eclaire

Hi Everyone

I took a quick look for some crate training posts, but I couldn't find any. In any case, I have a 4 month old girl right now and she is in her crate during the day while I am at work. From the time I leave to when I arrive home its 7 hours. Right now she is in there for about 4 hours and then we have a girl come walk her/play with her for a hour and then she is back in for 2 hours until I arrive home.

My questions are:

1. Is it cruel to eventually leave her in there for the whole 7 hours? (I have several friends who leave their dogs in the crates during the day for 9-10 hours at a time and they are fine...)
2. At what age would this be appropriate. Right now she sleeps right through the night from about 10 PM - 7 AM - 9 hours with no bathroom breaks and has been doing that for a few weeks now.
3. Should I be putting water in her crate? I haven't been because the first time I did she just knocked it over and got her pillow bed all soaked... thoughts?

*Just an extra note.... she is up at 7AM and brought for a hour long walk and then is allowed to play and hang around the house until about 9:30. When I get home from work at 4:30 I bring her straight to the dog park/lake for at least another hour of play/hike time.*

Thanks everyone - any tips or help would be appreciate - I love this forum!!!!

Clara and Rain Dog ~*