Outsmarting My New Puppy

[cabinetman]

So you wanted to train Max to bark to go outside and instead he trained you to go look for some electronic gizmo? Talking of "outsmarting".

Some dogs are hard to outsmart. I don't think I have succeeded...yet.

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[conwaygolfer]

Cabinetman, I used to think it was cruel to keep a dog in a crate for sleeping, etc. But a friend reminded me that originally they were "den" animals and they feel safe in their "den". Seems to make sense.

Conwaygolfer

[cabinetman]

Cabinetman, I used to think it was cruel to keep a dog in a crate for sleeping, etc. But a friend reminded me that originally they were "den" animals and they feel safe in their "den". Seems to make sense.

Conwaygolfer

It does make sense. But, he just came from a shelter/kennel where all the dogs were kept in "cages", and they all pooped in them. So, the theory that they don't do that where they sleep might not work out to be a viable solution.

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[Warren]

It's not that they won't where they live, it's that they'd rather not. Also, a shelter cage is much larger than the crate/kennel. The small kennel, just large enough for the dog to stand and turn around in is perfect for dogs left alone when the owners are working and away for long periods of time. This is particularly true for breeds having a need to protect their territory. A dog that has to hustle from one end of a house, up and down stairs to protect it's territory is more likely to be neurotic than the dog who only has to guard it's kennel. Your dog, if I remember correctly has the company of other dogs so this should not be an issue.

Back to house-breaking. An adult dog can usually manage to contain urine and poop for 8 to 10 hours or even longer. Pups cannot, the system is not fully formed or controlled. Insuring that they often have access to the out-doors when they are young creates the condition gerti mentioned. Every young dog needs to pee when it wakes from one of their many naps. The need to defecate usually is determined on when they eat and metabolism. Humans take in the neighborhood of 4 hours to digest meals on average. The new pup probably has a tough time napping as he doesn't want to miss what ever the other dogs are into so bladder control is probably not high on his list.

Your dog may not be a "barker" and will quickly find some other way of communicating with you. When I was a copper I had a German Shepherd that behaved like a Doberman, sneaky and stealthy. No barking, just a low growl and a commanding position. When company came over the first they'd know of the dog was when he gently took their wrist in his mouth as they stepped into the apartment. I didn't teach him this behavior. I attributed it to his humorous side, I really believe that he thought the peoples reaction was a hoot. And . . . it usually was. I never had a girl-friend who was comfortable when Sarge was in the apartment. I always kept the dog and found a new girl, but that's another story, a saga really.

So, give the pup time to develop his personality and style. I'm betting, since this ain't your first rodeo, that you're more frustrated than upset. The pup is also trying to fit in with the other critters, you and the other humans and is quite possibly a bit overwhelmed with all that is expected of him. Besides being extremely intelligent, and you already know this, Shepherds are extremely sensitive.

[cabinetman]

Update

The second driveway alert went back to HF yesterday. That one didn't work either. It was a Bunker Hill brand, which is a buncha bunk. Picked up this motion sensor from HD. It works great. It's set up about 10 feet from the door.

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[Sweet Willy]

The more I thought about your solution the more ingenious it became. And since our dogs learn very quickly how to train us I'm willing to bet that after awhile Max will make the alarm go off and then stand there waiting to be let out. At my house Willy comes to me and barks once and then stares at me. I know exactly what he wants. Emma will either go to the door and bark once, twice if I'm not there quick enough, or come to me wagging her nubbin of a tail and stare at me and I know exactly what she wants. They sure have me trained well. And man am I glad.
Good luck with Max and give him a treat on me.