Leaving puppy in kitchen while at work?

Question

My husband and I have decided to leave our 10 week old in the kitchen if he has to be alone for more than a few hours. This is day #1. We've only had him for 5 days and potty training is going pretty good.
There was only one other day this week where he had to be home alone, so we crated him. I came home about 5 hours later, yes, this was too long. He had peed in his crate. We actually don't like the crate idea too much, unless he only has to go in for 2-3 hours or so. He's even been sleeping with us.

Anyway, I'm rambling. My QUESTION is: did we "set up" the kitchen correctly? I left water out for him in one area, toys & chew toys in another (actually by the baby gate that blocks him from the house) and a potty pad in another area. We put the potty pad on top of a black garbage bag-for extra protecion I guess. We also put some newspaper around it so that might help him go over there. (he used newspaper to potty in inside at his previous home) Abt 10 hrs. he'll be there

Also, sorry-this is a dumb ? I'm sure-
He's only had accidents on the carpet, so I blotted it w/ paper towel and used carpet cleaner w/ paper towel to blot and clean it up. What do I clean the kitchen floor with? Just my regular hard surface cleaner?

Answer 1

It sounds like you thought of everything but dont be surprised if the potty training takes a few steps back for a little while. Setting up a place that gives the pup permission to go in the house can backfire but if you have no choice (ie; no trusted friends or family close by to come and take pup for a potty break) then it sounds as though youve done it right. Just dont be too upset with pup if he decides to use the spot again in a pinch.
P.S. Make sure that all the cabinets that have anything dangerous in them (chemicals etc.) are secure because puppies with too much time on their hands can be very good at figuring out how to get them open and you wouldnt want him to get into something poisonous. Best of luck. Sounds like pup found a good home! As for the floor if its solid surface just use regular cleaner, if their is grout I usually recommend spraying the grout with some sort of pet scent remover just to be sure. Since grout is porous the upine odor can stay in it if you dont do this.

Answer 2

Wow, lots of questions. I foster for an animal rescue group, and when I get puppies, I do the very same thing. The kitchen becomes the puppy den. You have it set up just fine for him, as you are correct that he is not old enough to hold his bladder for very long at this point. The only problems I have encountered, is that I had a pup that would rather chew up the puppy pads than pee on them, so keep in mind that anything on the floor is fair game as far as they are concerned. Make very sure that he can't get any lower cabinet doors open and get to what is inside. I would also have the crate in the kitchen, and put his bedding in the crate. You may not like the idea of it, but your dog does. He will like a smaller place where he can feel safe. The crate in essence becomes his bedroom and his haven. For clean up, do not, I repeat, do not use any swiffer jet (or similar) products. They contain something similar to antifreeze, and it has been shown that when the dogs lick their paws, and ingest the fluid, (even if the floor is dry, there is a residue) it will start shutting down the dogs liver and there is no reversing this process, the dog dies. With that said, I use simple good old bleach, 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. It will clean the area, and also destroy any bacteria. Enjoy your new dog!

Answer 3

The crate would be best, but NOT for ten hours. I hope this is not a regular thing, because the pup will soon become destructive due to boredom. The kitchen is a better place for him than a crate if you have to leave for that long. Do realize though that training him to use the puppy pads will usually make outdoor training harder. The pup gets used to doing one thing, now he is told to do another. Leave a tv or radio on for too. If you can, have someone come during the time you are gone to check on him. He may be scared to be left alone and may cry a lot when you are gone. I'm glad the dog is sleeping with you. He needs LOTS of love and attention.

Answer 4

ok- like other people who have answered, I agree-a new puppy should not be left alone all day. I too agree with crate training, it is the best, safest and you will be so thankful later..trust me.
If you use crate training you can put the crate anywhere. Rule of thumb- new puppy 8 wks(2mths) should be taken out of the crate and outside every 2-3 hours, CONSISTENTLY for 'potty'. Trust me it works. No water after 7pm will help also. It takes consistent effort and time on your part to do this at first. If you can work out to come home every 3 hours between you and someone else in the home, it shouldn't take long for the puppy to understand the routine and understand 'oh I have to go outside'.
He will learn to understand the crate is his den and SAFE place it really is the best way and benefits everyone in the home :)
Good luck

Answer 5

We seem to be in the same situation. I could've written this. We also keep our puppy baby gated in the kitchen. The crate didn't work well for us either. Their bladders are small so rule of thumb is 3 month old....3 hours, 4 month old... 4 hours. etc etc. That being how long they should be able to "hold it". One of the dog books I read it said not to leave them too much water as the more they drink the more they will pee. Makes sense to me. I also use the pee pads and am having great sucess with them. He's 8 1/2 mos old now and amazingly he's been able to hold it for 10 hours most days. I had been using the garbage bags under the pee pads but I switched to a dollar store clear shower curtain. It's a little thicker, you can fold it to the size you want and it can be washed in the washing machine. You seem to be doing everything right to my way of thinking. Good Luck.
P.S. If your dog is a Yorkie this will really freak me out. lol

Answer 6

he should be alright in the kitchen, but make sure all the other doors are shut around it. He may learn to jump over the object blocking an exit. unless it is a door. Also put all food away, make sure it is very clean. and have newspaper and have his trained to go potty there. You have to have chewies for him so he doesn't chew any food. And other toys to play with and i comfy bed. Sounds like a lot, but if he will be there for 10 hrs. He will be running around the kitchen sleeping, going to the bathroom, playing, chewing. eating, and being bored. Maybe have a neighbor check in on him once in a while.

What's the dog name? I love doggies!

Answer 7

I like crate training myself, but I understand about peeing in the crate...our Great Dane puppy did that (I just cleaned the crate...to big to keep behind a baby gate)....the only question is: is the baby gate a cheap plastic one? if so, don't expect the puppy to be in the kitchen for long! I used one with my 11 yr old (when a puppy) rotti and he chewed through it! My neighbors Jack Russell went through two! Get a metal one!

Answer 8

Yes, it will make clean up easier if there is an accident, but keep in mind if there is anything in there that can be chewed on he will find it. Sometimes toys aren't enough in a puppy's mind, he will find cabinet corners and so on..Perhaps trying to stick with crate training is best, if not just be patient and he'll get it after a while.

Answer 9

I think he should be alright in the kitchen! However, Crate training is the best training for your dog's discipline. If you do ever decide to use the crate again, the crate should never be big enough for the dog to pee at one end and sleep in the other. Dogs hate having pee on them as much as humans do so if there isn't the room for it, they usually won't pee. It also helps with the bladder control and holding it for longer periods of time.

Answer 10

we did crate training for our dog, and it worked out great....he doesn't mind going in it. which is great, cause when we go out of town my mom takes him, and he has to sleep in a crate at night there...so it's good that he likes it....

someone else mentioned the chewing....our dog actually chewed the corner off of our kitchen cabinets...we kept him in the kitchen during the day for a bit when we were training him...the rest of the house was carpeted...and when he got bored he'd chew on things....and he got in the garbage once and had stuff everywhere....

but - we've found that the crate worked the best