Quick question on crate training our shelter dogs...

So I got two crates for our two dogs. They are both shelter dogs. One was a surrender, about 2 years old, who is confident and well-adjusted, the other is a stray, about 18 months old, who was possibly abused or may be a puppy mill dog. The surrender dog is dominant over the other dog. I put the crates up today and the dominant dog has slept in both of them (doors open). The timid dog is happy to eat in his crate, stick his head in, and observe it, but has not settled in to either one.

I don't want the timid dog to get the idea that both of the crates belong to the dominant dog. Should I keep the dominant dog out of one of the crates?

dogs do dog stuff. If it comes to a point that they are dominating each other it means, to me, that you are not being the bossman.

If dominate simply means me first, thats different. If it comes to blows though...

Usually dogs will sort it out.

Oh.. I don't dig the "rescue dog" term.

Like I said.. don't listen to me :)

:P

Because they are both in their crates now. So it's a non-issue.

What "rescue dog" term don't you like?

I meant the "shelter dog" thing. Nevermind hehe. You are on the task and doing well.

:hug:

can go in either one.

I'd keep the dominant dog out of one of the crates. *I* am the boss. I have set aside one crate for each dog. I determine which dog goes in which crate, and I won't have the beta dog feel uncomfortable or unsettled in his/her den (crate). If the dominant dog is going to be alpha over the other, that's fine in regards to furniture or toys or other common areas or things. In regards to things that I give them (space, food, etc) there is no second guessing me. It helps the submissive dog have confidence and causes both dogs to have confidence in me as pack leader.

I meant to say what you said when I tried to say it a few posts up. I blame beer :D

:hi:

regardless of what goes on the rest of the time. He/she will eventually see it as a secure, safe place, even if the dominant dog goes in there a lot during the day.

My dogs are both crate trained, and both still like to nap in them. However, it's not unusual to see both in one, or each of them in each other's crates.

Puppy mill dogs can be harder to crate train. I was talking to a local breeder about this recently, and he said that "mill" puppies are often kept in cages with wire floors. They are never let out, so when they urinate/defecate, it just falls down through the wire. The problem with that is that they never learn that it's not desirable to do their business where they sleep.

Good luck with your companions!

Fortunately, both dogs are housetrained. We got the crates to help them both be more comfortable and so we can put them in the crates when we're out of the house. The dog room is also the computer room; I don't need them eating my computer.

I became a fan of crate training when I saw how much they like being in there. Once trained, I just leave the crates with the doors open so they can use them when they want.

soon as I put it up. The other dog was a little leery of it, but by the time I went to bed, he had curled up in the other crate and gone to sleep. I think it will make him feel more secure to have his own place.

I just walked into the other room, and found both of mine sleeping together in the same crate!

Only had one dog at a time. German Shepherds.
You do definitely have to establish yourself as the Alpha.
Things can really get out of hand if you don't, especially with larger dogs.

We only had a problem with one dog, and he was the only one we had who was obedience bred as opposed to confirmation bred.
Think working dog as opposed to beauty contest dog.

BTW, the obedience bred dog was the smartest out of the 5 Shepherds we've had, by far. Just phenomenal what he could figure out and do.

My 'bible' is "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" by The Monks of New Skete (NY).
http://www.newsketemonks.com/dogs.htm

It is absolutely the best book I've ever read about training and working with dogs. Especially the psychology of pack animals and how that works with your family.

Best of luck with your new 'family'.
:-)

picked each other as packmates, you know? They are doing much better now than the first week or so. We actually don't have dominance issues (was it something I wrote in the OP that makes people think we do?) -- I just wasn't sure if they absolutely had to have their own crate. I'm at home most of the day with them anyway, and they definitely see me as the boss, not Mr. Ogneopasno.