Crate Training - How long in the crate?

eclaire · 06-13-2008, 12:57 PM

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 ~*

obiethedobe · 06-13-2008, 02:48 PM

I can comment on the water thing, My mom crates her sheltie and just got a water bottle, the kind for rabbits or hamsters only huge and taught him how to use it. Works for her, no spills.

**Burns** · 06-13-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclaire

I took a quick look for some crate training posts, but I couldn't find any.

Did you check the DT Educational Archives?

Housebreaking and Crate Training

As for leaving her in there for 7 hours eventually, I think that is fine. I didn't leave Red in his crate for that long until he was over 6 months old though. And even now, it's rare he in it for 7 hours straight due to my hubby's and my schedule (more like 5-6 hours usually). But that will be fine once she's a little older. I think it's good to continue having someone come over midday and let her out and walk her for now

I've never put water in the crate because I don't want him to drink a lot and then have to pee while he's crated. So he gets his crate mat, a safe toy and that's it

eclaire · 06-13-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

Did you check the DT Educational Archives?

Housebreaking and Crate Training

As for leaving her in there for 7 hours eventually, I think that is fine. I didn't leave Red in his crate for that long until he was over 6 months old though. And even now, it's rare he in it for 7 hours straight due to my hubby's and my schedule (more like 5-6 hours usually). But that will be fine once she's a little older. I think it's good to continue having someone come over midday and let her out and walk her for now

I've never put water in the crate because I don't want him to drink a lot and then have to pee while he's crated. So he gets his crate mat, a safe toy and that's it

ahhh I knew there was a crate training post here somewhere... sorry bout that. In any case, thanks for the info - definitely helpful

hrd2gt · 06-13-2008, 10:24 PM

I crate Karma, mainly because she likes to toss the house around when she is free.. I didnt when she was younger so she can play and use the doggie door... but after sacrificing a few throw rugs and a wicker toy basket that was the last straw!!

Karma has been crated since she was young too, I would go home at lunch to let her out and play with her, try to tire her out, throwing the ball the length of the yard with three rows of jumps she would have to go over.

Now even though I hate to leave her so long, work requires me to be there for 10 hours!

But she does great, When I come home she will still run to me to greet me then run out to go potty.

I leave her with two of her favorite toys. I also leave her one cup of food and water. I got flat sided metal buckets. They hang on the side of the crate, and for the water one I use a clip (like whats on the end of a leash) to clip the handle to the crate. I just got the buckets and they working out great, she cant spill the water while its clipped.

I had a plastic cup that squeezed onto the crate before, but no matter what she would knock it down. And if I screwed the bolt to tight it would bend and break the plastic.

Also, maybe use a pillow or blanket that is easy to wash just in case there is an accident. But that is the wonderful world of girl dogs. They can HOLD IT forever

eclaire · 06-14-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrd2gt

I crate Karma, mainly because she likes to toss the house around when she is free.. I didnt when she was younger so she can play and use the doggie door... but after sacrificing a few throw rugs and a wicker toy basket that was the last straw!!

Karma has been crated since she was young too, I would go home at lunch to let her out and play with her, try to tire her out, throwing the ball the length of the yard with three rows of jumps she would have to go over.

Now even though I hate to leave her so long, work requires me to be there for 10 hours!

But she does great, When I come home she will still run to me to greet me then run out to go potty.

I leave her with two of her favorite toys. I also leave her one cup of food and water. I got flat sided metal buckets. They hang on the side of the crate, and for the water one I use a clip (like whats on the end of a leash) to clip the handle to the crate. I just got the buckets and they working out great, she cant spill the water while its clipped.

I had a plastic cup that squeezed onto the crate before, but no matter what she would knock it down. And if I screwed the bolt to tight it would bend and break the plastic.

Also, maybe use a pillow or blanket that is easy to wash just in case there is an accident. But that is the wonderful world of girl dogs. They can HOLD IT forever

Thanks for all that useful information. Just wondering - how old was she when you left her for 7-8 hours at a time? I don't want to rush her, but she holds it so long through the night, I would imagine she could during the day too....