New Member

Posts: 2
From:Windsor, ny USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-14-2003 04:17 PM         

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Hello, I have a one year old Carin Terrier. My question is it ok to crate my dog while I'm at school? I'm gone for eight hours. I feel that this is too long of a peroid of time for him to be locked up. Your comments are helpful, thanks
Stephanie

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Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-14-2003 04:21 PM         

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Personally, I think 8hrs is too long to leave a dog in a crate. Do you have a friend, neighbor or family member that could come over and let the dog out of the crate for a little while half way through the day?
If not maybe you can just confine the dog to one room rather than using the crate. JMO.

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Member

Posts: 277
From:Nellis AFB, Nevada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 09-14-2003 09:09 PM         

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What Nern said is right but some people do it. I crate my dogs at night or when I leave the house. I normally don't leave them there for long periods of time except at night but they sleep in their crates. If this is going to be everyday while you are at school, I suggest leaving him in a room with a gate. Make sure he has plenty of chew toys or Kongs are fun for dogs too. Good luck. Let us know if you need anymore help.

[This message has been edited by Karriesue (edited 09-14-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 320
From:Allagash, Maine USA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 09-14-2003 10:36 PM         

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I got to agree.. eight hours is a long while.. do you crate at night as well.. if so.. think about this.. eight hours a day, plus all night long.. your dog spends most of it's life in a crte.. Are you speaking of high school or college? Is there any way you could come home to let your dog out for a bit?? How about a room (bathroom, bedroom9 kitchen with baby gate up) that you could put the dog.. whatever room, especially bathroom MAKE SURE you remove all things harmful because when a dog gets bored.. it will snoop for anythign to kill the bordem.. But eight hours is a long time..

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Alter the dog-- not the breed!

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Member

Posts: 166
From:Colorado, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 09-15-2003 08:30 AM         

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I agree- 8 hours could be too long. Are you crating at night, too? If that is the case, I hope you can find another alternative during the day. The longest I have had to leave mine crated during the day is 4 hours and I can hardly stand the thought of that. When I have to be gone longer, which does not happen too often, I have had neighbors come over to walk them during the day. If that wasn't an option, I took them to my vet which has indoor/outdoor runs and they just spent the day there. There are also many pet sitting businesses now- if you crate your dog, you could have someone come over during the day to let it out. These may be expensive alternatives, but something for you to think about, I hope. I think crates are a great tool, just don't let them become a torture chamber. I know too many people that crate their dogs all day long, AND all night, and it is not fair to the dogs-they deserve to have a life! I am guessing that since you cared enough about your dog to find this website and ask that question, you will do right by your dog. Good luck, and think about your options.

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Member

Posts: 25
From:Lansing, IL
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-15-2003 01:45 PM         

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My hubby and I have a 13 week old lab puppy and we are gone 9 hours during the day for work. I have a lady who comes in half way through the day to let him out to pee and play with him a bit. It's a bit of a stretch in our budget, but so very worth it.

This way Rudy is not locked up all day and all night. I know he's getting out at least one time during the time we are gone.

Jodi

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New Member

Posts: 2
From:Windsor, ny USA
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-15-2003 05:25 PM         

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Thanks to everybody that took the time to write, I really appreciate your advise and will take it. And I'm sure "Frankie" thanks you also.
Stephanie

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