A coworker's friend was giving away a nine month old Jack Russell and if they couldn't find a home they were going to take it to the Animal Shelter. Me, being the loving caring individual I am, took it in. I think I made a big mistake. They gave me a cage to put him in at night. The couple said that they put him in there at night. They lied. I put him in there last night and he yipped and whined and barked ALL NIGHT LONG. In the middle of the night I took him and his cage outside and put him in the garage. I couldn't take it anymore. I was in tears. They said he was housebroken. They lied. He's had "accidents" in the house four times in one day. I was in tears by the end of the night. I don't know what to do with him! He's a sweet dog, loves to play, and rides wonderfully in the car. He's so calm and peaceful. And as soon as you let him out, he's like a kid with ADHD. I don't know what to do. He needs to be in the cage at night because I don't want him having accidents all over the floor and he loves to chew and I dont want my furniture chewed up. Any advice?
Is putting his cage in your bedroom an option? Or maybe outside in the doorway by your bedroom? When my dog was a puppy, that's what I did. I think all dogs will cry the first few nights because they are scared and lonely. When Iput the cage in my bedroom, he stopped crying. After a few days of that, I put him and his cage in our washroom. The floor is tile and I put down some newspaper. I left the door to his cage open, but blocked the door to the room with a baby gate so he couldn't get out. He did well in there, and didn't cry. I also left a little clock radio on for him which helped. I hope maybe some of my ideas work for you. I've only had one dog (he's 5 now), so I'm not sure if this is the best advice, but it worked for me.
You can definatley train him...it will just take some time and patience. Sometimes animals -even if they are trained- will use the bathroom in the house if they are stressed or scared about their new enviorment. They have "puppy pads" which you can buy to help train him though. And def keep lots of chew toys around for him to munch on...might detour him from the furniture. As for the cage...I think more than likely he just wanted to be near you. When I cared for this dog once (i lived with the owner but was primary care giver to the dog) the owner would put him in a cage in the morning when he left for work because the dog had a habit of chewing things and such. The dog hated it and would cry and cry....so instead of the cage I would just allow him in the bedroom with me and he was fine. Maybe someone else will have some better advice....but good luck with him!
It takes some time to get a dog use to being crated. Once they are use to it they begin to see the crate as thier own room. My dog often hangs out in her crate and sleeps even if the door is open. It is also common that if the crate is moved to a new location that can make them upset and cause them to cry for awhile untill they get use to it again. (Some dogs not all.) As for housebreaking... It is often the case that the dog needs to get use to both the new place and a new schedule. Jack Russels are known for being a handful and I have heard stories that they will act up if they are put into new situations, both out of insecurity and as a way to test their new boundries.
I have one, named Trouble (and he's not) and there is not a sweeter, more intelligent dog. You will love him, trust me! Mine sleeps with me at night - so I don't know what to tell you about bedtime. I do know people that use the cage for bedtime and it works good for them. When we first got him, we kept him in the laundry room when we were out. Then after he was past the chewing stage we started leaving him out during the day and he does good. Potty training is a chore, but you will get it - use those pads the other poster mentioned - they are great. The puppy is probably stressed from getting a new family. They do have lots of restless energy. Mine LOVES the ball, any ball, any size. He jumps to catch and twists his little body like he's doing tricks. It took him about 5 minutes to learn fetch. You can do alot of ball throwing so that he runs and gets all that energy out. Get a soft ball and you can play fetch in the house, too. Is yours a short hair or wirey haired one? Mine is wirey haired. Trouble (see my gallery) is such a good dog - don't give up on yours! We got him his own puppy, too - Guinness, a mini dachshund.
Awww your dogs are adorable He's only just moved into your place, so is probably really unsettled. That's bound to cause a relapse and clinginess at night. Perhaps he'll just get comfortably settled and the problem will sort itself out. Never had a dog so can't be of much more help, hope it works out in the end.
