Lexus

Excellent Topic Kratty!!


•What type of crate do you use and what materials does your doberman lie on.
I use a regular wire cage (coated wire). I keep blankets and towels in it. (easier to wash than a pet bed... the pet bed is beside my bed)

•How did you train your doberman to use the crate, how long did it take?
I trained Lex to be in her cage by keeping the cage beside the bed at night time (she cried her everloving head off otherwise!!) and she just got used to being in it during the day, she was fine in her cage by herself from the get go as long as there was someone in the room, she took about a week or two to become accustomed to being by herself

•What uses does the crate serve for you and how does your doberman see the crate? (bedroom, punishment, etc)
The crate was never used as punishment. It was used only as a bedroom, or to keep her safe and out of harms way if I couldn't keep my eyes on her at any time

•When did you stop using the crate?
Although I do periodically still use it, it is few and far between, just if maybe there is another dog or person in the house and I want Lexus out of the way, when she was about 7 months old she started sleeping beside the bed, and was in the crate during the day while I was at work. At about 13-14 months she started getting the run of the house at all times, and has kept that privilege ever since

•What techniques did you use to Housebreak/potty train you doberman? (puppy pads, etc)
I don't personally believe in puppy pads, they are teaching a dog to eliminate on a particular surface, and I just think if you are going to do that, than just teach them to eliminate outside. I watched Lexus very closely, after she ate, played or slept - we went outside, and she was rewarded for eliminating outside. We had a few accidents, maybe half a dozen. But she just "got" it. (must be the dobie brain!!)

•How long did it take it become 100% reliable, no more mistakes.
At about four and half to five months old, there was no more mistakes. I do not kid myself in saying she was 100% at that age, but after that point she "had the picture" and I was fortunate to encourage that behavior by catching her and getting her where she needed to be before there could be an accident.

•How does your Doberman alert you that they need to go out.
She pretty much irritates the heck out of me She snaps at the air with no noise, stares intently and "wigglebutts" her way around wagging her butt like crazy!

•Do they go on different surfaces and in new locations easily? (if traveling and no grass is available)
Interesting Question For the longest time I had trouble getting Lexus to eliminate in different locations and on different surfaces, I got over it by walking outside with her when ever she eliminated told her to "go potty", now anywhere I take her I can tell her that she will start sniffing out a place to go

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