Should i be putting my 7 wk old puppy in a crate when i'm at work?

Question

I just don't know if i should put him in there when i'm at work or sleeping, because i heard that puppys can't hold there urine for more than 4 hours. Do i still put him in there? What age should i start to.

Answer 1

More than 4 hours in a crate is bad for any dog. That becomes more of a cage than a crate. A crate is used to make them feel secure. 8 hours is way too long - although I have seen grown dogs able to handle being in a house that long.

Is there anywhere (a yard or kennel) outside that you can keep your dog? Have you considered doggie daycare - at least until the puppy is old enough to be on its own (in a yard)while you are gone?

Answer 2

A pup that young should not be confined to a crate for more than two hours at a time, unless you are prepared to clean up a lot and to weaken the training value of the crate. Instead, confine him to a bathroom or in an Xpen in the kitchen. Put pee pads or newspaper in one corner, water in another, and his crate in another. Toss in a couple of chew toys, too. The crate should be left open. He can then sleep in the crate but come out to eliminate.

Once he is about four months he can probably be crated while you are at work, provided he gets at least one break during the day. At about six months he might be able to handle staying in the crate all day.

You should confine the pup to the crate occasionally when you are home so that he gets used to that. You certainly don't want him to suddenly be crated for eight hours at a time when he is seven months old - he will freak!

The book Before and After Getting Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar has terrific info on housebreaking and crate training.

Answer 3

It is true that puppies do not have the bladder control that an older dog will have. However, the crate is the best thing you can do for him b/c dogs are den animals, and putting him in a crate will give him a sense of "home" when you are away. Also, puppies do not like eliminating in their den/place of rest, so the dog will only go to the bathroom in there if it just can't hold it any more. I recommend coming home for lunch to let him out, until he is able to hold it through the day. My dog stays in his crate all day while I am at work with no problems.

Answer 4

You start crate training immediately. Your crate should have a wire divider that you use to make sure the puppy only has enough room to turn around and lay down in the crate. This helps to avoid the dog going to the bathroom in his crate, because he won't want to in his den. However, you are correct in that a young puppy can't hold it's urine or feces for extended periods of time. If at all possible try to get home in the middle of the day or have someone you trust come to let the dog out, at least for the first few weeks. Good luck.

Answer 5

Wait till he's a little older before crating him for long periods of time (over 4 hours or so). I would say about 12 weeks and he should be fine for the time you are at work. At night, it should be fine to crate him because you will still be in the house and if he cries to go out you can take him.

Answer 6

The first place a dog should get used to sleeping in is a crate. That way if u ever have to go on a vacation u can bring him to a kennel or a friens house and he'll feel safe in his kennel. You can line half of the kennel (preferably back half) with newspaper or towels or u can get those little mats for dogs that they can pee on at a store. But definately put him in there becasue also its safer because he is not able to get into alot of trouble in there.
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Answer 7

For the safety of your puppy and to prevent the destruction of your home while you are away I would keep him in the kennel. Put wee wee pads in with him so if he goes while you are away it will not make a mess. I personally think that it is better for them to have an accident in their kennel as opposed to a room in your house, that way there will be less confusion with potty training. At night you should be getting up half way through and taking the puppy outside and if your work is close to your house it is nice to go home on your lunch break to let him out. Good Luck and just be patient with the potty training.

Answer 8

You can't keep a puppy in a crate all day expecting him to hold it. At that age, they need to go out every 2 hours.

Answer 9

Try to confine him in a small area like a bathroom or something. Give him alot of newspaper and a comfortable place to sleep and I suggest an alarm clock that ticks be put underneath the blanket where he sleeps. It sounds like their moms heartbeat and comforts them.

Answer 10

Why not get a baby gate (or just use the door) and keep him in a bathroom with an area with newspaper on the floor? Than he can go to the bathroom and hopefully he will on the paper.