almost 11-year old lab. I don't want to do it, but he's just not responding to other training.

shame on you.