Over-Crating

[mnlee]

I'm concerned that we may be over-crating our new puppy. We leave him in the crate during the day (with a break during lunch) and night and often times while we get dressed in the morning. Is this too much crating for such a young puppy? Will this affect his personality in the future and response towards us. He hates the crate but I try to make it a very positive experience (although he doesn't agree) by soothing him, putting in a kong and other toys. Also when he starts nipping and acting too wild, he has a time out in the crate. Any guidance will be appreciated.

 

[gmacleod]

I think that's a fair concern. How many hours a day does that all add up to?

What you also have to consider though, is what other options you have. Is it feasible to leave him uncrated during the day? Or at night? If so, then it's probably a good idea. But if it's not yet feasible, then you just need to keep working toward the time when it is.

 

[Angie35]

I'm concerned that we may be over-crating our new puppy. We leave him in the crate during the day (with a break during lunch) and night and often times while we get dressed in the morning. Is this too much crating for such a young puppy? Will this affect his personality in the future and response towards us. He hates the crate but I try to make it a very positive experience (although he doesn't agree) by soothing him, putting in a kong and other toys. Also when he starts nipping and acting too wild, he has a time out in the crate. Any guidance will be appreciated.

Jessie is crated for the day while my boyfriend are at work, he gets home at 5:30 and i get home at 6:30. My mom or my friend will come over and feed and play with her for about an hour.

 

[pmari3]

Instead of crating in the morning while you are getting ready for work, can you just gate him in the same room with you and some of his toys, preferably the ones that you don't want to leave with him in his crate during the day?

I know that is probably only a limited amount of time, but I think every little bit helps

 

[Jpep]

One good thing about puppies is they tire easy. If you could spend an extra 15mins of playtime in morning, he'd probably sleep or chew on kong for a few hours then if someone plays with him at lunch and tires him out he should be fine until 5:30. The prob is you'll probably have numerous accidents in crate if left for over 5 hours at a young age. ALso maybe for discipline reasons you could give him his timeouts elsewhere so he doesn't associate the crate with any punishment.

 

[gunnarboy]

gunnar has been left in the crate from 10:30 am to about 6 with a break in the day(when he was smaller) and we have had no problems with it. we started that when we first got him and he got used to it in no time. so now when i go to work i grab my keys and he goes right in. we are slowly starting to teach him to be out when we are gone. we only leave for like 15 minutes at a time.

one thing i dont agree with is putting him in the crate when he is bad because i want the crate to be a positive place for him, he will want to be in it for his "safety comfort" area.

 

[DixiesMomma]

Dixie is left in her crate during the day from about 7:45 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. We go to bed around 10:00 p.m. and she goes straight to her crate to sleep. She is always out of her crate when I am home though. I started doing that the day that I brought her home. I guess she has gotten used to it, as it's her 'safe haven' now. She even goes in it when she gets mad at me, LOL!

She used to fuss when she was very small. I thought that she would never adjust and I would feel so bad for leaving her in there while I was at work and the kids were at school. She's 6 months old now and she's adapted to it - she loves her crate. I hope that helps you.