We recently hired a girl to watch over our puppies while we are gone overseas. She informed me that she will leave the dogs shut up in their kennels for 10 hours at a time overnight. I have huge dogs: a mastiff, a boxer, and a rottweiler. Typically we let them roam the kitchen/ living room and they have a doggie door to the fenced yard. It's going to be too cold for them outside or in the garage. I don't have a problem with her kenneling them overnight, but is 10 hours too long? I've never taken my dogs to a kennel either, how long do they typically keep them in their kennels there? Am I over reacting?
2007-01-01 08:51:56 · 15 answers · asked by Kodee 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
10 hours overnight is just fine, no matter what anyone tells you. Dogs are den animals. In the wild, dogs (or wolves) would go to their dens to sleep. They would stay in their dens for 10 to 12 hours to sleep. So putting them into a crate for that length of time in normal!
I have Shih Tzus and they spend 8 to 10 hours a night in their crates. They know when it is bed time and usually head to their crates on their own to sleep, even during the day. If you never crated your dogs before, I understand you being concerned. But, the dogs are going to be just fine.
2007-01-01 10:09:01 · answer #1 · answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am sorry to say this. You need to shop a little more for the person who will take care of the dogs while you are away.
10 hours is about 4 hours longer than they should be confined.
With the kitchen and doggy door to the yard they really don't need to be kenneled at all. Not from what I can tell by the question. Unless you know that your dogs will go out and bark all night because you aren't home.
I would be very wary of any dog sitter of mine "informing me" about just about anything to do with my dogs. She'd be asking me politely and please and thank you. These are your babies!!
There is nothing worse than worrying about your pets while you are away. Hire a different pet sitter that is more concerned for the dogs. Any experienced pet sitter would know that 10 hours is going to be too long.
You are not over reacting. You are realizing that you have a problem here. Solve it before you leave on the trip.
Good luck.
2007-01-01 17:09:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No dog likes to away from it's surrounding let alone it's owners. They are big dogs that like to keep busy. A proper kennel will afford them more exercise and contact. Pretend your putting your child into day care while looking for a kennel. You want the best for them and at this time I don't think that leaving them at home is the best thing to do here. Sure there is a cost factor but they are your dogs and because you have be away for so long you owe it to them to see that are well care for. This will reduce their stress level with you not being there.
2007-01-01 17:05:25 · answer #3 · answered by Moon Man 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I personally feel this is way to long.
No I do not think you are over reacting at all! Your dogs are at a kennel... One would think they know what they are doing, but this is still to long!
Is this a kennel with a run attached? This is different. They get out of there sleeping quarters and have a place to go poddy and to get a little exercise. Some places have it so the run extends to a grassy area. Depends what this kennels set up is. In this case I would think ten hours is fine.
2007-01-01 16:59:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
10 hours is not terrible for a large adult dog, but it's not exactly nice either. I would look into hiring someone else or maybe taking them to a real kennel instead. Even though they can hold their bladders that long, they're going to get pretty cramped staying in one spot. At least at a boarding facility you can sign them up for day camp or play time, and the kennels are large enough for them to move and stretch in.
2007-01-01 16:56:11 · answer #5 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you say puppies I am going to assume that they are under the age of one.
I would recommend eight hours but ten is ok. Also she has to be sure to let them walk about during the day so they can stretch.
I hope also that she is keeping the kennels clean as they are in there for that long you don't want them getting sick from dirty kennels.
2007-01-01 17:10:09 · answer #6 · answered by K-Marie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is it necessary for them to be caged at all? We also have a doggy door to a large fenced yard. When we go out of town we secure all the doors and windows and padlock our gates. We leave the doggy door open so the dog can go in and out as she is used to. We only have someone come by once a day to check on the dog, check on our house, gather our mail, and put down fresh food and water. We have done this for 7 years and it has worked out perfectly for all involved. I know this is the most comfortable solution for the dog. One of my friends asked about the safety of leaving the doggy door open, but honestly I think if a robber wanted to break into our particular house they would find a way in regardless.
2007-01-01 16:59:35 · answer #7 · answered by milf 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you should check out a kennel. Most kennels have big exercise yards and allow the dogs outside when the weather is nice. The situation you're describing sounds really strange to me.
2007-01-01 16:55:05 · answer #8 · answered by clarity 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You should know how they'll react. I put mine in for a play day to get a reaction. If it had been bad, ex: he was upset or mad at me, he'd never have gone back....! However, he had a ball playing with the other dogs. He was happy to see me but not upset or afraid. My dog isn't is big as yours but he's an 80 # rescue dog. If they have a play date and are comfortable, I don't think an overnight trip would bother them, and they should be together. Being together should keep them clam. Try it and see how they behave......
2007-01-01 17:01:50 · answer #9 · answered by yawnsalot 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
is the kennel outside? or do you mean crate like indoors??
it depends on the size if its an outdoor kennel and if they are used to it - how much time do they normally spend in there?
is this at your house or hers??
sometimes dogs are kenneled MUCH longer when at a boarding kennel..
2007-01-01 17:03:55 · answer #10 · answered by CF_ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋