Sound proofing a cage??

topazblue

Hi, I'm toilet training my puppy at the moment, which involves leaving her in a cage overnight, unfortunately she doesn't like being left alone and barks all night long. Neighbours are complaining and I need to resolve the problem today!

I need to sound proof the cage while ensuring u don't restrict the air flow into the cage too much.

Can anyone suggest what materials could be used to cover the cage to reduce the pitch and volume of her bark significantly?

Very desperate, any help much appreciated!!

Thanks

DamagedTrax

hi topaz,

there is no real way of totally soundproofing and still letting sufficient air in for your pup (without installing some sort of air con!). you could try putting a few layers of towels or blankets over it (leaving the door end free for airflow) but its really not going to make a huge amount of differance.

have you looked at alternative ways besides cage training? newspaper training (where you slowly move the newspaper towards the back door until eventually puppy learns to go out, and make sure you use plenty of positive reinforcement!) could be a better option for you. it takes a little longer but will save you and your neighbours the sleepless nights.

good luck

seannash

DamagedTrax wrote: »

hi topaz,

there is no real way of totally soundproofing and still letting sufficient air in for your pup (without installing some sort of air con!).

have you looked at alternative ways besides cage training? newspaper training (where you slowly move the newspaper towards the back door until eventually puppy learns to go out, and make sure you use plenty of positive reinforcement!) could be a better option for you. it takes a little longer but will save you and your neighbours the sleepless nights.

good luck

This
Also everytime the dog barks in the house spray it in the face with some water(you can get those little spray bottles in gardening shops),it doesnt hurt and it will discourage them.Itll get to a stage where you will only have to pick up the bottle and the dog will stop.

Also start walking the dog before its going to bed to tire it out.

topazblue

seannash wrote: »

This
Also everytime the dog barks in the house spray it in the face with some water(you can get those little spray bottles in gardening shops),it doesnt hurt and it will discourage them.Itll get to a stage where you will only have to pick up the bottle and the dog will stop.

Also start walking the dog before its going to bed to tire it out.

Id say walking will solve a lot of my problems but she isnt due the final round of vaccinations for another 2 weeks and ive to wait a further 5 days afterward to bring her outside.

The water bottle sounds interesting but doesnt seem practical if shes barking when were trying to sleep. If i could drown out her barking, it would keep the neighbours happy, let me get some sleep and put in decent ground work towards toilet training her.

I think acoustic foam is what i need. If i covered 3 of the cages sides and left the opening side uncovered with a fan blowing air into the cage, i think that may reduce the noise enough to let everyone sleep. Any ideas where to get this foam in Dublin?? Cant seem to find it anywhere

DamagedTrax

topazblue wrote: »

I think acoustic foam is what i need. If i covered 3 of the cages sides and left the opening side uncovered with a fan blowing air into the cage, i think that may reduce the noise enough to let everyone sleep. Any ideas where to get this foam in Dublin?? Cant seem to find it anywhere

acoustic foam isnt for soundproofing, it's for acoustic treatment (two totally different things). and even if you got proper soundproofing materials and leave one end of the cage open then you have wasted your money. when we work in soundproofed studios even the slightest gap can let an awful lot of sound out.

if you're set on cage training my advise would be to move the cage to where you guys sleep and then slowly move it down the stairs again. a little further each night. remember your puppies cries arent because he'e in a cage, its because he feels seperated and insecure. give him back the security of being close to people at night, he'll become more settled and then you can start moving him away from you again.

remember, dog training methods arent set in stone but more guidlines. ive been around dogs for years and had to alter training methods to suit each particular breed. currently im trying to get a resue staffy from wanting to be beside me every single moment of the day and night! its not easy and you have to try different methods until you reach one that suits both you and puppy!

meoklmrk91

Your best bet is to try and comfort her so she doesn't bark as much cover up the crate with towels to try and make it more homely, put a ticking clock in the crate as this sound reminds the puppy of its mothers heart beating and a cuddly toy to cuddle up to. This will continue until the pup starts to realize that this is the way things are going to be so make sure you don't encourage her to continue barking by making her think that it gets a response from you. Ignore it completely otherwise it will continue.

off.the.walls

Just tell your neighbours to mind their own business my dog used to be like that untill she grew out of it. Puppys are basically idiots though so training is hard work.

madtheory

Damagedtrax is dead right. I second everything he said.

Where exactly have you got your dog training info from? Hearsay, or a few good books? Keep her in the bedroom with you, it's a pack animal and is genetically disinclined to be alone?

BahSheep

I don't like the idea of the cage. Just saying, we thought about 12 dogs toilet training by if they went to the toilet, put there nose in it, tell them bold and then put them outside and when they go toilet outside, praise and treats etc.. If you MUST put the dog in a cage, you should carpet the top and one side, otherwise tell your neighbours to p*** off or leave the dog inside.

DamagedTrax

off.the.walls wrote: »

Just tell your neighbours to mind their own business

why would you do that? alienating your neighbours just gives them ammunition to complain more and possibly to authorities. a new puppy should be the cause of happiness around your home, not a reason to make life hard with people that you have to see on a daily basis. a little thought and consideration on training methods (and the neighbours right to a little peace at night) is all thats needed.

DamagedTrax

madtheory wrote: »

Damagedtrax is dead right. I second everything he said.

when i take over the world i shall let you live.

madtheory

DamagedTrax wrote: »

when i take over the world i shall let you live.

LMFBO!

PaulBrewer

seannash wrote: »

This
Also everytime the dog barks in the house spray it in the face with some water(you can get those little spray bottles in gardening shops),it doesnt hurt and it will discourage them.Itll get to a stage where you will only have to pick up the bottle and the dog will stop.

Also start walking the dog before its going to bed to tire it out.

If only soundproofing was as simple !

sumtings

How do we know this is a cage for a dog?

DamagedTrax

sumtings wrote: »

How do we know this is a cage for a dog?

Hi, I'm toilet training my puppy at the moment, which involves leaving her in a cage overnight

very start of original post.

sumtings

DamagedTrax wrote: »

very start of original post.

left out a word. probably should have used some sort of a smiley too.

How do we know this is REALLY a cage for a dog?

DamagedTrax

ah... grammar fail