Kennel Crying!

[Boozgo]

First timer here Hi! Have a almost 1yro Doberman. I work from home so he's kenneled during the day while I'm working, he's let out every couple hours and once my work day is done he's out of the kennel for the rest of the day/night until it's time for bed. I also take him out for breaks throughout the day for potty, feeding time etc.. He also sleeps in kennel overnight, so first thing in early morning hours he's let out to go potty. Since we started the kennel we have never had an issue with his behavior up until a few days ago when we bring him back in before I start work day he has started crying, whining constantly the first time he did this it was all day!! and it has not changed, this seems to be his new norm now. I here that sometimes dobermans at certain ages will revert back to bad behavior even though they have been trained could this be a phase or will I have to succumb to my Dobe dictating the rules to me!! Lol Suggestions or thoughts please

 

[Ravenbird]

or will I have to succumb to my Dobe dictating the rules to me!! Lol Suggestions or thoughts please

He can only win with the dictating if you obey him. So, in other words, only open the kennel when he's being quiet. It's really hard, but really the only way to deal with it. It's frustrating when they are doing well and then revert to protesting.

That said, has he been quiet all his life and this suddenly started at almost a year old? That's odd to me, most times they are much younger when they start and are learning to stop by this age. Review you past few days to see if anything different is happened in your routine. Also at this age he should be able to obey a "go lie down" command to not bother you while you work, yet not be kenneled at least for short periods so he learns that he can be free but only if he is quiet. Being out of the kennel should not equal being crazy and playing and bugging you. This might not work if you have small kids and can't keep an eye on him or other safety issues. Just thoughts.

Welcome to Doberman Chat - would love to see pictures of your boy!

 

[Boozgo]

He can only win with the dictating if you obey him. So, in other words, only open the kennel when he's being quiet. It's really hard, but really the only way to deal with it. It's frustrating when they are doing well and then revert to protesting.

That said, has he been quiet all his life and this suddenly started at almost a year old? That's odd to me, most times they are much younger when they start and are learning to stop by this age. Review you past few days to see if anything different is happened in your routine. Also at this age he should be able to obey a "go lie down" command to not bother you while you work, yet not be kenneled at least for short periods so he learns that he can be free but only if he is quiet. Being out of the kennel should not equal being crazy and playing and bugging you. This might not work if you have small kids and can't keep an eye on him or other safety issues. Just thoughts.

Welcome to Doberman Chat - would love to see pictures of your boy!

That is what has us puzzled, he has never had an issue being in his kennel always excellent behavior. We thought the same, as he got a little older it would be easier. Since I'm the only one home during the day he and I have established a routine we do the same thing every day, even right down to how I communicate with him LoL. That is my concern while I'm working he'll think oh boy it's time to run the house and play! lol I would love to have him in the same room with me so maybe it's time I start that transition a little at a time so he gets used to a different routine. Appreciate the feedback Thank you!!

 

[JanS]

I don't really have anything to add but I wanted to say welcome.

I try to stick to a routine myself but they do need to learn to accept it if there is a change in the routine, which sometimes just happens.

 

[Rits]

What @Ravenbird said about not letting him out except when he is quiet.

Sounds like he is incredibly bored. As they age, their energy and mental needs go up more than when they were a puppy. Are you able to work in a short training session in the morning before work? Or feed his breakfast with a puzzle feeder? Someway to work his brain a bit. If he's been in his kennel all night then in the morning only out to potty and breakfast and back in his kennel, that can be hard for a young dog when they have a lot of energy built up.

I would also try to start teaching him to place or settle on a designated bed for while you are working. He is old enough to start doing this. Have a bed or raised bed that he is allowed to do anything he wants, as long as he stays on that bed. Stand up, turn around, sit, lay down. etc. Start by teaching him "place" lure him over the bed with a treat, mark "yes" for a good boy and feed the treat when his feet are on the bed. Keep doing this over many repetitions. Next add some duration, take a step back while he is on the bed. If he follows you, help him back to the bed with a "place" and tell him good boy, take one step back. If he stays "yes!" and feed a treat. Gradually work your way until you can sit down and he stays in his place. ALWAYS reward him ANY time you see him on his place any other time throughout the day.

 

[MyBuddy]

That is my concern while I'm working he'll think oh boy it's time to run the house and play! lol I would love to have him in the same room with me so maybe it's time I start that transition a little at a time so he gets used to a different routine

That's what I would suggest. I work from home too and with my last Doberman and now with Annie who is 5 months old, I just close them in my office with me. Give them a bed and a toy or bully stick and get your work done! They really want to be with us! So just having him in the room with you may help. He may be content and just go to sleep. If not, and he begins to be a little obnoxious he may need some exercise. Boredom with energy to spare will make for a naughty dog.

 

[remy]

I would take him for a nice walk (or some other form of exercise) before he goes into the crate. If you have time, I also recommend doing some training using his breakfast. More often than not my dog will go back to sleep after doing this. Make sure he’s gone to the bathroom too so you can be sure that’s not why he’s whining. If he likes things like benebones you can put one in the crate so he has something to chew if/when he gets bored.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Lots of great ideas up there! I agree that he sounds bored. At this age, keeping him crated for so long is like trying to tell a bomb not to explode

the first time he did this it was all day!!

They are definitely committed

will I have to succumb to my Dobe dictating the rules to me!!

Eventually yes But not right now while he's still maturing hah. Once the pack structure is established for years, then you can start to relax a tiny bit.

dobermans at certain ages will revert back to bad behavior

Yes, this can happen before maturity kicks in. For males, this is around 3, maybe 4 years old. Sometimes they will test the waters even after, so you have to keep an eye out for any regression in behavior.

That is my concern while I'm working he'll think oh boy it's time to run the house and play!

During the pandemic we also had this panic because suddenly I was home full time too. My hb was already with him all day. Thank goodness he was already a mature dog by then, because he adjusted wonderfully. He wouldn't bother me while working. Of course, by then he was also great at reading minds, so he would know when I wasn't working and he'd try to get my attention. I was careful to never give in during those moments and I also don't let him approach me while at my desk. This comes in handy because then I don't have to worry him touching anything on my desk.

 

[Ddski5]

Prob already stated but you have to be careful here. Wait ~3-5mins of him not whining before you let him out. You absolutely cannot reward whining and crying.

Lots of great advice up there^^^^.

 

[Boozgo]

A variety of advice and ideas, but they all seem to be on the same page this is all very helpful Thank you all so much!!

 

[Boozgo]

I don't really have anything to add but I wanted to say welcome.

I try to stick to a routine myself but they do need to learn to accept it if there is a change in the routine, which sometimes just happens.

Thank you! There is so much to read here! all of it is very helpful and informative.

 

[Kswoodssue]

We work from home. It was maybe that age that Sasha started to be allowed freedom in my workspace. Since turning 2, she can be better trusted in my husband’s woodworking shop with him as well. You might find keeping her crate in your workspace with the door left open works well, starting after a period of good behavior. Sasha has adapted her schedule to ours overall, but she never hesitates to push boundaries. Good luck!

 

[Ravenbird]

You might find keeping her crate in your workspace with the door left open works well,

This also helps the pup learn self-control (the door is open, but the best choice is to stay inside the crate) and at 10 - 12 months plenty old enough to understand that "you can stay in the room as long as you stay on the bed".