Should i put my puppy in a crate?

Question

Im currently a student and im getting a new puppy sunday. THe problem is that i have class monday morning. Im usually out for 8 hours (not because i want to). Should i put my puppy in a crate while im out? There is a slight chance that someone can take him out every 2-4 hours but theres no telling if it may happen.

Answer 1

My dog was crate trained from a very young age and I couldn't be happier. Dog's like to be in their "cave" especially when separated from their pack leader. It helps them feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed.

My dog has serious separation anxiety if I don't crate him when I leave and will tear up the house. It keeps your house intact as well as keeping your new precious puppy safe!

Also, crating your dog will help house break him. The crate you purchase should come with a divider, you want to make the crate small enough for him to lay down but not enough room for him to go to the bathroom and get away from it. The theory is that a dog wont go to the bathroom where he has to sleep.

I highly recommend crating your dog. My dog absolutely loves his crate, I have to keep it locked when I'm home so he doesn't just sleep in there.

However, I would encourage you to find a way for the dog to be let out at least twice during the day, until he's fully potty trained, their bladders have to be trained to hold it. To help potty train your puppy, as soon as you remove him from his crate, take him outside to use the bathroom! My dog's two and I still run home to let him out in the afternoon.

Have fun with your new puppy!

Answer 2

Re-consider your decision to get a puppy and wait until you're out of college. A puppy needs human companionship all day long and needs a lot of attention, time and patience. Your puppy will be bored, lonely, stressed and scared to be left alone for 8 hours.

Crate training works when he has something to do for the day. It should be used as a bed at night and a potty training device only. The puppy will be forced to defecate all over the crate and will still be scared from leaving his litter mates the day before.

A slight chance of the puppy getting to go for a potty break is not good enough. The puppy MUST be taken out EVERY 2 hours to have the chance to go poop and pee.

Please do not get this puppy while you are still at college. You need to think about what the puppy would want. He wants a home where he can be loose inside and have human companionship all day long. He needs to be fed 3-4 times per day, he needs to be taken outside every 2 hours, he needs to be reassured and needs to be with someone he can trust, he needs to be around people and he needs to play with someone to be happy.

Consider a cat or two.

Answer 3

I do not believe in crating a dog , but a lot of people do crate their dogs. Never leave a dog in a crate for 8 hours. Unless they are sleeping in the crate at night , they shouldn't be left in a crate for no more than 4 hours. The best thing you can do for your dog is to block him in the kitchen with a gate that he can see through. With lots of toys and wewe- pads on he other end of Kitchen. Make it a happy place for your puppy not a jail for 8 hours. The crate is suppose to be a safe haven for a puppy. Some where he can go to sleep when he wants..People are leaving the poor dogs in crates for 8 hours at a time and that is just not right to do that. Unless at night when it is bed time. I never had crates for my dogs. I had a playpen when they were 8 weeks old and only use that if I had to step outside for a bit.. I didn't want them getting hurt..

Years ago there were no crates, people took care of their animals .. and watch them. You can learn to read your dog to know what he wants and when he has to go out side.

Enjoy you puppy he will give you a life time of love.

Answer 4

A puppy cannot hold his bladder at first ...especially not 8 hours. You will need to have someone let him out. Most responsible breeders will only sell to those who can devote at LEAST a couple days off for the first days home. Just to adjust.

I definitely would say use a crate though. Potty training will be a thousand times easier. A better choice if you will not be able to take her out would be a play pen. Put 1/2 with potty papers and the other with toys, etc.

Good luck and congrats on your new puppy!

Answer 5

I would say definitely to the crate, it saved my house lol! When I first brought home my rottweiler puppy it did take some conditioning but now he sees his crate as a safe haven and enjoys going in it. For success with the crate I suggest luring the puppy in with lots of treats and toys don;t close the door yet, let him get used to walking in and out. When you are ready to leave him make sure his bladder is empty and put him in the crate with treats, toys, something to snuggle with and something that smells like you. My puppy was uneasy at first and did cry a little bit, I usually left animal planet on for him as comfort. When you go home to your puppy don't let him run out of the crate. I tried this once and he peed right when he got out. I suggest picking him up and bringing him outside (he won't pee on you) and then saying go potty or whatever command you want to use, then reward with treat. The crate really worked well for training my dog. I can leave him by himself and not worry about anything going wrong, it also helped a lot with potty training. Good luck, and have fun with your new pup!

Answer 6

If you are gone that long , the puppy will urinate themselves, as young puppies need to be take out REGULARLY, they are a lot of work and you need to have a lot of time to devote to them.

Get a puppy play pen: http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441816682&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035928&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1174107300079&itemNo=10&Ntt=playpen&In=All&previousText=playpen&N=2&Ne=2

http://www.gwlittle.com/Detail.aspx?ProductID=761&CategoryID=96

lay down a wee wee pad, seperate from a small bowl of food and water.

then put the crate INSIDE the playpen and leave it open.
Then put some toys around (not too many it will over stimulate her). Its very important that you make the crate cosy for the puppy, roll up a small towel in the back to make it smaller for them it will become her den and you need to make it comfy.

Dont keep her closed off in the crate unless you are there and able to take her out.

other than that, when you leave the house put the radio on, or the tv so she doesnt feel all alone.

you may want to think about skipping our first class to get her situated in her new home.

good luck!

Answer 7

well crate training is supposed to be great for a puppy just make sure to leave food, water and of course a potty pad in the crate. it doesn't sound like you have much of a choice if you leave him loose there's no telling what a new puppy will get into

Answer 8

Its not a good idea to get a puppy while you are in school. It is just cruel what they have to go through.

Answer 9

Unless you want everything in your house chewed and urinated/defecated upon, yes.