Crate Question

I have a crating questions, its more general interest because I dont crate my 8 month old JRT. Our dog is nuts when we get home. After a few minutes of mauling us at the door, she eats, after eating she goes out and runs about 30 laps at top speed around the yard! and if at any point she gets access to the basement she will do the same.

Well the other day while watching this craziness, my DH and I started talking about how she is like a caged animal yet she has a good portion of the house to run around in all day. So we both jsut said can you imagine if we crated her during the day? I know she plays around the house all day with her toys, her bed, anything. But yet she is a mad woman when we come home!

So basically I was just wondering if your dog is out of control when you come home? And do the calm down pretty quickly or are they really hyper from the time you get home until you go to bed? Also do you use just a crate or the x-pen as well?

We use a crate and an ex-pen, and I'm actually suprised my dog is not more nuts when I come home. He's always just laying down, looking up at me with his little tail wagging when I walk in the kitchen. He follows me around the house while I get changed and then we go outside. We usually spend an hour or so outside -- sometimes in and out of the depending on what's going on. Some nights he needs another round of zoomies around 8:30 and he's in bed by 9:30. We try to take him to the dog park a couple of times a week, which really seems to help even out his energy level and keep him better behaved.

Even though your dog is not in a crate, she's probably not getting much exercise while you're away, so she still has a lot of energy to burn when you come home.

I am not questioning my dogs behavior, I know why she is nuts, it genetic!

I have had 5 dogs in my life and none have been crated, but I have always had very hyper breeds, JRT, Dalmatian etc. So I dont question that!

This was really out of curiousity. My dad and brother were over today and they were laughing at how crazy she gets, but this is all the time!

So I was just wondering if this is how she is, I wondered how dogs that dont have her freedom during the day react.

Its interesting to hear. Thanks!

I have a JTR... he is just about 1 1/2 years old and we crate him every day. If we don't, he gets into quite a few things. He is very excited when we get home but every dog I have had has been like that. I think with the Jacks, you notice it more because they like to jump so much. When we get home, he likes to go out and both our dogs play. They tend to play hide and go seek which requires a lot of running around.

Ollie seems to not really mind the crate. He has his toys in there and his food and bed. He goes in without a problem and doesn't cry. I don't know if any of this has helped you though.

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Posted by shamrock12472

I don't know if any of this has helped you though.

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It did just because I was curious. Our dog is a mix and I am not sure with what but I think it has tamed her alittle! She is not quite as nuts as I have heard most JRTs are. We are lucky I dont have to worry about her during the day, the most she does now is lay on the couch which she knows she is not allowed to do! But thats about it so I have no reason to crate. It was just a curiousity question. So thank you!