Are we mean to give the Doodles Time Out?

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Sydney and Olivia were acting up this afternoon.  One started to bark, then the other joined in.  A car pulled into our neighbor's driveway and they both began barking and jumping up on the sofa by the window.  They acted up like this several times.  Sydney is a barker.  Olivia is usually very quiet but can be a real instigator.  She will huff under her breath when she hears something and this will get Sydney going.  Well today, Doodle Mommies were a bit cranky and didn't want to listen to the barking so we used the real mean voice to scold them and blocked them in the TV Room with a fence.  Olivia huffed under her breath and sat by the fence for about an hour.  Now they are both sleeping.  We didn't have the patience today to try positive reinforcement.  We are liking the peace and quiet and no sticky glue Doodles at our side every second.  Do you think we are mean?

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Oh, Gosh, maybe we need to bring back our crates (which are stored in the basement).  Our Doodles have not been in their crates for at least 3 - 4 years.  And now, we have moved into a much smaller house so, wow, we will be crowded in our family room with the crates.  It may be worth a try, though!  Thanks for your advise!

[Susan and Sasha]

I agree with Adina...

They have to have boundaries and listen.

If they aren't listening to your listen command...then...they have to be removed from the situation.

I don't think you did anything wrong...at all...

I'm not a fan of using the crate as a time out...but...using a different room or space...such as what Caitlin was talking about.

If Sasha isn't listening...there are times when I will just walk out of the room...for only a minute or two.

Then come back in.  That's all it takes...and she calms right down and is in the listening mode.

That's how much being with me means to her.  If she listens...she is rewarded. If she doesn't listen...she has a short time out or I walk away.  Really only a minute or two. That's what I was taught...and it works well.

As far as the crate goes...I know that there are different opinions on this.

My trainer  taught me that the crate needed to be a positive experience...and was only to be used for sleeping and resting...not for punishment.  The thought is...if the crate is used for sleeping and for reprimand...it will be confusing to your Dood when they are told to go into the crate. 

Gail and Kathleen...I agree with everyone else...I don't think you did anything mean at all...

 

 

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Dexter gets time outs frequently.  He is a naughty doodle.  I'm not sure if it does anything, but it does interrupt his naughty behavior. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

This is kind of off topic but kind of not, I remember when Jack was barking his head off at a jogger in the park (our backyard butts up against a big park). I was sitting outside on my screened in porch and I was trying to pray.. Jack would not stop barking...I was so frustrated I screamed at him " Jack shut the He*l up I am trying to freaking pray:  Nothing like dropping a curse word in the middle of praying!!!!...

 

My neighbor happen to be outside and laughed so hard at me... They can really frustrate you sometimes those little stinker butts....

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Great story, Jennifer!  You were frustrated but your neighbor got a great laugh which then made you laugh!  Was Jack laughing too??????  I'll bet he stopped barking when you starting laughing.  We just got another reply that seemed so right on.  When our Doodles are barking and we begin to scream, they think we are barking along with them.  I really think that Sydney has been thinking this for 6 years every time I start to scream.  What a dumb human I have been!!!!

 

Jennifer, as for your original reply (just getting around to reading all replies) it sure seems that you are taking the time to get the proper professional help with training Jack.  It seems you are doing such a wonderful job.  You are going to have some great Doodle as Jack matures and you both will be the envy of everyone you meet up with.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thank you so much for your very kind words..That means a lot to me. . We all love our dood's so much and it is fun to laugh at ourselves as we are trying to raise them, or be raised by them sometimes.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Is Dexter still being naughty even now with his injury?  How is he doing?  We hope he will be better for upcoming Doodle Romps.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you as soon as the weather gets nice.

[Becky & Sheeba]

Sheeba is very vocal at times, especially when she see's any deer, birds or anything out of place outside in the yard. I always go over to check and see what's she is barking at or huffing. I attempt to calm her down and divert her attention. If this method doesn't work, I calmly tell her it's time to go to bed and place her in her crate for around 10-15 minutes. Just enough time to let her settle down. Sheeba no longer sleeps in her crate & I still want it to be a pleasant place for her to go into, so at times when she goes into her crate I will give her a favorite toy of hers. We will place her in her crate when we know company is coming over. This is to help her behave once we let her out after the company has been over for about 10-15, after that time we let her out to greet everyone. This method has helped with her exuberance of greeting visitor's by jumping up on them. I don't think it's "mean" to give your doodle a timeout.