Crate training and time spent in them

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dizzyf

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What's the maximum time recommended for a dog to stay in a crate?

My cousin's dog has 'seperation anxioty' so is being crate trained. The dog destroys the house while my cousin's at work.

I personally think it's boredom, as no dog should be left alone all day whilst your at work. (Which is why I have rabbits instaed at the moment!!)
 
Mine stays in his for 8 hours overnight and when I'm all moved out he'll be in while I'm at work with either myself or someone else taking him out at lunchtime.
 
My dogs stay in their crate overnight.

In the day time rather than crate them I have a small outisde loo and porch, so they stay out there during the day when I'm not around.

The trick with crate training is to make them love their crate!
 
My dogs love my crate, because I put the time into making it a happy place for them, to begin they got given treats only in bed, then I upgraded to a nice 13.5tog duvet and a throw over- now they take themselves to bed at 10pm and don't get up til 7am
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oh and durin the day etc I never shut them in there - it isn't a prison,its their cave
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In the beginnig of crate training it is best for the periods in the crate to start off longer then gradually decrease the time(for an adult) dog, they are fab for seperation anxiety provided they are used correctly.
A few good tipe

1, alway exercise the dog to the maximum before leaving for a longer period.
2, the dog must be placed in the crate when the owner is in the house aswell as out.
3, Have a mixture of stimulating and long lasting treats treats, kong filled with their dry diet mixed with tuna, jumbone, butchers uncoocked bone, pigs ears, all positive assosiaters and swap them accordingly.
4, For sever anxiety 2 crates is a good method(can explain if need be)

Crates can eventually be discarded eventually, but most dogs love them still.
Your origional question, it really depends on the dog, for a dog with seperation anxiety it's not a good idea to leave the dog in there a whole working day without a brea/exercise inbetween.
 
I'm crate training my puppy. And like said above its got to be made a nice place. Not a cage to be shut away in.
I only ever feed / treat in the crate, it has nice bedding, and plenty of room to lay flat out, and lay off bedding if he gets warm.

We've only had pup a week, but he knows when all his toys go in the crate, its time for him to go in, either day or night. When he comes out all his toys do too. And he already chooses to have to occational kip in there during the day.
He's in a max of 7 hrs overnight, and 2 hrs twice a day, and he settles down to sleep within 10 mins.

Just dont forget, to 'toilet' and excercise the dog before hand, so they are sleepy. They then dont have as much energy to stress, and settle quicker.
Also when going to let the dog out, I always wait til they are sat quietly, even for a split second. So they dont learn that the more excited they are and the more they scream, equals freedom quicker. Or they'll soon get into a habit of moaning until there released

We've got a dog with seperation anxiety, and always leave a radio on for him, and it does help him to settle.
In my experience its best with SE dogs to crate train them for short periods to start. so start with just enough time for them to settle, and go back. They will then learn that when they are calm, you return quicker. You can then extend the time, once they trust you'll be back, as company is there best reward
 
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