New puppy should I leave it in it's crate while I'm at work?

Question

I work on weekends. I am getting a Westie puppy and plan to crate train it. Should I leave it in the crate while I'm at work?

Answer 1

Not all at one time, no. You should first go out during the day on short errands, employing a key phrase that the Westie will connect to your return. We use "guard the house" with ours, Miss Molly. Start with 10 or 15 minutes, and if the puppy seems to be okay with that, increase the amount of time, each time using the key phrase. Of course, the other issue is bathroom breaks. We had a neighbor let Molly out at the halfway point of our workday. You know of course that puppies, like babies, don't have the muscular control to hold it in all day. Good luck! You've chosen the most wonderful kind of dog in the world!

Answer 2

These answer are the reason why I am against crates..You should never leave a puppy in a crate for more than four hours..other than letting the puppy sleep thru the night. If you must use one at night. The best thing for you to do is block off a kitchen or a laundry room, make sure it is a gate that he/she can see through. Have lots of toys and wee-pads on the other side of the room in case they need to go to the bathroom. Never Never leave a puppy in a crate all the time you are at work. Crates are suppose to be a safe haven for dogs. Not a cheap baby sitter. Leaving your puppy in there like that would just make him hate his crate. Just do your puppy a favor and block off a part of your house. Put yourself it that puppy place. How would you feel if someone put you in a crate for 8 hours. People are beginning to miss-use crates. All it reminds me is a jail.. I have 8 Shih Tzu's, all living in my home and none of them has every been crated.

Answer 3

I've had my puppy since January and I got him when he was 7 weeks old. I used a crate then and i still use the crate now. It really helps to train them, as far as using the bathroom. They won't go where they have to sleep. At first he did but he soon realized that it's gross and doesn't like the smell. So he holds it now until I get home from work, about 8 - 10 hours. I was shocked and impressed. Also, your pup doesn't tear up your house while your out if he's in the crate, just leave him a few toys, food and water, and he'll be okay. I even leave soft music on so he always hears something (it helps).

Answer 4

YES! puppies need a certain place to feel secure. otherwise, without a crate, your puppy can and will try to destroy things. yes, you may see only it's sweet side, but believe me, they can get crazy while alone because of separation anxiety. when you get the crate, make sure you have some blankets to cover the entire crate except only partially in the front. this way, it feels like a warm den, which is where dogs sleep in the wild.

p.s. the puppy will probably bark the first few times, but by all means ignore it. also be sure that he/she has went to the bathroom and has had food and water before going to the crate. this will probably make the puppy stop barking after a few times in there.

Answer 5

It depends how old your puppy is for example if it is 2 months your only allowed to leave it in the crate for two hours if it is older it can stay much longer...remember puppies like to playy and so do dogs so if you can drop it off at someones home it would be better for the puppy

Answer 6

Definitely.
When we got our dog almost 15 years ago, we were told to keep him in a small area, or crate. This helps to encourage them to hold everything in, since they dislike the smell when they do go to the bathroom. A couple accidents in a cage are much easier at getting them to wait for you to come home. In the meantime, you may want to consider Wee Wee pads in the cage so ifthey do go, the only cleanup you need is to through the pad away.

Answer 7

Yes or it will do all kinds of things while you are gone...

Left in a crate it will sleep.
Dogs can sleep many hours... some up to 22 hrs out of 24...

Good Luck and bet you can hardly wait for your puppy.

Answer 8

How new? Young puppies can only hold it about 4 hours max. It would be cruel to leave him in there longer than that and force him to soil his den.

I would suggest confinement to a small room with puppy pads if you cannot come home at lunch to let him out.

Answer 9

I wouldn't I don't mine has a playpen with her bed and a pee pad in it. She stays in there while we are at work or leave the house but at night she sleeps in a crate. The playpen expands so you can adjust it to appropriate size for you dog.

Answer 10

of course you should if you want to crate train then do it if not then don't you have to decide there is nothing wrong with either I have always crate trained for all but one dog.