Dog Community

Fulltime/crate issue solved, I think!

Posted : 12/3/2007 3:29:57 PM

So as some of you know, I am going to be going full time at work. I have been part time since Sniper has come into our lives, and it has been very nice, as I have never had to crate her longer than a few hours, except for a couple of days I had to work all day, as I was always home. I was in a dilemma, as I didn't want to crate her for the 8 hours, even with a break in between at lunch, as I just felt she would go nuts in her crate all day! So, I cleaned out our "junk room" today for her to spend her day while DH and I are at work. It has nothing in it besides her bed and an old chest she likes to sleep on, so there is really nothing for her to chew. The window sill is too high to gnaw on without her really having to stretch and work hard at it, and the carpet is just something old, so if there are any accidents, it won't be the end of the world. That is the one issue I'm concerned about is her regressing in housetraining with all the free room, so I will play it by ear to see how she does, but I feel much better having a Sniper room while we work! Here it is:

[IMG]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff186/BrianaLoren/room2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff186/BrianaLoren/room1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff186/BrianaLoren/snipe.jpg[/IMG]

The room is really small, but it gives her a little room to stretch her legs and play during the day. Smile

sl2crmeg

Posted : 12/3/2007 4:12:13 PM

Oh, how nice! Sniper has a whole room to herself! I'm glad you worked out a solution.

And maybe Santa can bring her a nice kong for Christmas :)

houndlove

Posted : 12/3/2007 4:13:51 PM

That's great! I'm a big fan of the "safe room"! Marlowe's got his own room (it's an old storage room in our finished basement) and it works great for him. He was having some GI problems this weekend and the poor guy had naaaasty diarrhea while we were out for a couple hours on Sunday. He was in his room at the time, though, so it really was not that big of a deal. Some enzymatic cleaner (and a little air freshener) and it was dealt with.

A word of advice that you might have to play around with the door. I don't know if Sniper's a jumper, but Marlowe always preferred a baby gate over a solid door being shut. I guess it made him feel more like he was "choosing" to be in that room, instead of locked behind a closed door and forgotten about. But dogs who don't like shut doors can do a lot of damage in scratching to try to get out.

GordonsGirl

Posted : 12/3/2007 4:23:00 PM

That is a great idea to put up a baby gate, I wondered if I should do that to keep her from scratching at the door as well. It might also look a little more open. Smile Although, I don't know if she would jump it or not, as I've never had a baby gate up around her before. But I will definitely give it a shot on a day I'm home to see if she tries to jump it.

Oh, and stuffed kongs are her favorite toy, so we are all set in that department! Wink

janobonano

Posted : 12/3/2007 4:40:58 PM

Be a good girl, Sniper! Or your mama might have to send you away to live with Auntie Janice. Smile

sl2crmeg

Posted : 12/3/2007 4:53:17 PM

Haha, has she figured out how to hurl it across the room? Pirate just likes to throw his into walls.

You could always bring her to Florida to play at doggie day care with me :)

swamper

Posted : 12/3/2007 7:25:58 PM

Is that a lupine beetle-mania collar Sniper is wearing? Maya just got one of those a couple weeks ago.

GordonsGirl

Posted : 12/3/2007 7:42:49 PM

swamper
Is that a lupine beetle-mania collar Sniper is wearing? Maya just got one of those a couple weeks ago.

Yuppers, it is! I work at a vet clinic where we sell them, and I get the collars half price, so Sniper has actually a collection much to my DH's dismay! Sometimes he worries I spoil the dog... Wink

Janet808

Posted : 12/3/2007 7:53:57 PM

Wow! That's such a nice little room! It looks perfect for your pup. If you wanted, they sell puppy pads, if you wanted to try and reserve the hardwood flooring under your carpet (if you have them), otherwise, if she messes too often, it could really do some damage, should you replace the rug one day. Also, I would consider leaving her some chew toys so when she gets bored, she won't find things at her level to chew on. But otherwise, that's a great idea, she'll have lots of room to move around, I would just suggest maybe some puppy pads, and toys.

She looks so cute! I think she likes her room!

ottoluv

Posted : 12/3/2007 8:12:25 PM

Wow, that's a great room ;) I'm sure it will work out!

Timbersmom

Posted : 12/4/2007 12:41:18 AM

it looks like the room is a great solution to your problem. I agree with getting a baby gate though. I don't know if you can find tall ones in the stores but foster and smith has one.

willowchow

Posted : 12/4/2007 12:47:04 AM

I got a really tall gate at Pet Supplies Plus. If you don't have one near you check the kids/baby stores like Babies R Us you could probably get the same thing cheaper. I have one that's from the baby company EvenFlow.

maizysmom

Posted : 12/4/2007 7:57:33 AM

What a nice room for Sniper---Hope it works out for you.I always leave on the radio when we're gone,just for some human voices.

GordonsGirl

Posted : 12/4/2007 9:23:59 AM

I didn't even know they made extra tall baby gates, that would be great! I just have this suspicion that she will leap the regular baby gates as soon as we leave. I also plan to get a radio and a night light in there, since by the time I get home it is dark out. And that room will definitely be filled with toys, hopefully to occupy her and distract her from trying to chew down the walls!

Janet808

Posted : 12/4/2007 12:14:57 PM

GordonsGirl
I also plan to get a radio and a night light in there

Maybe you can just leave the overhead light on in the room. The night light is going to require you to plug into an outlet and place somewhere, then your pup might chew the wire. Or if you're going to use one, I guess, if your confident enough, to use a battery operated one and put on the window sill.