Need an Idea for the dogs...

[Ashley]

I have two kennels here. The Bostons share one, and then we have princess Mitzy and Princess Bella who share the other. NO I dont treat them like princesses but they sure do think they are.

Anyway, Bella the boxer, will not sleep in a kennel or anywhere else unless there is something soft to lay on. Both kennels normally have a blanket in them. However Miss Bella takes all the stuffing out of her blankets the very first day she gets them.

Is there anything I could give her that is soft that she cant destroy?

 

[Magic]

I don't know how practical it would be for *indoor* kennels, but straw works well for dogs that like to chew up everything else.

 

[Ashley]

Nope not for the house. However even if I wanted to it wouldnt be a good mix with a cocker spaniel, nor can I find straw around here

 

[Sixstardanes]

If you have any Costco stores near you they often carry very nice dog blankets that are a sort of embroidered fabric on one side and a fake lambskin on the other.

They don't have stuffing in them and are very durable.

We use them here with our Great Danes.

Even though they last for years and years with use and washings

we pick up more whenever we see them as they don't always have them in stock.

 

[mininik]

That must be one big kennel to fit a Boxer AND a Cocker Spaniel in it! Would it be possible to get the Boxer her own kennel, or put her up in a room with something to sleep on? Kenneling dogs together can be asking for trouble.

 

[Mona]

Shimmer has been VERY bad about that too! When I put her in her crate overnight, she is fine...never a problem, however, when we go somewhere and don't take the dogs, they are put in their crates. She will then chew apart her bedding. I have paid big money for nice quilted beds to but into their crates and she ruins them so they can no longer be used!

I have 2 options...I can muzzle her and leave the bedding in her crate, OR I can leave her without the muzzle and remove the bedding. I opted for taking the bedding out and not muzzling her. I think it was the kinder of the two evils.

 

[Ashley]

Bella has been with Mitzy since day one in the kennel. She isnt a very big boxer at only about 40 pounds and knee high. The cocker is only 18 pounds and very small herself. And yes it is a big kennel. Its the same size my friend has for her flat coats and Pointer. There is plenty of room. I would never put them in to small of a kennel.

I do have another kennel, but Bella will not sleep alone. She has been paired with Mitzy since a pup and the Bostons have shared there kennels since a pup. They are all open type kennels even then she howels and crys if left alone or even messes it.

I did give her just a sheet to lay on before. She lets us know several times a night what she thinks of it.

 

[Jill]

What about a bathroom rug? Or one of those dog beds like is suggested w/ the fleece on one side, and a quilted tapestry look on the other (not stuffed). Or maybe even one of those fleece blankets like they make with sports teams or animals on them? They are not filled but are like stuffed animal fabric.

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

i'm no help... my dogs have shredded everything i have given them OH!

 

[Boss Mare]

What about a fleece blanket?

Lots of toys.. or a kong?

Treats.. of all sorts.. chews, etc..

Perhaps house them different.

 

[nootka]

Our yellow lab mix loves my Arabian's old saddle blanket (one of the thick, soft, fleece types).

It's large enough to fill her large dog house, and there is no filling. It's about 3-4" thick.

Just an idea...

Liz

 

[River Wood]

I don't know how old your dog is but when I bought my puppy, the breeder where I purchased him from said, no bedding.

So we didn't and he's just fine. I figured she knew more than me,.... breeder judge owner professional handler for 35 years with excellent references and top dogs in the nation.

 

[Charley]

Some dogs are just too hot in their kennels to have bedding if the kennel is in a heated house. Especially with another dog in there it may be just too uncomfortable with bedding. My dog prefers to stretch out on the cool tile in the kitchen all the time.

 

[Ashley]

She wants the bedding in there. IF its not in there she howels, crys and scratches at the kennel all night.

She normally takes all the bedding on a pile and the cocker lays on the bottom. House is heated but its at about 65 at night and off during the day.

 

[River Wood]

She is getting what she wants ...getting it her way she howls and scratches all night and she gets it.

Many people complain too that their puppies won't sleep at night and howl and bark so their owners get up in the middle of the night to to let them out.

Trainers have told me to ignore that and NEVER ever get them in the habit of figuring out if they bark a guy comes running because it is a hard habit to break.

It was SOOO hard I felt guilty as heck but our pups quit crying during the night within a few days, everyone was happy and had a peaceful night. and for puppies, no toys and NO treats either in bed.

But everyone has their own way.

 

[Ashley]

I do need to sleep to. I am the only one that wakes up. Most of the time I do ignore her.

The only time they go out at night is when the cocker whines, but I know when she whines she needs to go out now or there will be a mess in the kennel.

She only whines with there isnt a blanket in there. And sorry but I am going to give her nothing to keep warm with in the winter. Summer fine, but not the winter.

 

[mininik]

"Most of the time I do ignore her."

That's called variable reinforcement, and it works like a gambler's addiction. The dog keeps whining because she thinks there is a chance you will come give her attention (even if it's negative) and so far she's been right. To break the cycle you MUST STOP going to her if she is whining. There will likely be an extinction burst in which she'll cry more until she figures out that whining is not going to work anymore, just as you would eventually stop knocking on a door if no one ever answered. If your other dog needs to go out when she whines you are going to have to house them separately to be able to go to her when she needs it and not reward the other whining dog with your presence.

As far as a dog "needing" bedding, well, that problem could also be solved with separate kennels.

 

[Ashley]

The one that needs the bedding is the one that eats it. When I let one out, I let them all out. When she whines she gets ignored, however when she barks constantly I let them out to potty then right back to bed. She doesnt get attention(and if I take my sleeping medicine they dont go out as I sleep through it).

Thanks for the input..........I will figure out something one my own thanks.