Full time worker

[bmturner]

I did not know where to post this so I thought this was the best place. My question is Does anyone here work full time say for 7 hours a day and leave your boxer home alone? I work a mid shift and my wife works during the day. When I sleep during the day he is in the crate as he is at night. I do get up every two to three hours to take him out. But was just asking if anyone else does this or similar to this and if not do you think it is a good idea to do this?

great question, I've struggled w/ it for awhile now. I at first thought it might be mean to leave her in a crate all day but I would have been fine if there was a seperate place to "take care of business". My solution, right or wrong I have no idea, will be to allow her free roam durring the day inside our bathroom, however the crate will be in there too w/ her bed. Hopefully this will encourage her to use the bed to sleep on and even play on but yet still allow the freedom for a little 8 week old puppy to use the bathroom outside of the crate if we can't be there. We will use puppy pads and all that stuff and hopefully it will help the housebreaking process and encourage the sleeping in her own space at night. Good luck w/ this and I'll be looking to see how it turns out for you :D

 

[Beau's Mommy]

I see nothing wrong with the way you're handling it! As long as he is getting enough exercise and potty breaks, which you seem to be doing, then he should be fine. And, contrary to a previous post, I believe it is actually better for such a young pup to be crated when it can't be watched. It's not unfair....it's keeping your baby safe.

 

[bmturner]

I see nothing wrong with the way you're handling it! As long as he is getting enough exercise and potty breaks, which you seem to be doing, then he should be fine. And, contrary to a previous post, I believe it is actually better for such a young pup to be crated when it can't be watched. It's not unfair....it's keeping your baby safe.

I was never saying that it was unfair to crate them, my only point was that a little puppy of 7-8 weeks doesn't have the bladder control to hold it for 8 hrs while we are working. As she gets older then thats one thing, but I was concerned that she would have to releive herself on her bed or right next to it, b/c she had no other option. I didn't want to force her to spend her whole day rolling in her own mess. I clearly stated that I don't know if my opinion is right or wrong, its just my opinion for now.

 

[Zannie]

3 of my dogs have free roam of the house when i'm gone but the 5 month old puppy is crated ,but no more than 5 hours at a time i go home for lunch and let the dogs romp and they romp in the am before work and he is not crated at night...to be honest with everyone i would not have a dog if they had to be crated for the whole day ,myself i don't think it is fair to the dog ,i'm not putting anyone else down for it ,its just the way i feel....

ann

 

[Sportsnutim]

I have sense I

will have the reverse problem that you have, I have almost always been with Emma because I haven't worked since we got Emma 8 months now. I am afraid if I have to go back to work or school she is going to have problems with separation anxiety. I have to start leaving her home a couple hours a day just in case. Emma's Pop

 

[kodas_pop]

if i had a choice i would rather not have my dog in a crate all day. however, she just gets too bored when people aren't around and ends up chewing things and getting herself into trouble. and she doesn't just chew...she swallows, which of course can be very dangerous. koda is 16 months old and has been crate trained from day 1. she is very comfortable in her crate. she sleeps there at night and is in there for up to 7 hours during the day while my wife and i are at work. we make sure she gets plenty of exercise and attention.

 

[Zoeys_Mom]

Zoey is crated from approximately 8am until 430 or 5pm each weekday. Most of those days, I can get home at noon to let her out for a potty break, and a mini boxer burn, but if I know I won't be able to get there, or I have to rush off to an emergency, I leave a potty pad for her (which she shreds, THEN pees on it! HAHA) But when I am home, she is totally spoiled, and I can't imagine that she sees the crate as a bad thing, becuase she goes in it on her own free will, and never complains. I think individual dogs get used to individual situations. They don't know anything else to 'compare' it to, and that is their life. As my vet keep telling me, Zoey is a happy healthy crazy boxer!