Are grape vines poisonous? - Page 2

also a long list of trees and green plants that are very poisonous.......mistletoe...oleanders, philadandren, and many more...someone post the link   Im too tired to look for..it......

All of these reasons listed above are why it is important to have a safe kennel for your puppy.  Then your clothes and your remote and the grape vines are not being chewed up and destroyed

I used to think kennels were mean, and cruel until my puppy ruined my backyard!  Now I have kennels, for both of my dogs, and I know when I come home from work everyday that my dogs are going to be safe and home, not running down the street, or digging huge holes in my yard, or eating poisonous whatever.

Just a bit of advice.  A $500.00 kennel can save you several thousands of dollars in vet bills!  Prefiert kennels are inexpensive, and can be moved easily!  They can be locked so if you have a young pup, you can feel a bit safer knowing that someone can't just come by easily and let him out or take him away. ~ Kari

AMEN TO THE KENNELS......I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE ON THIS SITE,,ARE NOT KENNELING THEIR PUPS....OR DOGS....NO NEED TO BE RUNNING DOWN FENCE LINE....STARTING A BAD HABIT., ALSO.....HABITS ARE NOT BROKEN AND WHY LET THEM DO IT....YOU DONT PUT A BABY HUMAN IN A BACK YARD ALONE.....

YOU TAKE THE SITUATION AWAY FROM THE PUP    OR TAKE THE PUP OUT OF THE SITUATION..

DONT PUT HIM IN THE SITUATION TO BEGIN WITH....FIRST THING MY MENTOR TAUGHT ME  ...

A WELL TRAINED AND BEHAVED SHEPHERD MUST BE KENNELED AT ALL TIMES UNLESS YOU ARE THE CENTER OF HIS INTENTIONS,,,,,FOR THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH HIM.....THE REST OF THE TIME UNTIL HE IS TWO   AND FULLY OBED AND TRAINED IN MANNERS, HIS KENNEL IS HIS THRONE...AND THEY LOVE THEIR KENNELS....ALSO.....

Thank you for the advice, I do appreciate it.  My situation is a little different though, Drake is kept in the house.  He only goes out to potty and excercise, never in the yard alone for more than 10 minutes and NEVER if I'm not at home. My property is kind of isolated with only a small ranch next door that is a Beauty Shop for my neighbor (in the basement), their house is next to that one on the other side of 3 acres. She rents the ranch but it has been unoccupied for over a year.  I also live on the fringes of a not so well to do neighborhood and want my dog to show his presence if anyone nears my property or just to let them see that he is here.  The fence line can easily be seen from the driveway.  I have almost 2 acres and my house sits on top of a hill, can't see a street from the house.  My driveway is like a small road so anyone coming, I have advanced notice.  He is crated inside when needed but to kennel him outdoors I really don't think is necessary, maybe I'm wrong and if so I'm sure I'll hear it, that's fine since I'm the one asking advice.  My skin is pretty thick so fire away, LOL.   I have a very large fenced area (more than 1/4 acre) made specifically for the dogs.  I do spend time with him in the yard playing and training but I also believe he needs some "free time", which is when he attacks the trees and now the grape vines.  I also have two small Border Terriers and they pretty much have the run of the yard, which is another reason I keep closer tabs on Drake.  Of course, being terriers, they are high drive and very excitable and if I leave him out with them he thinks they are his toys and he will torment them.  I usually let them out, bring them in and then let him out, only all out when I'm with them.  I could now only let him out when I'm with him as opposed to getting a kennel.

Go for it, I'm ready.

Cindi

I still think a kennel is a must have for any dog that you love.  If someone is going to break into your house when you are not home, and they really really want whatever is in the house, they will kill your dog and take what they want.  I would rather replace my TV and such over my dog any day.

My dogs live in the house and are only outside when I am at work.  During this time they are in their kennels.  The barking still tempts people I am sure, my own landscapers won't even come in my yard when the dogs are out even though they  know they are in kennels, the dogs go crazy enough I think the landscapers think the dogs can still get out!

I don't see anything wrong with leaving a dog to play outside for a little bit, but you still have to be careful, one chewed piece of stick swallowed can cost you a HUGE vet bill, and I prefer to keep my backyard grass nice and green without dog holes in it!  I have found my dogs prefer to be where I am anyway.

When they are in a kennel, at least a 5x10 you can feel much better about staying at work for that extra hour or two if need be, the dog is not in a little crate in the house, and if they really have to go to the bathroom, they can, and they can move around throughout the day.

My dogs are my children, and I feel much more at ease everyday knowing they are in a kennel when I leave them and they will be safe until I return home.  Dogs can jump high fences, and I would never leave a dog alone in a fenced yard, but that is just me.  I have seen too many dogs jump and climb over an 8 foot fence let alone a standard 6 foot fence!

In the house only my young male is in a crate at bedtime, just because I don't trust him to not eat the house apart while I sleep, but my female is my protector.  She does a wonderful job, and most everyone in my neighborhood knows I have two BIG GSDs and they don't even come to my house to sell cookies!

KariM: I have the same routine and always have instructed every puppy buyer,,,,Until a pup is two years old and has very good obedience and manners   ,,,,the kennel is the must....it is solice and protection and the right way to imprint and train.....freedom in a  home or yard has brought many a sad story of health and harm to a german shepherd...they eat the wrong plant, dig holes, tear up valuable chairs and personal belongings,  tear up toys, screen doors, water hoses etc,,,the list is long...some of these things are swallowed and some are harmful and poisonous....

It us bit cruel and yes as soon as you have time, take your pup out alot..and play with it and take it places after shots....but to just let out unattended is not good.....you may think it is , but all behavioural problems arrive from this freedom......kids turned loose in a dry goods store is a nightmare every retail clerk knows well....same with your pup   he can mess up and destroy your home, kids toys  etc....and bad habits are born this way......a very good trainer told me from the beginning.....the habit not learned is a habit one doesnt have to break or spend days trying to correct....

after your dog is obedience and manners very well trained...then the kennel is his sleep place, with door open.....and only when needed is he put in kennel...You have to kennel if another dog needs  let out ,or some one that is afraid of dogs or someone that doesnt like dogs come to your domain...kennel is important....

Dogs will drink the dirtest water out of the nastiest hole or dish or tub , and eat the nastiest junk on the ground when a water bowl and food is in place...

It like   kid proof house.....same thing     dog proof your house and yard,,,,

Imy kennel !

Thank you both for your detailed posts on this subject, and without tearing into me.  I do understand the importance of keeping a close eye on him and although he does "steal" things, he usually doesn't have them long enough to do any damage.  In total, in the five months he's been with me, he has chewed the strap on a pair of sandals and destroyed 2 bras.  While he was teething he also chewed the edge of my hubby's chest of drawers.  He has taken the remotes but has never had them long enough to destroy them.  He steals clothes but just takes them, doesn't chew them.  If I'm in my closet he sometimes comes in to "take inventory" and attempts to take a slipper or shoe but is quickly shooed out the door.  I patrol the yard three times daily for poop and any alien objects.  I am not working at the moment but should be back in the swing within the next two weeks so I'm home with him all day for now.  I take him with me where ever and whenever it's possible.  I won't take him if there's a possibility I'd have to leave him in the car alone for more than a minute. 

All of this being said, I'm coming around to your way of thinking about the kennel.  I think he would probably be happier, and safer, in a larger space when I'm not at home, able to potty when need be, have fresh air and not look at the four walls in the room with the crate.  He does not like to be alone, will bark to come in to be with me when he's done with his business usually, unless he sees a squirrel or ground hog or any of the variety of animals around the yard. So, I would have to get him used to it gradually in order to not create a nuisance.  Although no neighbors are really close, his barking would still be heard.  When I get back to work I will start to save for a kennel.  I may need advice once it's here and I'm sure you'll be willing and able to offer it.  Thank you.

No problem But fair warning   because you did not start him in a kennel at day one when you got him ,,yours will be a noisey , hard feelings to do,one task     He will have to learn the hard way.......start the sit in front of it or sit anytime you go outside and get him use to a treat, when yu put him into the kennel.....shut the door , give him a cow hoof to chew on , or a round steak bone, or fresh meat knuckle bone,,,no store bought bones,,,,,bad new,s,,read other threads about the bones.......

Your pup will throw many a screaming fit , just turn your back on go do your thing........only let him out if not screaming.....he will soon like his kennel    you may not like this , but have to.do it........tough love.........walk away  and as long as you know he doesnt need to potty......leave him alone....your attitude about this will help...dont baby him.....take him out often the first three weeks as he doesnt think it is a punishment.....act all googy and praise him when you put him in kennel...throw a treat in ahead of him or a kong....or non destructible item     cow hoof the best   wash them off it he pees in craate,,,,,

Always take him in auto in a crate,,,uncrated dogs are a traffic hazard    can become a bullet if slam on brakes, and he can go thru the window.....

later will tell you other tricks when you are ready.....let us all know.....it is the best way.......a dog that is let to go everywhere on its own , does not usually concentrate on pleasing his master,,,,he has too many choices instead of the master......a pet is okay for this...but if you are interested in training this pup for agility or sport  he has to be regimented   with happiness and fun.....It still is a joy for him after he gets into the knowledge that it is how he is going to be living ..........You  will notice  an different level of exjuberance when you let him out and how he wants your attention   This is when you start the hard sitz and platz and the attention phase of your training...