Calm before the storm? Jake is being wierd....

Bethany0016

I took Friday off and we took Jake to Flagstaff (closest thing Az has to winter and mountains) for a two day, overnight trip. Jake did surprisingly fantastic on the ride out (and back). It is only 2 hours but considering it is a battle to go 5 minutes to PetSmart...

We didn't take the crate so he was free to roam the hotel room all night. Did GREAT with that, too. He has not been crated since Thursday night. And he is being so good. He has not had to go to timeout ONCE! Usually he has to go there at least 100 times a day. Right now he is sleeping in his bed at my feet. This is a first, EVER. Was the crate not meant for Jake or is this just the calm before the storm? Or is he depressed? Should I just enjoy the moment...??

kamfam · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject:

That's GREAT!!!

I think some just do well OUT of the crate. Kam for one! I stopped crating him just a few weeks after we got him and we've never had a problem.

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:07 pm Post subject:

With that said, how many of your belongings have been shredded or pee'd on? I have left him alone one time, a month or two ago, and he pee'd on a pillow on the couch...I think I put a post up about it...I was gone for maybe 10 minutes. What would be destroyed if I left for an hour? Anyway, the point is, I can part with things like that, but my boyfriend wont. If I can use someone else's experience, maybe that will help convince him Jake will do just fine without the crate (I have, actually, convinced my bf that the crate is the reason for "devil-dog" behavior).

kamfam · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject:

He's never shredded/chewed on anything (that I can recall, anyway). Never peed on furniture, either. Recently, one of the 2 peed in the living room (on the area rug, of course) but that's IT!!!

It's one of those things where you'll never know until you try!

I should add, Glacier's a 10yr old Samoyed who really has NO interest in tearing apart anything---too much work for such an old gal!

kamfam · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:45 pm Post subject:

How old is Jake?

Kam is 1 (15 mos to be exact). He's been uncrated since 11months-ish.

He used to bloody the bridge of his nose when he was in his crate. It would begin to heal over the weekend and then come monday, bang it open again. I just didn't want it to get infected or get worse, so I gave it a try, little bits at a time. I posted on here the first time we let him alone for SEVERAL hours---he did awesome.

They're all different---some just can't be trusted out of the crate, and others really do just fine.

KaspersMom · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject:

Kasper has been acting rather well behaved here lately as well. I think it is just something that comes with age...LOL

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

He is 8 months. Just a baby, still. He isn't destructive when we are here. Other than when he is trying to get attention and he grabs something he knows he can't have and brings it to one of us.

It just seems like we have a completely different dog! I know it has only been a couple days with no crate but what better time to try leaving him home alone than now? I even thought about clearing out the guest bedroom and trying in there but he hates that room so it might just be even worse.

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject:

kamfam · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Here's the thread I started when Kam made the long stretch:

http://www.weimaraneraddict.com/discussion/i-need-to-brag-vt5299.html

Maybe he's just trying to show you what a big boy he's becoming!!!

Bethany0016 · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject:

Looks like the bf has tomorrow off of work so I managed to convince him to leave for short periods of time and leave Jake out in the bedroom. I am scared but so excited for my little boy! I want him to do good!! Keep all fingers and paws crossed for us!!

And thank you for sending me the link to your forum! I made Sean read it and I think it really helped! I think Jake will be free to roam around soon!

DukesMom · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:57 am Post subject:

Good luck! After seeing the damage done on the "Weimaraner Crimes" thread I think I'll keep crating Duke for a LONG time. I also think that some dogs are just more destructive than others. I used to crate Duke when I took a shower, was doing dishes or any time I couldn't watch him. But for the last month or so I stopped doing this and he has been an angel. I even let him out of the crate in the middle of the night when he has to pee and go back to bed. He usually just curls up on the couch and sleeps or goes back in his crate. I have a Pug also that is ultra calm and I think he learns alot from her. But leave him out when I'm gone? NO WAY! I'm not ready for that!

Bethany0016 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject:

Must be nice to be able to sleep til 1pm. Rolling Eyes

But apparently Jake did very good when Sean was sleeping and then again when he went to the store (15 minute trip). I just have to remind myself that baby steps are probably safer at this point. But YAY for him being so good while his daddy slept in!