During the day?

[Karen J.]

Apollo is crated during the day (about 10 hours). Either I go home at lunch and feed and walk him or his dog walker comes over. She either feeds and walks him or brings his buddies over and he plays with them for an hour. We can really tell the difference when he's had his friends over to play - he's much calmer at night. We've stopped crating on the weekends except when we're gone. We used to try to keep him on some schedule to get him used to the crate. It's apparent that he sleeps most of the day in the crate because on weekends he is so tired at night from not napping! I think he looks forward to Monday morning and crate time so he can rest up from the weekend.

 

[McGehee1]

I've finally graduated my two to be gated in the kitchen starting about 2 months ago and they've been great. The crates are still in the kitchen as well and 9 times out of 10 we find them...in their crates!

 

[KarenD]

Well, I know how you feel. We ended up getting a second boxer as soon as we got a house and that solved the guilt problem.

But when I lived in an apartment with Rocky, I didn't crate him. I put gates up and puppy proofed the place so that he could walk around. I left some calm music on or the TV. I didn't go out at night unless I could bring Rocky with me, and besides work, he came EVERYWHERE I went. So I know how you feel about feeling guilty. I've never used dog walkers but I know quite a few people who use them without problems.

Don't feel too guilty, you sound like a great owner!

 

[avts1977]

When I was in school, I felt guilty about crating Cheyenne all day while I was gone. But now I'm at home, I realize how much time she (and Winston) spend sleeping!! So all it really does is provide a bed for them to do it all day!

 

[Aimee]

At one year old, a crate is an essential At 5,5, and 8 mine have run of the house but that took a very long time to accomplish. Lexi was 4 before she was completely trustworthy :eek: For the most part they always do well unless of course DADDY forgets and leaves something out.