bea@alice.UucP (Bea Chambers) (12/13/85)
My standard poodle loves to stay in her outdoor run regardless of the weather. We thought we were doing her a favor and bought her a doghouse. She is afraid of it. She will go in part-way to get a treat but she refuses to go in all the way. I think the doghouse is more than big enough. Can anyone come up with some ideas to get her to use it? We have had it about 3 weeks and no change so far. I am having a puppy visit next week and I am sure the puppy will use it and I hope she might then try it too. Meanwhile, I am putting treats in there further and further back. She will take the treat but immediately back out. She is a 50 lb dog and the doghouse measures 25" x 36"L x 30" H.
cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner) (12/16/85)
Hi! What you are doing in terms of association of the treats with the doghouse is the accepted method to use, in most cases. The fact that she does go in to get the treat tells me that she is not that afraid of it but would rather avoid it. You don't write how old she is or how long she has been going out in the run. I would say that, probably, she is so used to "roughing it" that, in terms of reward, there is no motive for using it. The reasons that a dog will go in a doghouse are usually,in order, security and shelter from the elements. If she doesn't mind the elements, as you point out, and she is a basicly secure dog, it'll take longer. I would suggest that you continue working with the treats, for only a few times a day (and all the way back now), if she retrieves, toss a ball in and play a game with her, and one other thing: Work up a sweat, like after jogging or ___________ (you fill it in) and rub it around the inside of the structure. Since your smell is in it now, it will be more tempting to you. Good Luck! In article <4701@alice.UUCP> bea@alice.UucP (Bea Chambers) writes: >My standard poodle loves to stay in her outdoor run regardless of the weather. >We thought we were doing her a favor and bought her a doghouse. She is >afraid of it. She will go in part-way to get a treat but she refuses to go >in all the way. I think the doghouse is more than big enough. Can anyone come up >with some ideas to get her to use it? We have had it about 3 weeks and >no change so far. I am having a puppy visit next week and I am sure the >puppy will use it and I hope she might then try it too. Meanwhile, I am putting >treats in there further and further back. She will take the treat but immediately >back out. > >She is a 50 lb dog and the doghouse measures 25" x 36"L x 30" H. -- ============================================================================== Jeff Cushner @ Citicorp-TTI Santa Monica CA 90405 (213) 450-9111 x2273 {randvax,trwrb,vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner ********************************************************************* ** The above comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ** ** Citicorp-TTI and if the corporation wants them to, they'll have ** ** to pay through the nose for the rights! ** *********************************************************************
cushner@ttidcb.UUCP (Jeffrey Cushner) (12/16/85)
>Work up a sweat, like after jogging or ___________ (you fill it in) >and rub it around the inside of the structure. Since your smell is >in it now, it will be more tempting to you. Good Luck! --- (I meant it would be more tempting to HER!) [I certainly wouldn't be more tempted!] -- ============================================================================== Jeff Cushner @ Citicorp-TTI Santa Monica CA 90405 (213) 450-9111 x2273 {randvax,trwrb,vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcb!cushner ********************************************************************* ** The above comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ** ** Citicorp-TTI and if the corporation wants them to, they'll have ** ** to pay through the nose for the rights! ** *********************************************************************
rhc@ptsfa.UUCP (Robert Cohen) (12/17/85)
In article <4701@alice.UUCP>, bea@alice.UucP (Bea Chambers) writes: > My standard poodle loves to stay in her outdoor run regardless of the weather. > We thought we were doing her a favor and bought her a doghouse. She is > afraid of it. She will go in part-way to get a treat but she refuses to go > in all the way. I think the doghouse is more than big enough. Can anyone come up > with some ideas to get her to use it? We have had it about 3 weeks and > no change so far. >... Bea, If you receive any replies other than those posted, would you be kind enough to forward me a copy (or summarize for the net)? I just ordered a house for my 14 month old Lab, and Rosie wasn't at all anxious to try the one at the store. Loving water as much as she does, she's liable to play in the rain all day and never stay in her dog house if left to her own devices... As I say, don't know for sure if I'll have this problem, but feel it's a good possibility. Thanks, Robert -- Robert Cohen San Francisco, California {ihnp4,dual,qantel}!ptsfa!rhc
marauder@fluke.UUCP (Bill Landsborough) (12/18/85)
In article <4701@alice.UUCP> bea@alice.UucP (Bea Chambers) writes: >My standard poodle loves to stay in her outdoor run regardless of the weather. >We thought we were doing her a favor and bought her a doghouse. She is >afraid of it. She will go in part-way to get a treat but she refuses to go >in all the way. I think the doghouse is more than big enough. Can anyone come up >with some ideas to get her to use it? What I did when my Black Labrador was afraid of her dog house was crawl into it myself and called her in. It was of course a little crowded but once she learned that it was comfortable and warm she would go in with ease. I also put straw inside, lots of it so they (there are now two) burrow down and stay warm. I put a swinging door hinged from the top to keep out the draft and insulated the entire chamber with R-9 insulation and in the winter hang a trouble light inside for them to stay toasty warm. BOY do I have spoiled dogs!