Going to be working fulltime..to crate or not to crate?

Blaze is the only one of our dogs that isn't crated during the day.  The others are crated all day while DH and I are at work.  They do fine, they are just way hyper when we first let them out when we get home.  They have toys in their boxes but I know for a fact Dusty and Pooch don't touch them....they haven't moved from the front corner since they were put in there (and I've tried several different toys in case they just don't like what they have and it makes no difference).  The only problem we had was when Mystic was a young puppy she would have occasional accidents in the crate so until she got older and could hold it longer my BIL would come in and let her out during the day.  Even now, if we're going to be longer than normal we can call him and he'll go let them out for us.  I think the important things are 1) realize Sniper may be too young to hold it the whole 8 hrs so letting him out on your lunch break is going to be really helpful 2)Burn up some of his energy before you leave in the morning so that he wants to go to sleep for a bit and 3)As soon as you get home let him out and expect him to have lots of energy to burn

It may not be the most ideal situation, but it can be done and as long as you don't skimp on his excersize when you get home he'll be fine.

Just my $.02

I would much rather see you crate her and keep her safe from getting into things she shouldn't get into than let her have more freedom than she is ready for and possibly end up with her getting hurt... 

The fact that you will come home mid-day is a must, since 10 hours is way too long with no potty/stretch/play break (I think it is too long to ask of any dog regularly, but it is definitely too long to ask of a puppy).  I know you said there are no walkers or day-cares near you, so could you maybe hire a responsible teenager who is looking to make some money to come over right after school for another break?  I don't know if that is an option where you live, but it's a thought...

 I should also add that it wouldn't be every day either. I have Sundays and Mondays off, only work half days on Thursday, my DH has the full weekend off as well as he is home on and off, as he is self employed. She would get an hour of exercise in the mornings, I leave for work at 7:45am, come home at noon, she gets out for half an hour, goes back in the crate at 12:45, and then I come home at 5pm where she plays the rest of the night (and she is not crated at night). But usually my DH is already home at 3pm, sometimes earlier. But I worry about the days he is working a full day, and she only gets the half hour break. I will keep an eye out for someone I trust that wouldn't mind making the trip to let her out for a walk maybe around 2-3pm on the days that DH wouldn't be home, but until then, I think I will try and fashion an ex-pen type set up.

It sounds like you know what you are doing. Sniper will be fine.

So it sounds like this is max four days a week, but possibly only two or three? She'll be fine, don't worry.

there's no way a four-month old can hold his bladder for eight to ten hours- you can't leave him in a crate, he'll be forced to pee in the crate and bye-bye any hope of housebreaking him. Also there is no way a four-month-old can be trusted loose in the house- he'll develop all sorts of horrible bad habits. I fyou can't come home at noon or find anyone to do the chore for you I would suggest an x-pen or puppy-proofed room with NO carpets, and a piddle pad in one end as far as possible from the bed.

Are my posts even being read? I DO come home at noon time, that isn't an issue. Sniper would only be in her crate for up to 4 hours max at a time, if that. Thank you to those who ARE reading my posts!

I know how you feel - I hate having to crate my pups while I'm at work. But reality is - some of us have to work. That doesn't make us bad dog owners, and dogs do learn to adapt. My dogs are in crates while I'm gone and I have to say they seem just fine with it. I work 4 days a week and even on the day that I don't work, they go in their crates to lie down during the day on their own.  When they were younger I did keep them in the bathroom, and I have used panels to partition off an area in the kitchen. I went to using the crates for a couple of reasons: first of all, the dogs seemed to like their crates more; secondly, I felt it was safer for them. I had one pup get into a plant, another one chewed a hole in the bathroom door, they got out of the partitioned area... 

 If I am going to be gone a really long time, I do have someone come over and let the dogs out to run and go potty.  I'm a huge fan of dog walkers and such.  If that's an option for you, go for it. There may even be a neighbor kid who might want to earn a couple of bucks each week.  My daughter has done it for people and really enjoys it. 

It's never ideal to have to work and to have a dog (or dogs) be home alone.  But again, reality is what it is.  While it is not ideal, if your dog gets plenty of love and exercise when you get home, he/she will adapt and be fine. 

I read your post! Whatever you choose to do, I don't think 4 hours is too long at all. As I mentioned in my last post, I've had to leave mine longer and they're just fine. Dogs adapt, especially when they know they are loved. 

I think your plan sounds good.  Try not to worry too much.  I know it will be hard the first couple of times, but eventually it will all be routine.  Since you are coming home at lunch Sniper will be getting a chance to pee/poop and at 4 months he should be able to hold it for at least 5 hours.  Not crating a 4 month old only leaves them the chance to destroy and that's dangerous for everyone!  Unless you have a bathroom that will work, I think your plan to crate is an excellent one. 

As my Granny used to say, everything will work out in the end. 

Not to worry - I read what you said and didn't think you were leaving Sniper for 10 hours in a row!  You know that you or someone needs to come home during lunch and let her out to pee and play and you already built that into your plan... If you can find someone trustworthy to come and do another afternoon break on the days that you and DH are home the least, great, if not, it isn't even every day (once you told us the actual schedule, it seems like really it is just 3 or maye 4 days a week) and honestly - dogs adapt! 

Soon enough this will just be the routine and everyone will be comfortable with it...  Do not stress about this - people have to work, there is no crime in working and having a dog.  You seem very committed to making sure Sniper is well cared for and that all her needs in terms of attention and exercise are met - I have no doubt you can do that and work full time!

Thank you guys so much. I was truly starting to feel like a terrible dog owner by having decided to work a full time job! I really also don't want to leave her in the crate, even if it is for 4 hours or 2 hours or whatever it may be! But you are making me feel better about it. I still think I'll use an ex-pen type of area and try and find someone so she isn't stuck in there for the 4 hours after lunch. Again, thank you guys, feeling much better.  

 I always use the house training rule: puppies can hold it their age in months plus one (i.e. 4+1= 5 hours), so anything below that is aok for crating.  I do try to transition my dogs out of crates as soon as is safe for them and me.

My 8.5 month old is crated for 10 to 11 hours/day with a 30 min break midday and my 8 yo is loose in the house with the same schedule.  Weekends are more relaxed of course.  

For Edie: do you really think being left alone for up to 11 hours w/ a short break midday is worse than being dead?!  Because that's what the fates of both of my girls would've been had I not adopted them (one was 15 mins from PTS after 4 weeks in a shelter and the other was a few days away after 3 months in a shelter). 

stardog85

do you really think being left alone for up to 11 hours w/ a short break midday is worse than being dead?! 

 

 

Sorry,yes i do.Death is only sad for the living they leave behind. I think it is preferable to a tormented existence.I would not even consider a dog who i had to crate for 11 hours a day,i would wait till my circumstances better fitted dog ownership.Plenty of people wait years before getting a dog or another dog because their lifestyle just wouldnt be fair or condusive for dog ownership.

I think maybe because of the huge numbers of dogs destroyed every year in the states there is almost an attitude of surely this restricted life is better than no life.  Personally I don't agree, there are worse things than death.

stardog85

 I always use the house training rule: puppies can hold it their age in months plus one (i.e. 4+1= 5 hours)

 

This also seems to be a common misconception.Some pups have to go every half hour,others every hour,there are NO hard and fast rules about exactly how often every single pup has to toilet,they are not robots! No wonder i read about so many bladder related  issues...

 

Pups need to stretch,move,walk,explore and run around.Not be pent up in a cage barely big enough to turn around in let a lone stretch!These are growing little beings,it just can not be good for them to be so restricted for so many hours a day.I can not see how anyone can argue with this????

And why is there always an automatic assumption that pups will destroy the house from top to bottom.I always gave my dogs the benefit of the doubt first and was pleasantly surprised each time :) I can understand bored,hyper,frustrated dogs doing this,but not tired,well exercised properly stimulated dogs,ofcourse i realize there are always the exception to the rule.

 

Gordonsgirl i hope you find a solution,if it's of any use this is what i would do and have done pretty much with all of my dogs: 

 

Get up in morning,usually an hour before i should be getting up and walk the dogs,good off lead running with a few mental stimulation games thrown in.This really sucks in the winter time and i dont really know of anyone who enjoy's get up in the freezing mornings,but it has to be done.

 

Get home and give the dog a big meaty bone to enjoy while getting ready for work.Let the dog outside to toilet and explore for a little while.Let back in, and go to work .There were times i was able to drop my dogs off at my moms house on the way to work,but was not applicable after she moved.If leaving dog at home leave plenty of toys,kongs filled with yummy's etc.When i had to leave them at home i left them in the kitchen/dining area which was usually tiled until they were reliably houstrained,after that they got run of the house. Either come home at lunch and take for a short walk,get them out of the house.Or get someone else in to do it,which is often times harder than it sounds,either there's no family or friends around or no dog walker available.

Get home from work,nothing else matters or gets done until after the dog  has been taken out for another off lead run. Weekends and evenings are totally devoted to the dogs.We brought them into our homes and then go out and leave them for hours while we go to work,it's the least we can do for them.

 

Yes,i digress dog ownership is damn hard work,and working full time plus owning dogs tired me out more than i can say..All i can add to this isanyone thinking of getting a dog should think not  "Why do I want a dog?"  but  "What can I offer a dog?"

I'm sorry, I hate these arguments and didn't want to say anything, but are you serious? you're saying it would be better for my dog to be dead than be confined during the day while I work? Nevermind all the fun she has and love and attention she gets when we are home? I am pretty sure that if my dog could talk, she would disagree with you. If her life was so bad, I doubt she would be curled up on my husband right now in warm room with a full belly? I'm pretty sure a stray dog who has been beaten and is hungry would much rather have my dogs life, including being confined during the day. I am so sorry that you can only see black and white.

Edie

Get home from work,nothing else matters or gets done until after the dog  has been taken out for another off lead run. Weekends and evenings are totally devoted to the dogs.

Is using the toilet or getting the kids settled not more important? And when do you shop? Clean? See friends? I'll admit I try to spend as much as time as possible with my dog, but I can't honestly be with her 24/7. Life does exist outside my dog. Please try not to be so rude. It really doesn't help get your point across. Offer suggestions not commentary.