[Sarah]

Forgot my 3rd question:

is it bad to leave the crate covered in the day when pup is inside? He settles very nicely and naps between outs when he is crated and covered. When I uncover it he never settles, barks and whines and is very ‘turned on’ noisily playing with toys etc. He is out of the crate either every hour or every hour and a half for 10-15 minutes except his longer walk.

[Ed]

I hope others will jump in. On #1… is it practical to try a different route/schedule. If the other dogs were on leash at least you can try to be snobbish and say out loud “we do not play with other dogs” LOL. On #2 Robert says “enjoy your puppy”. On #3 since day one I never even looked at the crate when my pup was whining, it seems to have worked, for the most part. But again, dogs have different personalities and drives, and mine is a rottie, not a mal. If you have a dog shipping crate handy (as opposed to a wire crate) I would try that. Is there a place he protests less? Like what if you put the crate in the living room while watching (and perhaps not being able to hear) TV or reading a book, perhaps try that. it is one those “enjoy the pain” type mindsets… LOL. If you are working at the computer and place the crate next to you while you work, perhaps try that. Hope is somehow helps a bit.

[Gene]

So #3, Ed is correct. The crate is his time out as well as yours. Turn up the TV. However, if you feel it may be too much for him I MIGHT cover top and one side if you think it makes him more comfortable. You indicated “toys”, one bone or a kong that is it. The crate is where he goes to do nothing.

#2) 3 to 4… 10/15 minutes is fine. You indicated that you are doing fetch and tug, that is his walk. I would cut back on the tug/fetch or the walk. I’m thinking 1/2 hour close to a mile, I think too much.

#1) You are probably not going to “train” the owners. If you think there are just too many dogs running around sometimes you just have to get in your car and take a short drive and get in a more calm environment. However, I might use the walk to socialize rather than train. This is just my two cents, but you indicated that you live in a dog dense/friendly area. If I know my dog wants to play and you know which dogs in your area are well balance/socialized I would let them have at it, especially if the owner is into it. Rule of thumb 10 to 15 minutes of play fighting, jumping around etc equals 1hr walk.

[Sarah]

Thank you for the replies Ed and Takoda! A couple of followup questions (with some clarifications):

For #1, I’m currently in the UK and don’t have a car (everything is within walking distance or public transport). I’m originally from the States and moving back in a few years (I believe Robert is USA based? I’m not sure where most members are based). Offleash culture in my town is totally different from the States where I grew up. People see dogs that can’t be offleash as the problem. I got told off by someone for not letting my dog walk up to his (snarling and cowering behind his legs) doodle the other day. Usually shouting ‘unfriendly’ or ‘leash your dog’ from a distance is acceptable, unfortunately with the dramatic rise in lockdown puppies under 6 months and owners who can’t physically hold onto them even leashed its just a bit of a free for all. To be fair, every dog that has approached is friendly. Maybe I should relax for now, let him play and be social and work on stricter focus and obedience when he’s older? I just don’t want him yanking away from me everytime he sees a dog.

#2, is that 3-4 ten to fifteen minute breaks (walks/plays/whatever) the extent of time out of crate for him? That’s more or less what he was doing while waiting for vaccine completion and it really didn’t suit him. He was FAR nippier and unfocussed out of the crate. Does that rule flatly apply to all dogs/dog breeds even working pups? Could I say, do more frequent (7-8) ten to fifteen minute walks so it isn’t too much at one time and he can remain having fun/training/learning? [does this differ if it’s going to be a working animal? e.g. going everywhere with me? I’ve been having him out longer periods once or twice a week say, to practice going on the bus or to campus].

#3: this is where he becomes the odd dog out because every advice I see about dogs not liking crate is because they don’t like when owners leave the room/they aren’t involved. He actually doesn’t mind at all when he is away from the household. When he was in my room he would nap quite happily uncovered and all. When I moved him downstairs (to try to adjust him to settling in the living room) he ONLY naps/settles if we all leave or if he is completely covered. I should have clarified toys; he gets one teething ring in crate at all times (he is teething atm and gnaws on it) plus one of a variety of kong toys with a frozen treat after training (plus or minus frozen towels depending on how his teeth are). I knew they were potentially very … chatty… dogs so my housemates and I have been ignoring his talking and watching tv, doing homework, (blasting music through noise cancelling headphones)… it’s more him that I’m worried about. He is calmer, less nippy and less frustrated when he gets his naps in. And he just isn’t doing that uncovered. It just isn’t a crate problem I’ve been able to find any info on, as most of what I can find deals with separation anxiety (which he doesn’t yet have).

Sorry this is so long and thank you so much for the advice <3 I cut his walk this morning down to ten minutes with a brief sprint home at the end (that he requested) and that ended on a really positive note for him so we’ll be trying cutting time down 🙂