Crate training a dog is recommended by just about any animal expert, I know. But when we got our dog (large, 85 pounds, spayed female), she was so easy to potty-train that we didn't crate train her (which was our first mistake). Now my partner and I are beginning to work full time (we got her whilst in college, our second mistake) and we find we must leave her alone during the day (we are gone 8-5). The trouble is, she's 2 years old now, and she's simply enormous, and doesn't fit in any of the crates available at our local pet stores! Well, she fits, but I'm afraid it will be too small for her, because she can't sprawl out like she could when she was a puppy. She doesn't like the change in routine and has begun to be destructive when we leave her alone, something she didn't do when we were home more often because we were in school. Will she be okay in the small-ish crate? Can we make her more happy at home without the crate? Should we leave her outside? Or confine her to one room?
2006-12-12 09:24:38 · 11 answers · asked by Megan M 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When I first got my dog I crated her while I was away from the home. She's a St. Bernard/Chow mix and is around 80 pounds. Now I just put her in the bedroom and make sure there is nothing around that she can get into. However, I still use the crate when I go out of town with her when staying at other people's houses. The crate still fits her fine. She can't sprawl out like she normally would without it, but that's not going to hurt her. I would just try limiting her to one room at first and see how that works. If it doesn't work out there ARE crates big enough for her out there, you just have to look around. Since she is older now you may have a problem even getting her into the crate. Use treats and things like that to coax her in. Just make sure you come home immediately after work to let her out - to go to the bathroom and to move around. Dogs shouldn't go longer than 8 hours in a crate, and 8 hours in general for going outside to go to the bathroom.
2006-12-12 09:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a spare room with no furniture in it that can become her "bedroom?" You can keep it sparsely furnished with just a big old pillow and her dog toys and maybe a water bowl if you don't worry about her wetting things while you're out. If you have an old TV, you could put that in there too, as I've found that dogs tend to be calmer when they think there are people in the room, and the TV's voices seem to calm down my brother's dog when we leave him home alone. The less stimuli there is for her to destroy, the better off she'll be. At the end of the day when you come home, let her out right away to run around and go to the bathroom and all, and give her a "good girl" treat so she can come to associate being good all day with a reward and she'll have something to look forward to. It wouldn't be any good to leave her outside, as you never know when a freak rain or snow storm will crop up and she'll get all wet and cold. If that doesn't work out for you, there are such things as doggy day care facilities, and they do cost a little, but at least she'd be in good hands all day!
2006-12-12 09:35:51 · answer #2 · answered by fizzygurrl1980 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a room that she'll be safe in without destroying anything that may be a good idea. Maybe a bathroom or a basement or garage. Providing they're clean and pose no threats to her.
You want to make sure she will be comfortable and sometimes those crates just arn't big enough for large dogs.
If the weather allows you could build her a dog house and tie her up but the problem is no one will be around if she were to get tangled or manage to slip off the line so it may not be the best idea.
2006-12-12 09:31:36 · answer #3 · answered by ljn331 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i would say, get the biggest crate available, and see how it works out... you can always return it. You can also try confining her in a room if shes not destructive still. I wouldnt leave her outside for that long..
Remember wherever you leave her, make sures shes got water, and remember to feed her before, then let her go to the bathroom, and as soon as you get home feed her agian.
Good luck!
2006-12-12 09:31:21 · answer #4 · answered by babygirlxo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she will stay in one room without destroying things that would be best. They make doggie enclosures that are just a bunch of gates that attach together. Would she stay in something like that?
I would not recommend leaving her outside all day. She could get loose and hurt. I also would not recommend putting her in a crate that is too small. I wouldn't like to be confined to a space that was too small for me for 8 hours so I wouldn't expect my dog to either.
2006-12-12 09:41:49 · answer #5 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
confine her in one room!! That will solve your problems if she is potty trained. If not then leave her outside. If she has been a pain and is getting mad because you are leaving her then thats probably what you should do. I know you work an 8-5 but maybe you could get up an hour earlier that you ussually do and walk her. That will help alot too. Drain her energy. It will be healthy for the dog and you
Hope this helps!
2006-12-12 09:32:00 · answer #6 · answered by ClaralubsEli 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who are you people using the word "whilst" ?????
But anyway..dogs are biurnal, which means they are active twice a day--sunrise and sunset. This works out nicely in typical households. Take the dog for a walk in the morning, take the dog for a walk at night. In between, dog will mostly sleep. If you watch a dog who lives on a farm and can roam at will, mostly dog will snifff about and take care of business in the morning and evening and do a lot of sleeping in between. If you dog is getting destructive, she is bored. Getting another dog is one solution that I'm guessing you are not going to go for. Confining her in a crate is likely to make her more bored--I'd let her have free roam of the house but give her a good walk in the morning and evening. Also, play with her with toys and then leave the toys for her. You can make the toys more attractive to her by dripping a few drops of chicken broth on them. Bones of course are good if they are strong and big. Or try buying a jar of peanut butter. The jars are plastic these days. Empty out the peanut butter except for a little on the bottom. My dogs spend hours trying to lick that last bit of peanut butter. Your problem isn't really that she is destructive--the problem is she is bored--so give her things to do.
2006-12-12 23:57:21 · answer #7 · answered by mesa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Geez I can't believe how rude some people are when they answer these questions!! First of all start establishing yourself as the dominate member in your house. Walk through doors before your dog does, don't let her on furniture, take her meal away half-way through then give it back. When you walk her on the lead don't let her pull. Keep correcting until she does it properly. When you are near another dog don't tense up but make her sit and behave. Turn her away from the other dog if you have to. When she is sitting quietly, lots of treats and praise. Don't let her off the lead until she learns how to look to you for her cues. Never tolerate aggression - jump on it straight away. You can work through it, but it will take a bit of work and visits won't be that relaxing for a little while.
2016-05-23 15:46:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with a lot of people about leaving her in a room. Ours is fine in a room as long as he has a window to look out of. If you have the extra money you could try to hire someone (like a college student who may have free time during the day) to come by once or twice during the day and exercise her. There are also dog daycares and businesses that hire people to stop by your home as well.
2006-12-12 13:26:21 · answer #9 · answered by MK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can order Xlarge crates. I have Saint Bernards and I crate them when I leave the house.
2006-12-12 09:43:42 · answer #10 · answered by st.lady (1 of GitEm's gang) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋