Crates re: starbucks post below

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WelshRareBit

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My two JRT pups have a large dog crate which they sleep in at night. They are very clean and content in their crate and often take themselves off to bed when they've had enough!

Unfortunately when i go to work in the mornings, they go to work on my living room - and destroy it!! I come home to a massive mess which while not a problem, if there was a reasonable way out of it (until they grow out of it) then Id rather do that!

Starbucks mentioned someone recommended a crate to her for similar problems. Is it acceptable to leave my puppies in a crate whilst I am at work during the mornings? I would have thought it alittle long (4 hours) but if someone with a bit more savvy knows it wouldnt harm them then I might give it a try.

No problems if not, I'll have good fun making my living room into a no fun area with nothing but toys and certainly NO wicker items...

They love the wicker you see!!!
smirk.gif
 
I know some people do use a crate for when they out at work. But what I did was kept my puppy in the kitchen (where his crate was) and made sure there was nothing he could destroy - then as he got older I gradulally allowed him access to the dining room and finally the living room as well when we out.

Could you leave them in a puppy proof room with their crate in?
 
It's only when you get a puppy that you realise what puppy proofing entails! Im learning every day what they will attack and not!!
So far the list goes:
wicker baskets
shells from in plant pots
plants themselves
soil
a willow decoration
one of my teddies (murdered most evilly!)

It wouldnt be an issue to puppy proof my room though, but just a bit awkward as its the living room they are in (my kitchen would be the second good place so I might go down that road if the naughtiness continues!!! x
 
My JRT (5yo) still goes in his puppy crate (Massive German Shepherd sized one) when I'm out. My problem was he had to be crated till he was neutured as at the time had 3x unspeyed bitches. Then after he was neutured he automatically took himself to his crate and if you didn't shut the door he would hurl himself at the front door, howl and get distressed. He doesn't get left for more than about 4hrs (plus I only work 2 weeks in every 6), the crate is massive so he can lie down at fully stretch and still not touch the sides and he is happier in there. Call me a bad mum, but I have not guilt about leaving him locked up!!!
 
I used to put boris in the kitchen where his crate was, if i was out long time (4/6hours) but now at 17 months i have no problem with him roaming in lounge/kitchen... in fact he just dozes the whole time i am out... He got his chews, bones, toys which he knows THAT is only items he can put his teeth into!!... So far i had no problems or any teeth marks on items other than than his toys! (he doesn't touch them, just sleeps)
 
Its fine to put them in a crate...and very important for safety and behaviour at such a young age....it not only teaches them to get used to being in a confined space without causing damage or passing motions...therfor not even giving them a chance to get into bad habits...it keep them safe from chewing and eating foreign objects...which could be potentialy fatal...esp if chewing through a cable.

As suggestedwhen reducing time spent in crate it should be done.....gradually and in the same space the crate resides....gradually increasing the space.....I always wait till thay are ou of the puppy satges and reaching maturity.
 
LOL at the wicker, my 8 month border has completely chewed the bottom of a wicker box we use as a coffee table. It now has an interesting see through look at the bottom!
 
Thanks for the comments guys, my crate is huge (i think i overeastimated how many inches tall a JRT was...!!) Its easily big enough for two teenage labs to fit in - so my JRT's find it super roomy.
I'm glad to hear that you guys think it could work, as CALA said I am constantly worried about them chewing through cables (that said I turn every plug off but one mistake could be fatal!)
I am going to pilot the idea tomorrow and see how it goes, I think I'll rig up my video camera to see what kind of mischeif goes on in there!!
 
i have a medium sized crate for my JRT, she stays in it @ night & during the day being let out in the mornings/lunchtime/evenings & most of the day @ when someones home. to be honest she sleeps most of the time when no-ones there. if we could she might be 'out' during the day but our other dog can open all the unlocked doors in the house so puppy can get upstairs hence she is in a cage. i dont see it as a prob some people only let their dogs out to go for a walk or in the garden, something about being in a 'routine'
 
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