Crating question.

[C&G's momma]

I crate Gunny and Champ for 8 hours while I am at work. Both have rabbit water bottles, but I do not leave food. Neither one of them seems to mind. I have never used the crate for punishment, so they both think of it has a safe place or their bedroom I guess. I feel bad about having to do it, but I wouldn't have a house to come home to if I didn't. On the weekends, I still crate for a short length of time during the day just to keep them in the routine.

Debbie

 

[WeLoveDuke]

I really do think we believe it's much worse for them than it really is. Their crates become their dens and, if trained properly, they love their dens! Humans look at it like a "cage," which has negative connotations, but the pups don't see it that way!

We crate Duke while we're at work. He likes to chase the kitties, and he's only 6 mos. We're hoping that at a yr. he can start staying out (he has stayed out when we run quick errands!). He goes in at 6:45, my husband lets him out for an hour at 11:30 and then I let him out for good when I get home around 3:30 or 4. However, before my husband was able to go home for lunch, he'd be in there most of the day (with a potty break around 9). He occasionally had an accident (however, when we removed the blanket from the kennel, that stopped!).

 

[JohnHigh]

I agree, the crate is not necessarily bad for the dog, and we humans tend to think it's worse than it really is. We originally tried to pen Bella in an open pen/cage. The crate was there for her to go in/out (with a bed), and the pen was our rationale for an area for her "mistakes" while we were gone. Truth was that Bella freaked out in the pen, and would tear it up. She eventually got big enough to jump out (even at 3-4 mo's old), and she then proceeded to tear up the house. All advices given was to confine the dog, not give space. So we tried the crate. She only messed it up once, now she's staying there during the day without any mess (when she's not at doggie daycare playing). We do leave some toys for her security, a kong with goodies, and we leave the TV on (she loves Home & Garden channel), and usually she's asleep all day. She wakes up when we get home and she is very anxious to get out. That's when things really get 'cute'

 

[bobomom]

water

I have a 9 mo old boxer who is crated. I admit we have kept him in his crate to much but are in the process of finding a trainer to come help us work with him. As far as the water goes- I tried the self feeder ( bunny- water ) it was a mess. After paying 15.00 for the waterer- it was all over my carpet every day and night. They leak, and when the dog is excited it is worse. I purchased a stainless steel bowl (very heavy) with a rubber bottom- put it near the door of the crate (inside) so I had easy access, and have had no problems .

 

[Bogey&me]

Crate

I leave Bogey (he's 1yr old tomorrow) in the crate while I'm at work as well. I feel the same way most of you do. Sometimes when I leave I just feel terrible, but I've come to realize that it is best (safest) for them.

I left him in the front room once four about 4 hours, which has a bed and two dressers and that's it, no wires or blinds he can get to. I came home to the biggest mess I'd ever seen. All the sheets, bedspread and pillows had been torn off the bed he marked the bed twice and left me a nice little present in the corner. I was mad but I couldn't help but laugh, after I told him he was bad and put him outside. After that I knew he be crated for a while.

Even though you think they are the smartest little angel in the world, given the chance or after getting bored there's no telling what they can get in to. Usually when I'm in the shower I let him run around down stairs. He normally goes in the front room and lays on the bed to look out the window. Well, when I got out of the shower he wasn't in the front room so I went upstairs in the computer room. I *had* a really nice pair or computer headphones which he had previously shown no interest in. He must have gotten bored and decided to chew on them. Now all the doors are closed to every room except the front room.

I leave him is food, if he hasn't already eaten it before I go to work, toys, a kong with penut butter and a few liver treats stuffed in the bottom of the kong, and a bowl of water, which, thank goodness he hasn't turned over yet.

Your baby will eventually get used to it.

Once small piece of advise is to never use the crate as punishment. You want her to think of the crate a a "den" and not a place she's put when she's been bad.

Hang in there it'll get better

Bogey's Dad