Is it abuse to keep a dog in a small room for long and short periods of time? My husband and I have to go to work for 6 hours, and we have a dog. We keep him in a small room, the size of maybe a walk in closet? He can walk and run around, so it is roomy for him. We put a green blanket and all his toys with him. Plus, we boarded the windows and anything hurtful with wood. I was wondering if this is dog abuse or not. Please help?
2007-02-25 09:40:09 · 20 answers · asked by Mike 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
No this isn't abuse. In fact it's one of the best things you can do. A small room or a kennel. Eventually through your training and discipline the dog will be able to roam the house w/o causing destruction or going potty in the house.
Rotate the toys so they seem interesting to the puppy and he'll playing w/ them. I hope w/ you boarding everything up etc there is a bit of light coming in. Turn a radio on while your gone too, it'll make the dog a bit more comfortable.
You'll be okay. I had to leave my girls for about that amount of time when I first got them. As long as the puppy gets all the walks and exercise he needs he should be okay.
Good Luck
2007-02-25 09:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, definitely not. Unless you have a Great Dane or something equally as large, as long as he has available water and has somewhere comfy to sit like a dog bed or a comforter, he'll be fine. To make him extra comfy, try putting an old piece of your clothing in there with him. Dogs like the smell of their owners. Try tuning the radio to a talk station too. Make sure not to put any rawhides or pigs' ears(Avoid pigs' ears in the first place. They break up into little sharp pieces and can harm your dog's esophagus over time) in with him. Anything that he eats or chews besides food needs a bit of supervision. As long as your dog's not a jumper, you don't need to board up the windows. He'd probably like a bit of sunlight or somewhere to look out. Don't worry, my dog has stayed home for 7-8 hours every weekday for the past eight years and he's fine. A small area is pretty comfy to them actually- sort of like a wolf den. Just give him a good walk when you get home so he gets a chance to stretch his legs.
2007-02-25 09:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by Jello 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, its not abuse. I have school/work and when I leave I put my dog in my bedroom. Its not that big, but he has my bed, his bed, toys, and I hide treats around the room for a surprise.
I do not leave food/water. She eats once in the morning and once at night. Plus I don't want her to pee anywhere in the room.
I think you're doing just fine. Does your dog do well in there? (ie no accidents, scratching at the door) You can also try leaving him in your room just so he could run around more if you feel bad about a walk-in closet.
Hope this helped!
2007-02-25 09:58:33 · answer #3 · answered by xtaintedLOVE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you say you boarded the windows, is it dark in this room? If so, yes I would classify that as abuse. You didn't mention putting food and water in this room. Is there? Is there a reason why the dog can't have free roam of the house? When I go to work for 10 + hours my three Doberman Pinschers has access to the entire house and never have a problem. Of course I have a friend that comes over and lets them outside to do their business since I am away for so many hours and it is only three times a week that I work.
2007-02-25 10:07:43 · answer #4 · answered by ® 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
absolutely not! dogs are most comfortable with a small space when their people aren't around. especially if he was toys to chew on. if he's getting exercise & love when you're home-6 hours is a totally acceptable time for him to be alone during the day. he's safer & happier in a small area-my dogs are in their kennels every time I leave-even if it's for a few minutes. in dog brains-they have to protect the area thier in from invaders. if he had the whole house to take care of he might be very stressed out. that you're even worried enough to ask that question shows that you are a very good dog mom. good luck!
2007-02-25 09:49:41 · answer #5 · answered by irlk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not consider this abuse. Consider this, many people leave their dogs in kennels or crates for this length of time. But I suppose it would truly matter on the size of the dog. Any longer, though, would probably be stretching it. A word of caution, however...I would not leave the toys with him. He could choke on small pieces he tears off.
2007-02-25 09:45:32 · answer #6 · answered by krissy4543 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, a lot of people set up "safe" rooms for their dogs. Some even leave their dogs in crates for longer periods of time than just six hours. As long as your dog gets the exercise he needs, he's perfectly fine in his room for that amount of time daily.
2007-02-25 11:48:18 · answer #7 · answered by Leigh S. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but it is abuse to keep a dog crated for more than 9 hours at a time. However, your little dog room sounds perfect! You obviously care about the well being of your dog very much, and I wouldn't worry about it.
2007-02-25 11:27:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What you've explained, it is not abuse. But make sure that he has water. You shouldn't board up the windows all year long. You should in the winter. But in the summer and spring and early fall, leave it open. Your dog probably likes fresh air. Hope I could help. :)
2007-02-25 09:57:34 · answer #9 · answered by XD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is no different from create training which lots of people suggest you do even experts, but it probably even better cause it sounds like your dog have more room to walk around in the room then it would in a create.
2007-02-25 10:09:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋