puppyowner539

Dutch, thank you SO much for the suggestions, there's a few things here that I haven't tried yet. First of all, you don't come off as disrespectful at all! I don't think my original post was clear. What happened was last time I posted on a different board on reddit.com, and I didn't mention anything about giving him up, and people assumed I wanted to give him up. Then a lot of flaming ensued. So, I tried to make it clear that giving him up isn't an option. The first month with this pup has toughened me up and I am ready to deal with whatever comes at me. I just mentioned the roommate thing because I wanted to make it clear that it's something that's extra stressing me out, but I know I'm not going to give him up, not now or in the future. I also have my other two roommates spending time with him as well, it's just that third roommate. I usually go out of sight when I crate him unless I'm doing something in the kitchen. I'll try moving his crate to another area for these moments. I will also try that schedule you suggested, Dutch! Thank you again, your post was really thorough and kind.

Hi everyone! So, some background. My border collie is almost 4 months old, and his name is Ducky. For the most part, he's a really sweet dog and he's a softie, but there are some problems that I can't seem to figure out how to communicate with him about a couple things. We have been working on crate training since he got here at 8 weeks, and he was really good at being quiet in his crate. But now, after about one hour, he whines. Really loudly. For a really long time. I am assuming he wants something, so I take him out, but I wait for a moment of silence before I let him out. Then he just follows me around or counter surfs. He doesn't need to go pee or anything. Is it normal for him not to be able to handle more than an hour of crate time at this age? He was doing fine with it before. He doesn't dislike the crate, he still goes in when I say 'kennel.' He only whines a tiny bit when I shut the door at first, but then he calms down. I always put him in with a very special kong that he only gets in the crate. I've tried putting a towel over the crate, and that has only helped a little. He's capable of being in the crate at nighttime. I've tried letting him cry it out, but he goes on and on for an hour. I am capable of giving him 4-5 hours of exercise a day, and that's what I've been doing, which is a mix of exercise and mental training. We play hide and seek, tug of war, fetch, we go on walks, sometimes I will take him to the pet store because that really tires him out. When he is more tired, he's able to go in the crate and be in there for two hours, maybe a little more than that before he starts up again. I don't know how else to tire him out. I really, really need him to be able to be crated, because if I am not supervising him outside of his crate, he is getting into trouble. Destroying stuff, or going potty in the house. One of my roommates (who I am trying to not live with next year anyway) is being a pain about it, the whining, I mean. He was supportive of me getting a dog at first, but now once a behavior problem pops up, he's been giving me hell about it, and has been really passive aggressive. I also think Ducky might have a little bit of separation anxiety, if anyone has any tips on how to help him with that, that would be great! For the most part, he's great, and has absolutely changed my life. He makes me a better person. I want to keep him. I love him, he loves me. Giving him up would be really, really painful for both of us. My other two roommates are fine with all of it, and they love him, and help out with taking care of him. But the other roommate thing is a big problem. Sorry this was really long! Thanks in advance.