Is 8 hours a day too long to crate?
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sharron
Boxer Booster
Is 8 hours too long to crate?
Hi everyone!
Boy is this a hot topic! I've had 6 boxers myself and have never owned a crate, but back when I had my first boxers, no one had crates, they are a fairly new thing. My husband and I both worked all day and we had, at different times, up to 3 boxers at home. We always kept them locked in a room that was baby proofed and never really had too many problems. Sometimes they did become a little too rambunctious and could cause problems though!
I never believed that crating was a good idea, I was from the old school, train them well and they will behave. Well, I know people that crate and their dogs LOVE their little homes and will go in there even when their people are home. So, even though I don't crate, Duquessa will not go in one, I don't think that it's much different then leaving them alone all day in a room. We always walked our dogs for about an hour when we got home from work and then again before bed. Anyway, I think that everyone has their own way of doing things and it's ok, as long as the dogs are happy and healthy and well loved.
Anyway, I just thought that I'd get my opinion in there. I don't think that crating is cruel, just different from what some of us are used to.
Hi everyone!
Boy is this a hot topic! I've had 6 boxers myself and have never owned a crate, but back when I had my first boxers, no one had crates, they are a fairly new thing. My husband and I both worked all day and we had, at different times, up to 3 boxers at home. We always kept them locked in a room that was baby proofed and never really had too many problems. Sometimes they did become a little too rambunctious and could cause problems though!
I never believed that crating was a good idea, I was from the old school, train them well and they will behave. Well, I know people that crate and their dogs LOVE their little homes and will go in there even when their people are home. So, even though I don't crate, Duquessa will not go in one, I don't think that it's much different then leaving them alone all day in a room. We always walked our dogs for about an hour when we got home from work and then again before bed. Anyway, I think that everyone has their own way of doing things and it's ok, as long as the dogs are happy and healthy and well loved.
Anyway, I just thought that I'd get my opinion in there. I don't think that crating is cruel, just different from what some of us are used to.
Crates
I would rather see a Boxer or any dog crated for 8-9 hours in a good home with plenty of loving when the owner returns from work than being in a shelter or euthanized.
I have had many babies and never had a one who seemed to mind the crate. The were well adjusted and when old enough never slept in the crate at night.
It is an invaluable tool, in my opinion for housebreaking, safety (the pets and owners) and time out space when a pup doesn't behave.
We use it with a 9 month old who gets a bit too agressive in playing and would prefer your hand, arm or toes to a chew toy.
In an ideal world no baby human or four legged should have to be away from its mother that long...but we live in a society where both parents have to work.
I would rather see a Boxer or any dog crated for 8-9 hours in a good home with plenty of loving when the owner returns from work than being in a shelter or euthanized.
I have had many babies and never had a one who seemed to mind the crate. The were well adjusted and when old enough never slept in the crate at night.
It is an invaluable tool, in my opinion for housebreaking, safety (the pets and owners) and time out space when a pup doesn't behave.
We use it with a 9 month old who gets a bit too agressive in playing and would prefer your hand, arm or toes to a chew toy.
In an ideal world no baby human or four legged should have to be away from its mother that long...but we live in a society where both parents have to work.
Crate Talk
Hi, everyone...I'm new to this board and to Boxer ownership (our buddy's name is Dexter, and he is 8 1/2 weeks old). I'm confused by the crate debate and don't know what to do about it. Both my girlfriend and I work all day, and we're looking for a solution to the "home alone" dilemma. We have a crate, and we put him in there for the first time for a few minutes yesterday while we were home for lunch. He screamed, cried, barked, and, it seemed, panicked. We quickly gave in and let him out, unable to take our buddy's desparate grief. My girlfriend and I went back to work broken-hearted and feeling that we'd traumatized Dexter. We need guidance on the crate issue. To this point, when we go to work, we've been putting him in the kitchen and barricading him in. He's now gotten out twice (chewed his way through a hamper to do so)and wreaked general havoc around the place while we were gone. So, we thought we'd give the crate a try...until we read this discussion, and now we are more confused than before. We do come home for lunch everyday and play with him, feed him, take him outside, etc. So, the question is: crate or kitchen? And, if crate, does anyone have suggestions, so it isn't so traumatic for Dexter (we feed him in the crate, and I've started playing with him in there) and us? Talk to ya'll later...Bunkie
Hi, everyone...I'm new to this board and to Boxer ownership (our buddy's name is Dexter, and he is 8 1/2 weeks old). I'm confused by the crate debate and don't know what to do about it. Both my girlfriend and I work all day, and we're looking for a solution to the "home alone" dilemma. We have a crate, and we put him in there for the first time for a few minutes yesterday while we were home for lunch. He screamed, cried, barked, and, it seemed, panicked. We quickly gave in and let him out, unable to take our buddy's desparate grief. My girlfriend and I went back to work broken-hearted and feeling that we'd traumatized Dexter. We need guidance on the crate issue. To this point, when we go to work, we've been putting him in the kitchen and barricading him in. He's now gotten out twice (chewed his way through a hamper to do so)and wreaked general havoc around the place while we were gone. So, we thought we'd give the crate a try...until we read this discussion, and now we are more confused than before. We do come home for lunch everyday and play with him, feed him, take him outside, etc. So, the question is: crate or kitchen? And, if crate, does anyone have suggestions, so it isn't so traumatic for Dexter (we feed him in the crate, and I've started playing with him in there) and us? Talk to ya'll later...Bunkie
Jaelle
Completely Boxer Crazy
Hi Bunkie! I'm will give you my opinion about your situation and crating. As your baby is out at lunch time and he's not alone for a very long time, I would choose to crate him, as it's more secure and easier to potty train him. On week-end, try to put him in the crate for small period of time, when he is sleepy. Let the door open at first, and close it after three or for times. Put the crate not to far away from you, so he can feel your presence. I put a blanket on my crate because my Pénéloppe was crying a lot when she sees me, and she's more calm that way. And if he cries, don't let him out even if it breaks your heart, because as boxer are very intelligent dogs, he will understand very fast that more he cries, more fast you let him out 
. You can try with a treat or a special toy that he have only in the crate. It's normal that he cries at first, but my now ten weeks old boxer is now doing well in her crate, sleeping most of the time (I crate her almost only at nigth, I'm home all day, lucky Pénéloppe!) or chewing her bone. A thing she likes a lot too is a kind of ball with a hole in the middle to put treat, I bought it at the petshop and it keep her occupied for a while, trying to get out the treat. Good luck, and give me news!
. You can try with a treat or a special toy that he have only in the crate. It's normal that he cries at first, but my now ten weeks old boxer is now doing well in her crate, sleeping most of the time (I crate her almost only at nigth, I'm home all day, lucky Pénéloppe!) or chewing her bone. A thing she likes a lot too is a kind of ball with a hole in the middle to put treat, I bought it at the petshop and it keep her occupied for a while, trying to get out the treat. Good luck, and give me news!8 hour crating
I appreciate your concern. Our boxer went to work with us until he was about 6 months old. We crated him some of the time, but mostly only at night. After a job change, we started leaving him at home, and he stayed in the yard.
When he was almost one, he had to have surgery, and we had to crate him for a month, but we keep crating him after that because we didn;t want him to reinjure himself - which he did anyway - not long after he had to have repeat surgery, and this time he had to be crated ALL THE TIME and only got necessary breaks on leash to relieve himself. He got NO excercise!
Shortly after he got clearance from the vet to resume light exercise, my daughter had surgery, and I was home with her (and the dog) for a month. Any concerns I had that crating was cruel were disappated within the week!
The first 3 days he slept next to her bed. Once she got better, he started sleeping - you guessed it - in his crate. ALL DAY LONG. The door was open and he was free to sleep anywhere, but he slept all day in his crate.
Now we come home when we can to say hi, let him out. Somedays we can't. EVERYDAY we have a ritual when we get home, and he gets exercise. He is happy, well adjusted, well exercised and crating has not hurt him one bit. In fact, when its bedtime, he opens the door and puts himself to bed. He is 17 months old now, and has been crated for 5 months now, from about 830 am to around 430 or 5 pm.
So as long as you aren't ignoring your precious pup when you are home, everything should be **OK**
I appreciate your concern. Our boxer went to work with us until he was about 6 months old. We crated him some of the time, but mostly only at night. After a job change, we started leaving him at home, and he stayed in the yard.
When he was almost one, he had to have surgery, and we had to crate him for a month, but we keep crating him after that because we didn;t want him to reinjure himself - which he did anyway - not long after he had to have repeat surgery, and this time he had to be crated ALL THE TIME and only got necessary breaks on leash to relieve himself. He got NO excercise!
Shortly after he got clearance from the vet to resume light exercise, my daughter had surgery, and I was home with her (and the dog) for a month. Any concerns I had that crating was cruel were disappated within the week!
The first 3 days he slept next to her bed. Once she got better, he started sleeping - you guessed it - in his crate. ALL DAY LONG. The door was open and he was free to sleep anywhere, but he slept all day in his crate.
Now we come home when we can to say hi, let him out. Somedays we can't. EVERYDAY we have a ritual when we get home, and he gets exercise. He is happy, well adjusted, well exercised and crating has not hurt him one bit. In fact, when its bedtime, he opens the door and puts himself to bed. He is 17 months old now, and has been crated for 5 months now, from about 830 am to around 430 or 5 pm.
So as long as you aren't ignoring your precious pup when you are home, everything should be **OK**
Jaelle
Completely Boxer Crazy
I have forget to give you another trick: put a box or something else in the crate to restrain his space only to his bed and favorite blanket, he will not pee in his bed and will not have much other choice to sleep. My baby has a big pillow that she adopt and I let it in her crate, and even in the day she is going to take a nap in there. I feel very bad too at the begining to crate her, and I still when she cries, but I know that it's good for her, as I past the most part of the day with her and I can see all she can do dangerous... I'm waiting from some news from you, and if you want to share some puppie story...
B
Brenda & Jeff
Guest
It's up to you
Well, lots to be said for both sides of the issue. I honestly do not believe in crating. I have three boxers, 2 1/2, 4 1/2, and 6 1/2 years old. They have never been crated or in a kennel. The only time they have been "caged" is for neutering at the vet. Yes, I have had accidents, and my husband (lately with three) gets a little stressed - but he is the first one home. We are also lax in the fact that they are allowed on the couch and sleep on the bed at night - but that is our choice. However, a puppy needs a lot of love and attention and training.
I can agree with the logic of crating if there is no other choice, and that it is only during the day and not night time as well. We have a separate porch (10 x 12) that we can keep them in, which we did when our youngest was a puppy. For the most part we close the bedroom and bathroom doors and let them hang out during the day. Usually they are sleeping with eachother in front of the wood stove.
I guess my advice would be if you could let your puppy stay in a room that is basically durable do so. (our porch has commercial grade carpet now, but had linoleum with washable throw rugs, their food dishes, and beds). If you need to crate that's ok, but as the others wrote, spend the first half hour or so when you get home with them - not making dinner or your own needs, he has been in there for NINE hours and deserves your attention. Also make sure that you can come right home and not make the time more than necessary. Keep him out at night as well, close you bedroom door and put a bed on the floor for him (papers down if you feel it is necessary).
As he gets older, try letting him in the house for an hour or so while you run to the store and see how he does. Experiment and you will find a happy solution.
Well, lots to be said for both sides of the issue. I honestly do not believe in crating. I have three boxers, 2 1/2, 4 1/2, and 6 1/2 years old. They have never been crated or in a kennel. The only time they have been "caged" is for neutering at the vet. Yes, I have had accidents, and my husband (lately with three) gets a little stressed - but he is the first one home. We are also lax in the fact that they are allowed on the couch and sleep on the bed at night - but that is our choice. However, a puppy needs a lot of love and attention and training.
I can agree with the logic of crating if there is no other choice, and that it is only during the day and not night time as well. We have a separate porch (10 x 12) that we can keep them in, which we did when our youngest was a puppy. For the most part we close the bedroom and bathroom doors and let them hang out during the day. Usually they are sleeping with eachother in front of the wood stove.
I guess my advice would be if you could let your puppy stay in a room that is basically durable do so. (our porch has commercial grade carpet now, but had linoleum with washable throw rugs, their food dishes, and beds). If you need to crate that's ok, but as the others wrote, spend the first half hour or so when you get home with them - not making dinner or your own needs, he has been in there for NINE hours and deserves your attention. Also make sure that you can come right home and not make the time more than necessary. Keep him out at night as well, close you bedroom door and put a bed on the floor for him (papers down if you feel it is necessary).
As he gets older, try letting him in the house for an hour or so while you run to the store and see how he does. Experiment and you will find a happy solution.
Titus-n-me
Boxer Pal
crating at night
When you have awaken to a dog who has tinkled (or worse) on your bed in the middle of the night because he wouldn't wake you up- then you can tell me again it's ok to leave your dogs unattended and not in a crate at night. Leaving a dog uncrated takes trust and training- both of which I don't believe you can have in a young puppy. Titus would refuse to mess in his "den" when he was a puppy and would make all kinds of noise to wake me so I could let him out to potty at night. This helped train him during the day also. I know that my Titus would have gotten himself in soooo much trouble had he not been crated at night when he was a puppy.
I work as a pet groomer and I can tell you how frustrating it is when a dog is terrified of a crate. Dogs who are used to their crates at home are less stressed when they need to be placed in one either at the groomer's or at the vet's. Comfort comes from knowing that a crate is a good thing.
As for making a dog spend hours upon hours in a crate- Titus doesn't mind- he actually preferrs his crate. He has peace there. It's his. As a puppy he would go to work with me and spend the majority of the time in a crate sleeping. When we got home he would play, eat, sleep, play again all before night time. Then he again would be placed into his crate for sleep at night. (*another 7-8 hours) He is a well adjusted, loving pet who was never traumatized by being in his crate for so long. I went with the rule of staying in their crate as long as their age plus 1. It worked for us. In the mornings he doesn't want to leave his crate- (it's left open now that I trust him) So tell me again it's cruel if it is his own choice?
One thing though- we have tried both types of crates- airline and open wire and he hates airline crates- he has to be able to see what is around him. Wire crates are the best for this.
When you have awaken to a dog who has tinkled (or worse) on your bed in the middle of the night because he wouldn't wake you up- then you can tell me again it's ok to leave your dogs unattended and not in a crate at night. Leaving a dog uncrated takes trust and training- both of which I don't believe you can have in a young puppy. Titus would refuse to mess in his "den" when he was a puppy and would make all kinds of noise to wake me so I could let him out to potty at night. This helped train him during the day also. I know that my Titus would have gotten himself in soooo much trouble had he not been crated at night when he was a puppy.
I work as a pet groomer and I can tell you how frustrating it is when a dog is terrified of a crate. Dogs who are used to their crates at home are less stressed when they need to be placed in one either at the groomer's or at the vet's. Comfort comes from knowing that a crate is a good thing.
As for making a dog spend hours upon hours in a crate- Titus doesn't mind- he actually preferrs his crate. He has peace there. It's his. As a puppy he would go to work with me and spend the majority of the time in a crate sleeping. When we got home he would play, eat, sleep, play again all before night time. Then he again would be placed into his crate for sleep at night. (*another 7-8 hours) He is a well adjusted, loving pet who was never traumatized by being in his crate for so long. I went with the rule of staying in their crate as long as their age plus 1. It worked for us. In the mornings he doesn't want to leave his crate- (it's left open now that I trust him) So tell me again it's cruel if it is his own choice?
One thing though- we have tried both types of crates- airline and open wire and he hates airline crates- he has to be able to see what is around him. Wire crates are the best for this.
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