buddydobe

Ok, I managed through my first puppy crisis, with Django getting sick and all. He's doing much much better now. As I am, well sort of...

I'm a single owner, and live alone. My family is all back East. The friends that I have that would take him out for me during the day, are not confident enough with dogs, so I don't have help during the day. I work partly from home, but also away from home...

I don't like to leave him for too long in the crate during the day for all the obvious reasons. How long do you folks think is ok at this age?

Thought about hiring someone, but I have some very expensive equipment here, and having someone I don't know come when I'm not here is not at the top of my list. Also thought of puppy day care, but I don't really want someone else training my dog, plus he still needs shots...I already took 2 weeks off from work, and I'm taking half days now, but I can't do it forever..Between potty, socializing, training, playing, feeding, watching, grooming, ear taping...well it's a lot for just one person who has his first puppy.

Any thoughts on how to juggle it all?

gracieface

first off you might consider getting an exercise pen, I clamp mine to the crate when I have pups, like yourself I'm single and doing this on my own. the ex pen gives more room, I had a pee area outside of the crate in the pen, in case the pup couldn't wait till I came home. I do recommend though getting a 48" one as Rex was climbing over 36" at 4 months old.
Once his shots are complete go for the dog day care, I took Grace once a week for about 8 months, she loved it! they didn't do her training, really, but it gave her an outlet for some of her never ending energy, she socialized with other dogs, and came home tired. Most dog walkers where I live are bonded, and carry insurance, so I wouldn't rule that possibility out either. variety is good.

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JagerMonster

No family...I hear you! My husband was pulled away so I have been doing the puppy thing solo as well. At 12 weeks some people vote the number of months is the number of hours they can hold it others vote add an hour...just depends on the philosophy you choose to put your faith in....Jager at 12 weeks could hold it four hours. I was just finishing classes when we got him so I know this to be true. At 8 weeks, I did the pen thing because I knew he could not hold it (and skipped a final class, oops!) and as he grew older and his bladder stronger I began crating him in the no larger than he can turn around, stand up, lay down method. It worked very well. I also started a good 45 minutes before I had to leave doing the potty trips to ensure he went before I left (he can be quite stubborn some days and not go!)...exercise or good play before leaving so he would sleep most of the time...and of course the TREATS! All things this wonderful forum told me to do!!

DobeGirl07

For a 12 week old puppy, I would say 3-4 hours at most. Good luck!

buddydobe

Yeah, I've been trying to keep it to 3-4 hrs max. Let me tell you though, after 3.5 hrs in the crate....he is an absolute wild pup when I get home....geesh!

Lexxsmom

if you are asking about "how long can he hold his pee" or "how long till he will be a bouncy ball of energy" these are COMPLETELY different. a puppy is a bouncy ball of energy, it doesn't matter how long they are crated. for crating, the important thing is how long can they hold it. And i used the age in months plus one rule, so 12 weeks=3 months=4 hours.

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zolo

Hello sorry to hijack the thread but I am waiting for a fem puppy soon and would like a clarification please:

The 3-4 hours is the maximum continuous time that the dog has to stay in the crate and not the total time of a day, correct?

Accordingly during night time I release the dog from the crate and leave her on the garden from 2 months old with cut ears, or during night time I can leave the dog in the crate for 6 hours?

zolo

Let me rephrase my 2 questions:

1) the maximum 3-4 hours is not the daily time that I have to keep a female puppy, 2 months old, in the crate, but it is the maximum time to keep it between breaks out of the crate for play at the garden or walk out?

2) During nighttime, where I sleep for 6-7 hours, should I keep her in the crate or leave her out on the garden?

Please reply, thanks

ca323

I don't know that it will keep quiet enough for you to sleep that long. our is 8 weeks now and he's quiet for maybe 5 hours straight while we are sleeping. He's got to get up and go outside and then eat between 5-7 so I get up when he does, thats how it works or else they won't learn to hold it. It just takes time. and to answer your first question its continuous time, then break then another couple hours. I would suggest when they get out for a potty break that they play for a bit so it releases some of their energy, then another trip to go potty then maybe back in the crate. I was on a nap, pee, play, pee, Repeat schedule for the first two weeks, Thats how it goes.

zolo

Thats why the breeder told us "its like you get a 3rd kid", I predict less sleep for some time, as I have to wake at 5 to get her out for potty and then to feed her.

Is it OK to leave her at the garden at 5, then return to bed and feed her at 7, which will be the usual feeding time anyway?