How long is it okay to crate your dog?

Question

I have a one and a half year old chihuahua that I put in an open-style crate while I go to work. I get home during lunch and let her out, etc. How long is too long for her to be in there? I leave food and water, toys, etc. and she never has accidents but don't want to be inhumane.

Answer 1

that is perfectly ok. a normal dog can go up to a normal eight or nine hour day if necessary. but your routine is generous and healthy.

Answer 2

A crate is just another word for cage and the only way I use and think it Ok to sue a crate-Cage is when the dog is frantic scared of thunder and put in to calm and so he cnnot hurt for will pace,claw etc.As Soon as thunder is over the dog is let out and for the most approx 3/4 of a hour and then most of the time either I or my huband are with him. Since this i a small chihuahua It would be much more humane to get her a Animal Play Area for it is strong enough to keep her secure but large enough for her to walk,run around a bit,stretch play with her toys and also has plenty of room for water food etc. I have a play area with the tall panels-used to use for my guinea pig and now for my 2 pet rabbits. Can Get at Petsmart.Petco even maybe at Home Depot and Lowes. If you had friends with a responsible teen could even hire as dogwalker once a day. But to leave the dog in the crate for approx 9hrs maybe more -considered 8hrs work and prhaps 1hr travel time is way too much . Perhaps you could consider since it is alone so much, getting her a companion-like a fixed male that she can bond with and she'd be a much happier dog. Dogs are social animals and really are not made to be solitary for such a long time and it would be agreat kindness to your dog to get her a companion-can get one through the Humane Society for uptodate on all shots,treatments,has been declared in very good health,sociable and non-aggressive and house trained-all these things are done before the animal is put on the adoption list.

Answer 3

You are not being inhumane. So long as you come home at lunch and let her out and then let her out whenever you are home, that is actually much more humane than letting her run around the house and getting into trouble, like eating something she shouldn't. That could be a far worse situation than being in a crate all day. Besides, dogs spend the majority of their day sleeping anyways. I just hope the dog isn't in the crate when you are at home @ night and in am.

Answer 4

Animal lover:

DId you know that all the humane societys recommend crate training?

ALso putting a dog in a crate when it is afraid of thunder worsens the problem.
It is the same reason that tying a dog up causes aggression, the dog cannot interact on its own terms therefore it begins to bite and bark to scare off the world.

The best way to deal with a dog who is afraid of thunderstorms is to act like nothing is wrong, give the dog a treat everytime there is a noise. Never "comfort" the dog as you are only reinforcing that the dogs should be afraid.

Answer 5

My aunt and uncle used to keep their dog in the crate all day long while they were both at work (at LEAST 10 hours a day). I would personally not crate my dog for more then 4 hours at a time, although I must admit I am against crating. I would much rather just restrict my dog into one room. I suppose as long as you do not keep your dog in the crate for over 6 hours it is alright. Any longer then that would be cruel in my opinion.

Answer 6

I have a American Bulldog(I only crated him when we would leave the house and go to bed)we only crated him for a couple of months... I would give him trial runs while I was gone for a couple of hours... By not crating him and if he was good I would give him a treat and I would do the same at night. He is now never crated and is great in the house at night and while I am not at home. Try giving it a try it may work for you.

Answer 7

For an adult dog it's usually okay to leave them for 8 or 9 hours. Puppies, the general rule is you can leave them for as many hours as they are months old, so 3 month old puppy, 3 hours unattended before you come home to a mess. Some can go longer, some shorter. It depends on the individual dog. If she seems comfortable and isn't messing in her box you should be fine. Especially since you come home at lunch to let her out and say hi.

Answer 8

I would be worried if he was being crated for a full 8 hour shift, it's cruel to expect a puppy to be okay in a small cage for that long, but you come home on your lunch breaks and let him out. I'd say you were fine : )
Also, if she is housetrained, maybe you could baby-gate her in a doggie-proofed area while you are at work. She would have more room to play. : ) A litter box lined with newspaper might be more enticing to pee on rather than the floor, if she does decide to go inside, Lol.
I cant wait to get my papillon puppy : )
Im lucky tho, working at an animal hospital, I can bring my puppy to work with me : )

Answer 9

Yes, crate training is the safest and most intelligent thing to do. Dogs can get into trouble left alone...chew an electrical cord, destroy your stuff, choke on something.

You are doing great, as long as you spend time with it and give it exercise, like a daily walk.

Answer 10

I would place the dog into the bathroom with newspaper rather than in a crate. Just think how you wold feel trapped in a small box for hour's.

Answer 11

It sounds like you are doing right by your baby, as long as she gets plenty of exercise, attention when you are home. (Remember, it's relative to her size) She probably feels better in her crate when you are not home than leaving her out-I know my chi's are usually nervous when I come home and I've left them out.