I have a 5 month old lab puppy. I go back to work in SEPt. Is 9 hours too long for her in a crate?

Question

It is oonly a question that I want an opinion on. We are thinking about a dog sitter.

Answer 1

yes...you shouldnt leave a dog for 9 hours a day alone let alone in a crate

Answer 2

Yes. Is it not even fair to ask a dog that age to spend 4 hours a day in a crate 5 days a week. A dog sitter would have to watch the dog for the day, not just come over and let the dog out once or twice.
You should not have gotten a dog if you were not going to be with it 9 hours out of the day 5 days a week. It is not fair to the dog.
Really, weekends are the times you are going to actually be with the dog. I assume you slepp at least 6 hours a night. That is 15 hours a day that you are no available. That leaves 8 hours, and not all that is going to be spent with the dog.

Answer 3

Everyone needs to relax about crates. There is NOTHING wrong with them when used properly. Our Greyhound loves his crate. He will even go in it with the door open when we're home and take naps. Crating is NOT cruel. On the contrary, if the alternative is letting the dog roam the house to eat houseplants, chew through extension cords and fall down stairs, it is the only responsible choice. Having said that, you should work up to 9 hours. Take the time between now and when you start your new job to graually increase the crate time every day, perhaps in 30 minute increments. This will a) get him used to being in the crate, and b) establish a routine for him. Both will make the transition much easier. Our guy is in his crate from 8:30 to 5:30 Monday to Friday, and most of the time when I come home, he's asleep. Good luck!

Answer 4

Crates aren't cruel, when used correctly they mimic a den, so dogs are happy to use them and get a feeling of security from them.
But 9 hours is far too long to expect 5 month old pup to wait. The problem is if you start work with her now you may get he up to 3 hours, so a sitter would still have to call twice a day.
At 6 months you can work her up to 4 hours. Thats the maximum most dogs could tolerate being left without needing some company/toilet break.

As for the advice that its ok to leave a dog as long as you give it lots of attention when you are there; that actually causes behavioural problems, as does punishing the dog when you return.
Its no good being very affectionate and getting the dog emotionally dependant on you, then going out for 9 hours. Thats when they are most likely to become destructive.
Dogs that are not emotionally dependant on their owners don't get seperation anxiety.

Answer 5

Don't listen to people on here, call a dog trainer. Most will tell you that although being in a crate would not be fun a dog can handle it as long as you give them lots of attention when you get home and only use the crate when you are at work or at night so the pup won't destroy your house. Crate Training is the best and it really works. AFter a month or two the dog will know that it must wait to go out. My dogs have all been crate trained and they still love me to death.

Answer 6

9 hours is about the outside limit for any dog to be left alone, but with the right preperation, it can be okay. That's about how long my dogs are left crated each day (more like 8 hours for us).

They get walks in the AM and training in the AM to exercise their minds. Every night, I make this vile mixture of dog kibble, water and peanut butter that I stuff into their Kongs and then freeze overnight. Before I leave for the day, they get their breakfasts (the frozen Kongs) in their crates. This gives them something to work on for a while. I also leave their favorite toys in their crates with them.

Then when I come home, they get let out to potty and then there's another walk and lots of love during the evening.

Argh, and don't listen to these fools who say that just because you wouldn't want to be in a crate for 9 hours, your dogs won't. Different situation. I mean, would you want to walk around on a leash either? Or poop outside in front of everyone? Or eat dog food? No? Well, dogs typically are quite happy doing all those things Dogs sleep about 18 hours a day and prefer to sleep in "dens". A crate is an artificial den and most dogs take to crating very happily. Plenty of people who have full time jobs have happy, healthy dogs. Can you imagine how many people would be actually able to own a dog if you had to be with the dog 24/7/365?

Answer 7

Yes 9 Hours if much too long to leave a pup alone and a crate is far too small. However, you obviously have to work and cannot take a pup with you, so if you have a garden why not put up a long line and attach the pup to it with a running noose the end of which could be attached to a harness that your pup wears. Make sure that the noose is not too short or so long that the pup can harm itself. The pup should also be able to get into a shed or large kennel for shelter from either rain or too much sun. Also do not forget to leave it enough water and food that is also kept under shelter. That way your pup will be able to get some exercise without being cramped up in a crate. It will also be able to go to the toilet without having to lay in it.

Answer 8

Omigod, I cannot believe I am reading comments from people like Tenzo0, what the heck are you thinking? There is not a vet or canine expert on earth that would recommend leaving dogs in a crate for that long! If people cannot take care of their pets in a proper, humane, loving manner they should not have them.

I have 2 Italian greyhounds and if I did crate them it would only be for a couple of hours at the most.

I think you already know the answer to this, and am glad to see you are thinking of a pet sitter. There are also doggy day cares in many places, but they can be pricey. (Worth it tho)

Answer 9

Depends on the size of the kennel (crate). I firmly believe in the kennel method of house breaking a dog. Nine hours is a stretch. Could you come home at lunch to let the puppy relieve themself. The last dog I raised was a Rottwieller and I had one of those huge cage kennels, there were times she stayed in there for 10 - 12 hours. It may seem cruel, but I believe it is truly best for all involved.
I like the sitter idea, I didn't have that option.

Answer 10

I have a lab who is now 2 yrs old. A lab in fact any dog can go for about 8 hours before needing the toilet but you should never really leave it for more then a couple of hours. Labs love company so so even leaving it in the garden will stress it out unless it has another dog for company. You will aslo find thay are very disructive and will eat EVERTHING, I have holes in my wall, cotyhing which has been chewed, you will also find it will eat stones, please keep a look out for this as if and when your dog does eat them and finds it hard to pass them he may start to leave large lakes of liquid poo around your house until he can pass the stone or worse you may need to vistit the vet. L abs are very hard work and really do need human company not long periods in a cage etc. I hope this information helps.

Answer 11

it all depends on how the dog is doing on the house breaking if you possibley have some one who could take her out. if not it could be okay i keep my two year old in the crate for 8hrs a day when we go to work, but if you think the dog will have an accident; try a pet gate in a confined area and line it with newspaper; the only problem about leaving a dog that young in a crate for that long is it might need to do its business and laying in its own feces for a while is not good.