Isn't being in a crate for 4-5 hours, with only room to stand and turn around, really boring??

Question

I am just trying to imagine being a puppy, and how boring that would be?? For those who crate train PUPPIES for 4-5 hours while you're at work, how have you found it? Do you leave water in the crate?

Answer 1

We didnt leave water because that just makes them need to go to the bathroom and since you have a puppy, I am sure you are alos trying to train them to go outside. Give them water before the crate and make sure they get outside a lot. The crate can become a safe place for the dog once it gets older. My dog use to go in there to sleep because she knew everyone would leave her alone. When she outgrew the crate and we had to put it away it took her a few days to adjust to not having it.

Answer 2

It is sad. Why have a puppy just to keep it in the crate for the day???? They are safe, but they are bored!!! There are no toys that keep a puppy entertained for 4-5 hours!!!!!!
It is one thing to crate train the dog for the night time ( although you still have to get up 1-2 times to take it out) or to crate train for the times that you will not be home...like when shopping or errands. But to expect that most every day the puppy will stay in a crate for hours is very sad.
Get a cat instead!!!!!!!

Answer 3

My hound used to DESTROY my house while I was at work... I started crate training him, and I would put in blankets, a pillow, a few toys (2-4), and water. (he would always be fed before I would put him in the crate) After a few months, he stopped being bad while I was at work so, I stopped putting him in the crate. (also we have another dog now, and I think they keep each other company while I am gone, so there is no need to destroy, cause with another dog around he doesn't get bored and destructive) But when I did put him in the crate, I would always leave the T.V. on so that he would feel like someone is home... not just sitting in his crate in silence... the t.v. really helped with him not feeling alone.

Answer 4

I don't think dogs should be in a crate for that amount of time. I understand if you don't want your puppy chewing everything up while you go grocery shopping or to run an errand (1 hour or so) but I think any longer than that is kind of mean. It's like putting a toddler in time out for 4-5 hours. They don't understand. I think if you have a puppy, you should have the time to devote to training them and loving them. In my opinion, it takes a good 6 weeks of daily consistent effort to fully train a puppy.

Answer 5

Don't worry about it too much. When dogs get bored, they just take a nap. Older puppies can be in a crate for 4-5 hrs with no problem. Rememer, this is a temporary thing. When they get old enough, they will have the run of the house. And mine just pick out a couch or bed and nap when I am gone.

Answer 6

You should NOT put water in the crate with a puppy. I fills their blatter and forces them to pee where they lay. Crate training is a great tool for potty training and all other training. Dogs don't need that much water. No food either. Toys are good, but they shouldn't have enough room to play with them. I crate trained my dog, she only needed it for a year. After that she was so well trained, I didn't need it any more.

Answer 7

Puppies/dogs are only supposed to be in a crate at night or for an hour or so at a time, any longer and they get a little nutty. They should also have plenty of toys and water.

Answer 8

My parents leave food and water in their dogs crate. Until they moved into a larger house. There was a small small room in the house that had a door that locked and they turned it into a dog room, with toys and food and water and a doggy bed. Their dogs like that room much better that the crate.

Answer 9

yes,water and food.. you give them toys and things to do..puppies sleep most of the time anyway.. my dogs all have been crate trained,but you slowly introduce them to the crate..you don't just throw them in there and say here you go!!it takes time for a puppy to go in the crate on its own..but its very good way to train a dog..

Answer 10

take the pup and run it around etc before you crate it..perhaps being tired will help. make sure they potty before putting them in . unless your house is hot..or you are going to be away really long..no water that can be tipped over. you could get a steel bucket they use a lot in crates and attach it to the side with a snap..that way it cannot be overturned.