Is it humane to kennel a dog for hours on end almost every day?

Question

Our landlord is considering allowing us to have a small dog, but she wants to make it madatory that the dog be locked in an indoor kennel at all times when we are not home. I work evenings and my wife works days, so it might be at least four hours a day, five days a week, that the dog would be locked up, but realisticly might even be eight hours on some days of the week. I understand that many dogs love their kennels but is this humane having the dog locked up for so long so often?

Answer 1

No it's not humane at all. If a dog must be kept in a cage/crate/kennel for more than 4 hours, it's not humane at all.
Don't get a dog if that's what your landlords rules are.
Maybe consider a cat or two, if your landloard allows that.
Especially as a puppy, how are you going to housebreak it if it's going to be kept in a cage for 8 hours? Are you going to have enough time? It sounds as if your school/work takes up a lot of your day.

Answer 2

Make sure you consider the energy level of whichever dog you choose to get. If you're not sure which breed would be okay, ask a vet. But a dog that sleeps all day anyway, what's the problem with being in a crate? Dogs are den animals. Given the choice, most would rather be in a "cave" type area to sleep because they are protected. Make sure that the dog gets plenty of walking/exercise/attention time when you ARE home, though. Dogs are not people - it's not like putting a little kid in a crate all day long. Dogs are animals. As long as they get love and attention when you are around, there is no problem. ALOT of people choose the option of crating their dog while they are at work and/or sleeping to keep the dog out of trouble. There are alot of things dogs can get into in a house and you can avoid alot of headaches for yourself by crate-training.

Answer 3

Yes, it is humane to kennel a dog for hours almost every day.

However, you must be prepared to give the dog plenty of exercise and activity when you ARE home if this situation is going to work. Also, breed selection is important. If you get a high-energy Jack Russell Terrier, you'll probably be sorry. If you get something that has a low activity requirement such as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the dog will become accustomed to sleeping in its crate while you're gone. You still must be sure to provide lots of exercise when you are home - but crating a dog several hours a day will not harm them in the least.

If this were the conditions presented for dog ownership, I would accept them happily!

Answer 4

Since it sounds like it is going to be a pretty small dog, try getting a babby gate set up. We raise bulldogs and pekingese, well we have 1 female of each in the house. When they have puppies, we use the plastic fences. This will give them about 9 -10 square feet, it is more than enough. There is even room for a water bowl, I wouldnt feed him until you are there to take him potty, especially when trying to house train. Drop him a pillow or small dog bed in there with a few toys, and I would place it where he can hear and see the television, will cut down on his crying while you are away. That will do just fine and be more than humane. You can place him a small crate in there too, if you are planning on crate training him. We have a crate in ours that we use for the babies. These gates can be found at walmart or even pet supply stores. They are plastic and lock together firmly. I think it was over $100.00 for the 4 gates that lock, but well worth it. It will keep you, the landlord, and the puppy happy. I found an example of what I am tlaking about. Keep in mind searching for child or puppy plastic gates, you may find them cheaper. I hope this helps. Make sure you put news paper, or better yet a puppy pad all aroudn on it, as if you are gone 8 hours, he could have an accident. Will help with house training as well. Good Luck!

After thought, we also use an old baby play pen for our puppies when they wean from the mom. There is room for a small pet crate and water as well, may even be cheaper and easier to move. I hope this helps. The playpen will prbably make your landlord happier as the animal isnt on her flooring in case of an accident.

Answer 5

I had a lab mix who was kennel trained from the day I got him. For a time when I was single and living on my own my dog would be in his kennel as many as 8 hours a day. When he was a small pup I did have someone who would let him out to do his business, but then right back in he would go until I got home. I made sure to spend lots of time exercising, playing with and spending quality time with him when I was home though. My parents, and sister have both had dogs that were kennel trained and were in their kennels about 8 hours a day as well. A bored dog can do some naughty things like when we tried baby gates or putting the dog in the laundry room.....peeled wall paper off walls, ate the linoleum....the kennel was a much safer place for them to be. Over time my dog loved his kennel and would often go in there on his own to nap and get away as he got older. He was also terrified of thunderstorms and rain in general, and his kennel was his safe place during those events.
We now have a new pup, and he is kennel trained as well. I think it's the only thing that has saved us thus far from having everything in our home chewed to bits. He is in there over night, which is usually about 8 hours( kennel is in our room at night and he is taken out if he whines to do his business)....and off and on during the day if no one is able to have an eye on him....keeps him out of trouble.

Answer 6

Well, I know some people do leave their dogs in kennel/crates while they are at work. I think the dog will be fine if you make sure they have plenty of food and water and toys to play with. It would be better if one of you could come on your lunch break or whatever and let the dog out for a little while. I don't mean this to come off mean or anything, but I honestly wouldn't get a dog under those circumstances. I'm sure you will love it, but it's kind of not fair to the dog to have to spend all day in a kennel. Do you have a neighbor that could come and let it out a couple times while you are at work?
Good luck

Answer 7

I would get an adult dog with not so high of energy requirements and has better control of its bladder. There should not be a problem with the situation you described above as long as the dog gets quality time when you are home. As you need to meet exercise requirements- like walks or good playtimes too. I was in high school two of my three dogs were crated at night and let out for a quick pee and poo in the morning and crated from 6:30am-3pm. I would then let them out, feed and play. They also were walked for atleast an hour each day during the week.

Answer 8

My girlfriend checked with the local humane society and they told her as long as the kennel is big enough that the pet can move around safely and has excess to plenty of water it was ok to leave her pet enclosed for the 10 hours she's a way at work

Answer 9

Yes it is humane as long as your dog is still getting the exercise and nutrition he needs. It's important to make sure your dog can "hold it" for that long before leaving him, but as long as he has toys to play with, he should be fine. Dogs sleep most of the day anyway and keeping them in a kennel helps to combat boredom and chewing problems because they feel safe and secure in their own space. It might take time for the little guy to get used to it, but it really does help dogs adjust to being left alone and helps them avoid excess anxiety.
My dogs absolutely love their kennels and will just randomly go lay down and chew on a toy when we're home because it's their own personal space and no one can bother them. They also use their kennels to hide toys from one another, so it serves many purposes for them.

Answer 10

Its not recommended, however, on the odd occasion..it shouldbe fine. Make sure they did their business outside before you leave and as soon as you come home. Keep them hydrated as well. Leave a couple toys that you can put treats in and its like a puzzle. I like the idea of baby gates as well. Or...if you have a spare room (preferably without carpet), you can leave them in there. If they do their business in the room whileyou were gone, its okay. Its not their fault. So always leave paper down. This room can have their toys, their kennel, or bed, a water dish because you have to keep them hydrated all at times. They will learn to enjoy it! Its their space!!

Answer 11

Dogs will do ok as long as it's only while you're at work. You should consider simply putting it in a few rooms, block it off with baby gate so it can't reach certain areas. Or at least put it in a room so it has space, a rug/mat/pillow/bed to sleep on, stretching room, toys to throw around, and will not feel cramped. Sometimes dogs that are kept in kennels feel alone and trapped. They may bark or howl for attention.. and I don't think that would make your landlord happy at all.

If you must keep it in a kennel, do at least get a very large one. Large enough to fit the dog so it can stand, lay, stretch, turn around, and have a spot for water and papers to urinate on.

I don't think it's fair to keep it in a kennel all day, so please consider the baby gate or just one room to itself. If it's a puppy, puppies can be needy and get restless. You might be better off with cats or nothing at all.