Crate or not?

[hihosilver]

Hi as many of you now know I am getting a Cavachon puppy in 3 weeks time. She will be 8 weeks old. I will be with her for the first week then after that will be at work during the day home bout 4. My neighbour will be popping in at lunchtime and will take her out. I have seen that most people advise crating a puppy? When I had puppies years ago we never sid just let them loose. So my question is what is best for her to crate or not??

Thanks x

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi as many of you now know I am getting a Cavachon puppy in 3 weeks time. She will be 8 weeks old. I will be with her for the first week then after that will be at work during the day home bout 4. My neighbour will be popping in at lunchtime and will take her out. I have seen that most people advise crating a puppy? When I had puppies years ago we never sid just let them loose. So my question is what is best for her to crate or not??

Thanks x

Yes I say its best. We crate ours and mine is now 6 months and still crated pm.

 

[MurphysMinder]

At 8 weeks she is not going to be able to hold from peeing if she is only being let out once during the day. I am normally a fan of crates but in this case I would give her more space and newspaper or puppy pads to do her business on. Is there anyone else you can get to come in and spend time with her. That is a long time to leave a tiny pup.

 

[Kaylum]

Never crated but its up to the owner there is no right or wrong way.

 

[galaxy]

Crate without question. Most important to me she will then be safe from chewing things she's shouldn't while you are out.

I crate trained my boy and at 5 yrs he still loves his crate and is in there at night and when I go out. It makes toilet training much easier too.

How many hours will your puppy be left between visits? at 9 weeks she will need the toilet very frequently.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Crates were not designed for puppies to be shut up for long periods, its too long to leave a puppy as young as this without a break even with someone coming in at lunchtime..

We crate trained our puppy but she was not in it for hours on end only when she couldn't be supervised and at night and we got up in the night to let her out as well.

At coming up to 4yrs old she still sleeps in her crate and loves it.

 

[Apercrumbie]

Hmmm I think you might need to get someone to come in twice a day for a while as that is a long time for a small puppy to be left, and probably too long to be crated. The problem will be that if she is left for quite that long when so young she could very easily become rather upset and destructive.

 

[hihosilver]

I am not sure if I can get any one else to come in during the day. It is hard as most people I know are at work in the day. My neighbour is going to come in at 12 and stay for a hour or so. I will try to find someone else as well. Thanks for all your advice I think I will crate her to begin with and then when she gets used to the routine she can go in the kitchen x

 

[MyBoyChe]

I used a crate with all 3 of my current dogs having never used one before in nearly 40 years. The reason I used one was for the pups safety as at the time of getting each pup I had an older dog and when my back was turned I wanted to be sure nothing happened. The longest they were ever crated for was 2 hours, OH and I adjusted out work patterns for the first 4 months with each pup until we were sure the new pack was settled. We have an open plan ground floor and use a stair gate to stop them getting upstairs. They have never been crated overnight or whilst we are out (except for those first few months until big enough not to get squashed). IMO you cannot use a crate for that length of time, it is meant to be a training tool, you wont be teaching it much if you shut it in and then go out. If the pup needs the toilet and cant get out of the crate it will wet its bed, effectively. It wont be able to tell you it needs to go out or at least go nearer the door to the garden. Could you maybe build a larger play pen area for the pup, leave the crate open within it with the bedding in and a cover over to make a nice safe den and leave toys, water and toilet pads nearer to the doorway. That way you are encouraging the pup to behave within a slightly larger area but still encouraging use of the crate for sleeping in. Not ideal to be out for that long really as even with a lunchtime visit that is a long time for a young pup to be left to its own devices. You may find he/she will start to find her own amusements

 

[zigzag]

Our puppy is ten weeks old, and she goes for a pee every hour, and a poo at least 3 times in the time you are at work, too long to leave a puppy on her own

 

[planete]

A puppy pen in part of a room with a crate open in it for a den is the best idea. The pup can then have a sleeping area distinct from a toilet area and still be safely kept away from chewable cables and furniture.

My biggest objection to the long hours the pup will be alone is the lack of socialisation and stimulation that is absolutely essential at that age, not just at the week-ends either. I have a rescue here right now who has obviously missed out on crucial socialisation. Her fearfulness of anything foreign to the pack makes her very aggressive. She will growl and lunge at pushchairs, people moving a bit strangely, anything really, and if given a chance (she is not) she will bite. It can be worked on, but it is a massive problem and she will probably always have to be managed to keep her and everybody safe. I would think very carefully about the consequences of so much isolation on a young pup. She may also develop stereotypies out of boredom just like a horse would.

 

[Annette4]

We crated ours and it was totally worth it. I also wouldn't be leaving a pup that long though. We had someone coming in twice a day plus a housemate who worked different hours to us. She also went to doggy daycare once a week for socialisation.

 

[hihosilver]

yes that is a good idea a crate with a pen as well so she can sleep and then use the training pads. I did check with my vet and she said that puppies sleep a lot and as long as someone spends time with her in the day she will be fine. She will be coming to the stables every evening so will have plenty of socialising. Thanks for the puppy pen idea I shall get one x

 

[Dobiegirl]

When we approached the breeder when we wanted to buy our puppy she gave us the 3rd degree and she was very anxious that our pup would not be spending hours alone, we would not have dreamed of entertaining having a puppy if someone was not around for most of the day. Pups at this age are like little sponges and if no one is around to stimulate them then they will either be bored out of their brains or be learning bad habits. I dont see how you can possibly house train your puppy under these circumstances and you should either have a rethink about having a puppy or have people coming in 3/4 times during the day. Yes pups do sleep a lot but they have very active periods in between.

 

[hihosilver]

When we approached the breeder when we wanted to buy our puppy she gave us the 3rd degree and she was very anxious that our pup would not be spending hours alone, we would not have dreamed of entertaining having a puppy if someone was not around for most of the day. Pups at this age are like little sponges and if no one is around to stimulate them then they will either be bored out of their brains or be learning bad habits. I dont see how you can possibly house train your puppy under these circumstances and you should either have a rethink about having a puppy or have people coming in 3/4 times during the day. Yes pups do sleep a lot but they have very active periods in between.

I intend to have a dog flap eventually. I think it will be fine as I am a Teacher so have 2 weeks at Easter and 7 weeks in the summer so it wont be a problem in the long run and my neighbour will give her lots of stimulation at lunch time x

 

[AmyMay]

Sorry hihosilver, I know you really want this pup - but I simply don't think your set up for one.

It's simply awful to think of such a young pup spending so much time alone.

 

[hihosilver]

Sorry hihosilver, I know you really want this pup - but I simply don't think your set up for one.

It's simply awful to think of such a young pup spending so much time alone.

I really do want her and will make it work x

 

[Nettle123]

Have to agree with most of the posters about leaving a pup for such long hours. Even with a neighbour generously visiting for and hour a day the puppy will be very lonely and impossible to housetrain.

We always had adult dogs before and I was amazed how much harder it was with our pup and wouldn't have managed if I hadn't been home all day. For the first 6 months really Paddy would go out almost every hour either for the loo or to play. I would have hated to think of him spending hours on his own.

Its a lovely idea having a puppy but its much harder work than you imagine.

 

[hihosilver]

Have to agree with most of the posters about leaving a pup for such long hours. Even with a neighbour generously visiting for and hour a day the puppy will be very lonely and impossible to housetrain.

We always had adult dogs before and I was amazed how much harder it was with our pup and wouldn't have managed if I hadn't been home all day. For the first 6 months really Paddy would go out almost every hour either for the loo or to play. I would have hated to think of him spending hours on his own.

Its a lovely idea having a puppy but its much harder work than you imagine.

I know how hard work puppies can be and in a ideal world she would not have to be left, however she will be loved and eventually have a dog walker- a lot of dogs have so much worse x

 

[GeeGeeboy]

Have to agree with most of the posters about leaving a pup for such long hours. Even with a neighbour generously visiting for and hour a day the puppy will be very lonely and impossible to housetrain.

We always had adult dogs before and I was amazed how much harder it was with our pup and wouldn't have managed if I hadn't been home all day. For the first 6 months really Paddy would go out almost every hour either for the loo or to play. I would have hated to think of him spending hours on his own.

Its a lovely idea having a puppy but its much harder work than you imagine.

Agree with this. I have a 16 week old puppy and only now am beginning g to leave her alone for short periods of time. When I got her at 8 weeks, she needed constant attention , it's not fair to leave a pup that long.

 

[numptynoelle]

I intend to have a dog flap eventually. I think it will be fine as I am a Teacher so have 2 weeks at Easter and 7 weeks in the summer so it wont be a problem in the long run and my neighbour will give her lots of stimulation at lunch time x

OP, I know this must be hard reading these responses, but have you considered waiting a few months and getting a pup to coincide with your summer holidays? You'd have more time together, especially when the pup is tiny.

 

[hihosilver]

OP, I know this must be hard reading these responses, but have you considered waiting a few months and getting a pup to coincide with your summer holidays? You'd have more time together, especially when the pup is tiny.

ah yes but she is a present for my daughters birthday and have paid £200 as a deposit plus we both have our hearts set on her as she has the best markings. she will be fine!

 

[springtime1331]

Do you have other dogs? If not, she'll be so lonely without any form of company. Sorry to be blunt, but a puppy alone all day then dragged up the yard all evening might end up fairly unsocialised and not the perfect pet you've dreamed of for your daughter. As others have said, I predict you'll really struggle to house train and it becomes very frustrating all round if this doesn't happen. What about if the neighbour can't be bothered/ gets job/ gets ill etc then doesn't come round? Would you consider doggy daycare? That might really help and help make sure the puppy grows up to be a nice well balanced member of the family.

 

[MurphysMinder]

OP, I know this must be hard reading these responses, but have you considered waiting a few months and getting a pup to coincide with your summer holidays? You'd have more time together, especially when the pup is tiny.

^^^ This. I'm sorry OP but I really don't think you have thought through having a pup at this time, it really isn't fair to leave a young pup for such a long time, both from a socialising and house training point of view. Is the breeder aware the pup is going to be on its own for such a long time, if so I am surprised they didn't try and persuade you to wait.
I suspect you won't be persuaded to change your mind, so if you do go ahead, please think very carefully about using a dog flap. Whereas I think some of the "stolen" dogs we read about have maybe just escaped from gardens, leaving such a small, easily picked up dog in an unsupervised garden is asking for trouble in my view.

 

[druid]

I'd add to the calls not get a pup now but quite frankly you don't seem to want to listen to what people are trying to tell you! It is verging on cruel to expect a pup that young to be left alone for so long. I've got a 5 month old spaniel pup and he is never left for more than three hours without a pee break and has another dog with him for company. It's all very well crating, penning etc but she needs company, stimulation and your house breaking will be nigh on impossible if she's constantly relieving herself on pads as she's got no other choice.

 

[AmyMay]

Our dog uses our cat flap to go in and out. But only when we're there. It's locked when we go out.

I would also add, op, that my dog is my first dog. Working full time meant I simply wasn't in a position to have one before. I've given up work now so feel able to have a dog.

I couldn't imagine leaving Daisy as a young pup.

 

[springtime1331]

Ours too, I'm so paranoid about the dogs being stolen.

 

[GeeGeeboy]

ah yes but she is a present for my daughters birthday and have paid £200 as a deposit plus we both have our hearts set on her as she has the best markings. she will be fine!

oh well, if she has the best markings that's ok then. Just ignore all the great advice you've been given on this thread and the other one .

 

[hihosilver]

^^^ This. I'm sorry OP but I really don't think you have thought through having a pup at this time, it really isn't fair to leave a young pup for such a long time, both from a socialising and house training point of view. Is the breeder aware the pup is going to be on its own for such a long time, if so I am surprised they didn't try and persuade you to wait.
I suspect you won't be persuaded to change your mind, so if you do go ahead, please think very carefully about using a dog flap. Whereas I think some of the "stolen" dogs we read about have maybe just escaped from gardens, leaving such a small, easily picked up dog in an unsupervised garden is asking for trouble in my view.

Yes the breeder is aware and she said that the puppies sleep for most of the day and with my neighbour coming in she will be fine. Its very secure where I live and has electric gates so she will not be at risk with the dog flap. Plus my neighbour is always out in the garden come the spring time.

 

[hihosilver]

I'd add to the calls not get a pup now but quite frankly you don't seem to want to listen to what people are trying to tell you! It is verging on cruel to expect a pup that young to be left alone for so long. I've got a 5 month old spaniel pup and he is never left for more than three hours without a pee break and has another dog with him for company. It's all very well crating, penning etc but she needs company, stimulation and your house breaking will be nigh on impossible if she's constantly relieving herself on pads as she's got no other choice.

The post was about dog crating not about being cruel! cruel is leaving dog chained to a fence outside 24/7 or dumping a dog. I now know that I need to go on Ebay and buy a pen and a crate. I am going ahead with the purchase and if it doesn't work I can always think again and consider a doggy day centre. However I would rather not do this I don't want her to be messed around by other people. It will only be 5 weeks till Easter anyhow so I will see how she is till then.