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Posted by Topic subject:   Crating Woes
lucidity03
Member

Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-24-2003 08:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
I was wondering, how much do you guys crate your dog(s) (if you do at all)?

We have to crate our dog for now. But, I feel bad that it seems to be that he's in there so much. He's crated over night and through our work day. Luckily, my husband works an hour later than me and I work an hour earlier than him. Also, my husband goes home for lunch to let the pup out. Still, I feel like it's all the time (and I worry that it is too much for him).

But, when the dog isn't a year old, gets into everything, and isn't socialized with the cats yet, we have little choice. We tried to let him have the run of a room and he just banged his body against the door the whole time. So, he has to be crated when we're not out with him. (He doesn't seem to hate his crate, but he pees in it all the time. He was good for a couple weeks and then decided that he could just pee in it - even if he's in there for less than an hour).

Basically, I was wondering how everyone else handles this. Ideally, our dog will mature and be trusted out alone (with the cats around). He's not a year yet, so we have some work to do.

Share your stories, please.

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*Beautiful*Girl
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Posts: 73
From:evesham, New Jersey, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-24-2003 09:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for *Beautiful*Girl   Click Here to Email *Beautiful*Girl     Edit/Delete Message
I crate my puppies, my 10 month old will go in the crate to take naps if I leave the crate door open when I'm home. I read that it's like their own room, they need a place to call their own. The older puppy knows when I walk downstairs with my pocketbook it's time for him to get in his crate, he will automatically go inside. I don't think keeping the puppy crated during work hours is too much or at bedtime.

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Maisey
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Posts: 309
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-24-2003 11:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey   Click Here to Email Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
I personally have the rule of thumb that the dogs never stay in their crate for more than 6 hours at one time...and that is for an adult dog and only once in a while. The first week in July my girls had County Fair with their horses, dogs were not allowed and mine stayed at home in kennels for 6 hours at a time for three days in a row, they hated it and so did I, so for the last three days of fair I took them with me and hid them in a friends RV, at leaste this way they got some attention and potty breaks. Both of my dogs are herding type breeds..staying confined is a horrible thing for them although they do it with manners. Anyhow I wanted to share with you what a friend of mine did for her puppy. She bought a puppy fence..the metal kind that you can draw into any shape you want and latch. She paid about $60 at Petco if I remember correctly. She kept it in her kitchen, put newspaper down over most of the floor inside it and his bed and toys in the rest. She worked nearby, so he was never in it for more than about 5 or 6 hours without a potty break. The first couple weeks he did go on the paper, but he got into a schedule, knowing when she would be back and began to wait until he was let out in the yard to go potty. She had a large breed dog so the height of her fence panels had to be high..if you have a small dog a shorter and less expensive one might work. It is very lonely and brain numbing to stay locked up for long periods of time over and over again...from your dogs point of view it's horrible, keep this in mind when you let him out and he acts like a maniac....take him where he can play and run off all that excess energy daily if not twice a day, and play games with him that require him to use his mind, the mind needs to be excercised as well. Hope this helps. Smiles, Maisey

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honeybear
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Posts: 152
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Registered: May 2003

posted 07-24-2003 11:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
what size is your crate, if it is too big, then they will go to the bathroom in it. Also Maiseys suggestion is good for longer periods of time.
Honeybear

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lucidity03
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Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-24-2003 11:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
The crate isn't too big. He can stand up in it comfortably, though. But, he can't go in a corner and get away from it. He actually lifts his leg and pees outside the wire.

The fencing is a good idea, but I may not find a type I need. My dog is 50 pounds and loves to jump. He has jumped the baby gate to the upstairs a couple times (and it's at least waist high on me (and I'm 5'7")) He jumps it with ease.

I walk him an hour a day and play with him an hour a night. We're thinking of cleaning out the basement (it's semi-furnished) and letting him have run of that. I don't know if he'd like that situation better.

Once he's used to the cats and gets out of the adolencence, we want to let him have run of the house. But, that will take time.

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Jas

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Registered: May 2003

posted 07-24-2003 01:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
I agree with Maiseys take on crating. As for a young puppy, no more than 4 hours at a time. I feel that if an owner can not make adjustments like coming home for lunch or rearranging their work schedule, then maybe a puppy is not right for them at this time. Its simply not fair for an dog to be left alone 9+ hours a day - everyday.

Once mine are around the 1-2 year mark, they are usually trustworthy enough not to be crated during the day. I'll still crate them on the odd occasion, because they should always be accustomed to it in case of an emergency, or traveling etc.

Maisey are you taking about the X-pens? The steel fence that is adjustable in size and come in 3, 4, and other feet high sizes. We use those for shows or if were camping, two or 3 put together make an excellent area for the dogs.

Another way to alleviate the boredom (or guilt) for being gone too long is to get up earlier and take the dog for a really good romp or jog before work, this way you know he'll be good and tired while you are gone. We have a family that uses the x-pen in their kitchen so the dog has her bed, water and toys and room to get up, works well for them, but as a pup she still needed her 4 hr potty breaks.

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Maisey
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Posts: 309
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-24-2003 01:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey   Click Here to Email Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Yes Jas I meant the X pens...I have a memory problem so sometimes a word won't come to me and I rely on being able to describe it in hopes someone will know what the heck I am talking about! My apologies to you all and Thank you Jas. But if her pup is 50# and a jumper, I don't think the pen would keep him confined, he could probably tip it over???
Perhaps the basement idea is a good one, maybe even just an area of the basement. perhaps a doggy door from the basement to outside into a cyclone run? That way he could go potty when he needed. I don't know what breed of dog, how old or your living situation...but finding a solution sometimes takes brain storming and extra effort so keep at it. Smiles, Maisey

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lucidity03
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Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-24-2003 02:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
I was at home for lunch today and took to cleaning out the basement. I think he'll be fine in there for the day since it's a large (and rather comfortable) room.

We're going to take a good weekend and get him and the cats to learn to deal with each other. I've been keeping them too seperated that they're not even trying to learn to get along.

But, I don't think that fence would work. I can bet anything that he would knock it down. But, I think having a full basement would work fine. He'd only have 4 hours alone at a time in there so going to the bathroom shouldn't be a problem. I know he can hold his bladder.

Thanks for the support ans suggestions. There's always a solution if you work on it.

My dog was in the shelter for three months and wouldn've been put down that week if we didn't take him home. I will find a solution that works for me and him to make him happy. (His last owners gave him up at 7 months - right when the puppy turns into an adolescent and needs attention and help to grow up well. I think he deserves a good up-bringing since his last owners didn't give him a shot.)

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Maisey
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Posts: 309
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-24-2003 02:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey   Click Here to Email Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Good for you! I am glad to hear you are commited to making it work, you are right he deserves a chance at being a happy dog. Sounds like you are just the Momma to give it to him.

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lucidity03
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Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-24-2003 03:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you

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1Dog3Cats
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Posts: 52
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Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-24-2003 09:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1Dog3Cats     Edit/Delete Message
My personal opinion is, crating a dog for more than 6 hours during the day is too much time.

Yes, many dogs do see the crate as their den. That doesn't mean they wish to spend hour upon hour in their den with the door closed!

The rule of thumb I was taught was 6 hours at the most, if the door is going to be closed.

When my previous dog was a puppy, I used an extra large X-Pen instead of a crate. She couldn't jump over it, she had her "potty" area in case I was gone longer than expected, she had a little food/water, her blanket, and a toy.

It allowed her to have her den, the ablility to see out, and I didn't have to worry about the house being chewed up.

Perhaps an X-Pen would work for you??

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nern
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Posts: 473
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 07-24-2003 11:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern   Click Here to Email nern     Edit/Delete Message
I have never crated mine. When Natalie was a puppy I kept her in the kitchen while I was out of the house until she was fully potty trained and could be trusted alone. I knew nothing about crates when I got her....otherwise I may have tried one.

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lucidity03
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Posts: 71
From:Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-25-2003 09:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lucidity03   Click Here to Email lucidity03     Edit/Delete Message
The basement is 90% cleaned out. He should have run of it by the end of the weekend. I think I'll try to let him have the day out of the crate but still crate him overnight. Hopefully that will work for me and the pup.

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Jas

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Posts: 163
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-25-2003 12:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
Sounds like the basement is what will work best for you then.

The x-pens are several panels put together and are somewhat flexable, so not easy to knock over, but if the dog is a jumper probably could clear a 4 or 5 foot high one.

Sounds like you have things under control! good luck!

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jeminn
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Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 07:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeminn   Click Here to Email jeminn     Edit/Delete Message
I think that you are crating your dog too long. Do you have a yard? If you do I would consider a kennel outdoors. If you do not want to go the expense of installing a cement pad for the kennel then lay pavers and buy a prefabricated kennel you can buy at a Home Depot. If this is not an alternative, then see if the basement will work. It might be worth considering a doggie daycare one or two days a week for proper socialization and playtime. Are you in a metro area where those kind of places are available? When I have to be gone for more than 4 hours at a time, I take mine to the vet for "daycare"- my old dog Husky is too old to leave at home that long, and my pup is too young to leave in her crate for more than a couple of hours. We have doggie daycares in the Denver area and they are a great alternative to crating during the daytime, even if it is just a day or two a week, it would be well worth the investment. We also have neighbor kids who like to come over and walk the dogs and I pay them a couple of dollars to do that occassionally if they are available. I hope you can figure something out or I am afraid you will have a very destructive dog on your hands from being confined for too long.

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