Leave her all day?

[csaint]

I have a 3 month old baby, Chloe, I am currently going home for lunch to let her out. My question is how long do I have to keep doing this? I don't mind for a while but I live 20 min from work so it is killer on gas but anyway, I don't want to be mean to my baby. What do you guys think?

Carrie & Chloe

 

[SoleilBxrs]

generally her age (in months) plus one is the max you want to be leaving her. so 4hrs, hope that helps! good luck!

-Kat

 

[Super Boo]

Have you thought about day care or maybe having a petsitter come by for a while?? It may be cheaper on gas and wear & tear on you in the long run. My dogs started being able to be alone all day at about 7-8 mos. Now at 11 mos & 2 years--they are so good I don't even have to crate them anymore.

 

[boxbud]

Toby started to do well in the crate for my work day- 3 days a week at about 8 months old.
I cannot leave him alone in the house for more than 5 minutes. He will tear things up. Separation anxiety is not a pleasant thing. He is fine in the crate but not if he is allowed to roam.
I wonder if he will ever be OK alone roaming in the house.
My other boxer was fine at one year old. Left him in the house, out of the crate and never ever had a problem with him.
So, I guess each dog is different depending on their personality and situation.
Good luck.

 

[Elaine&Si]

Toby started to do well in the crate for my work day- 3 days a week at about 8 months old.
I cannot leave him alone in the house for more than 5 minutes. He will tear things up. Separation anxiety is not a pleasant thing. He is fine in the crate but not if he is allowed to roam.
I wonder if he will ever be OK alone roaming in the house.
My other boxer was fine at one year old. Left him in the house, out of the crate and never ever had a problem with him.
So, I guess each dog is different depending on their personality and situation.
Good luck.

strange how things work isn't it, our 8 month old is the total opposite, he suffered with seperation anxiety when he was in his crate, but as soon as we let him roam the house he was good as gold, has not chewed, destroyed or toileted in the house at all, just happily played with all his toys, or sometimes been asleep on our bed! He seems a much happier chap now.

 

[Cami]

At that age I was coming home for Cami no longer than every 2-3 hours while she was in the crate. Luckily my work is only minutes from home. At 9 months she earned her freedom and was able to be crate free and I lengthened the time away to 4ish hours. Now at 16 months I am confidant (if I had to), to leave her for 6 or so hours or even more but I can't seem to stay away from her for that long!

 

[rog1006]

That means she's only 12 weeks old! You have a long road ahead of you!You'll have to do it for quite a while until she can hold it a full day--that's usually about 8-9 months old. She's a baby with a little bladder...if you don't do it, she may start eliminating in her crate or inside (you didn't specify where she is being left) and that's a whole other problem you don't want to tackle. Could a neighbor you trust or a good friend come over for you and let her out for a potty break?


Christine
Boxer Luv Rescue

 

[csaint]

Thanks for your advice. I got her a bigger crate she seems to like it better. We have just started puppy kindergarden. The first night I was so embarassed, she growled and barked at all of the other dogs. She is so agressive and stuborn. I took her to play care for two days and they said she was playing better with the other dogs. I keep her crated during the day and still come home at lunch. I started keeping her leash tied to my belt when we are at home, it seems to be working. She hasn't had an accident in the house in a week. She has also learned to ring her bell to go outside, she rang it for the first time this morning!

Carrie & Chloe

 

[Adelle]

I get a pet sitter who stops by daily at lunch time for 30 minutes to let my two out to the yard for a potty break and to play. Mine are 3 and 4 years old but I don't think its fair even at that age to expect them to hold it for the full 8 - 9 hour work day.