Is it okay to leave my dog in the house (but outside her crate) while I'm at work?

Question

I have a 2 year old dog that I rescued from a shelter about 6 weeks ago. My husband and I work during the day. I make it home as often as I can, but some days she goes about 8 hours by herself. We have been keeping her in her crate, but I feel guilty about leaving her there all day. She's a very relaxed and easygoing dog, and she has proven fully housebroken. We've recently started leaving her alone confined to one room while we're gone for an hour or so, with the hope to eventually give her access to that one room for the entire day. Is this okay? Or should I keep her in the crate? She gets loads of love and attention in the evenings and during the weekend, but I often wonder the best way to keep her happy during the daytime.

Answer 1

I have had a dog that stayed in most of the time and with working around long hours, it is hard, the plan you stat sound good, In the end it can depend on the dog.
I never had a major problem with my dog as long as I kept consistent in the times I took him "out". I do suggest you take a look around your hour to sort of "dog proof" your home. (I'm sure you have but just take another look and consider you wont be home)
In the end she will be much happier to be in the home not the crate, but if you think she might be lonely try leaving an old blanket for her.

Answer 2

I have 3 dogs. In my opinion, crate training is the best way to go. First if you do not plan to breed her, get her spayed. I find that the absence of all those hormones makes things alot easier not to mention the health benefits. I don't think it will hurt to let her stay out for another couple of weeks. I feel the key to house training a dog is to monitor them constantly, feed them at the same times every day. We get up at 6am go out, they are in the crate for 3 hours while I'm taking the children to school. I'm home at 8:30 and they go out again etc...As soon as you let them out of the crate, I say "Lets go Pee" and they all 3 go running for the door. Expect accidents and be consistent. Hope it goes well and good luck

Answer 3

Leaving her in or out of the crate is going to be entirely at your own discretion. If you feel that your dog is doing well enough to be left out of her crate, then by all means do so.

Taking things one step at a time is generally a good idea, and you seem to be on the right track. Try leaving her confined to one room while you're gone for a week and see what happens. If she begins having accidents, becomes destructive, or you get complaints of her barking all day, you may need to try the crate again for awhile until she becomes a bit more accustomed to life at your home. Another good option would be to move her crate into the room she will be spending her time in, and leaving the door open so she can retreat into her safe place when she wishes to.

If all goes well in the single room and you feel comfortable allowing her more access to the house, gradually start allowing her access into more and more rooms. If you ever get caught in a bind, just back up a few steps and then continue again.

Good luck and hope this helps!

IMPORTANT EDIT: Never leave water with your dog in her crate! The main reason most people crate train their dogs is to prevent them from using the bathroom in the rest of the house. The dog does not want to use the bathroom in her crate because it should only be large enough for her to lay down stretched out, stand up, and turn around. They don't want to have to potty and lay in it (would you?).

When dogs get bored and have access to food and water, they will eat and drink for the heck of it. If you leave water in your dog's crate with her during the day, she will likely drink and drink and drink--and then have to potty and not be able to go for several hours. Talk about torturing your dog!

Also, rawhide and other natural bone products (including pigs ears and hooves) can be dangerous to your dog. Small pieces can be broken off and choked on and sharp or pointy edges can pierce the inside of a dog's mouth or their intestines. When your dog gets down to the end of a rawhide, they sometimes try to stick the whole thing in their mouth, increasing the chance that they will choke on it. Be very VERY cautious about leaving your dog home alone with rawhide or other alike substances.

Answer 4

Why have a dog just to keep it locked up in a crate. thats terrible Crates are meant for training purposes not as a daily home or a way of life for a dog..You know your dog best. Theres no reason why you can not let your dog have free run of a room or the full house for that matter. if you feel the dog will be fine then it will be. Give it a try and see.

Answer 5

The reasons to keep it crated would be if you don't trust the dog not to use the restroom, or if the dog chews on things. Many people will say it is cruel to leave them crated, i think it is not because(I know yours isn't a puppy this is an example) they can get loose and tear up things including an electrical cord that is still plugged in.

If you trust the dog will not do these things then just leave it plenty of things to play with and you can leave treats around like a treasure hunt in areas it does not have to tear up to get it. good luck

Answer 6

I rescued my dog as well. Kudos to you for that!
It really depends on the dog. What is her temperment? Does she chew? My dog chewed the cable wires once and got a really dangerous shock. You could begin with her in the crate but gradually decrease her time in the crate. Can you come home in the middle of the day to walk her? Maybe then you could leave her out for the afternoon. I'd also make sure she has plenty of toys to play with.

Answer 7

I would feel pretty bad keeping my dog locked in a crate all day. I left my Shepard in a crate for the 1st few day after I rescued her, but as we got to know each other that changed. She had the run of the Apartment. She did mess up the window blinds because she put her head in the window. When she was waiting for me to get home, It was fine when I started to leave them up.

Answer 8

most dogs will be perfectly fine if left in the crate while you are at work. and since she stayed at the shelter she is probably somewhat used to it, an issue i would consider is access to water. you can buy a large water bottle (similar to ones used for hamsters, etc but bigger and clip it to the crate. i would be afraid if left to roam the house she could get into something such as cleaning products etc. if she isnt destructive or using the bathroom then leaving her in a room should be fine.. if your worried about her being bored give her some toys/chewies and leave the tv or radio on. make sure she always has access to water, especially if your going to give her rawhides, bones, etc.

Answer 9

Is there any way that you could have a secure indoor/outdoor run constructed for her for while you're at work during the day? Maybe off of your garage, with a kennel inside the garage, dog door, and a second kennel (six feet high, ten feet long, five feet wide) and very secure with a padlock on it, outside, so she could go in and out during the day as needed?

My second piece of advice would be to look into 'doggie day-care' at the local kennels, vets, obedience, and boarding facilities. She'd have a GREAT time and you'd feel safe about leaving her during the day!

Answer 10

It depends on the dog. You could certainly do a trial run. Let her out and go to the market (a short trip). My dog does well confined to one room but when she has full access to the entire house she eats garbage. Separation anxiety. I could be asleep for 10 hours and as long as I'm in the house she's a good girl.