Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to leave dog in shower for one day?

164 replies

showerdog · 05/06/2022 20:14

Elderly dog has back issues, can't be left unsupervised not in a crate because he will jump on and off furniture and risks hurting himself. He is not destructive and never has been, but his crate is broken. Can I leave him in a large, walk in shower for one day whilst I'm at work? He sleeps in the shower in the summer when it's shut, only difference is the door will be shut. He will obviously have his usual blanket and water. AIBU? I can't think of another safe place in my open plan house. Even the toilet is a risk as he will try and sit on it or jump on it.

OP posts:
Original poster
showerdog · 05/06/2022 20:15

*when its hot as likes the cool surface

OP posts:
FedUpToTheBackTooth · 05/06/2022 20:16

How many hours will he be left?

Blueshimmer · 05/06/2022 20:16

You sure he won’t break the glass/door?

QuestionableMouse · 05/06/2022 20:17

How long would he be in there? Is there enough space for him to stretch out and turn around? No chance he could pop the door off and hurt himself?

Cantstopsneezing2022 · 05/06/2022 20:18

Might it be a bit slippy?
There are often crates on market place.

Thehawki · 05/06/2022 20:18

Do you have a kitchen or hall that you can shut the door on instead and pop a bed into? Or any family you can take him to while you wait for your new crate?

MrszClaus · 05/06/2022 20:18

I think Y may BU, shutting them in the shower might be a bit stressful for them (especially if normally they only snooze in there on occasion with the door open). Is the shower big enough for them to stretch and move and walk about? Will they be close to their mess if they have an accident?

Can you not get a replacement crate if they are crate trained?

Undecicive · 05/06/2022 20:18

No. Shower doors can spontaneously break or be broken by a dog panicked by anything.

BringBackCoffeeCreams · 05/06/2022 20:20

Surely you wouldn't leave him in a crate all day, that's cruel.

MissMaple82 · 05/06/2022 20:20

Ffs totally unreasonable, you cannot confine a dog to a small space all days whilst you work.

Bellysmackers · 05/06/2022 20:21

I think If it's somewhere he is familiar with and has slept in before, so long as he has his blanket and water it shouldn't be too bad. My concern would be if he needs to go to the loo?? There are so many dog walkers on local fb sites etc these days, I'm sure for a minimal fee you could find someone who could call round and just let him out as a one off or ask friends on fb? Lots of dog walkers would be willing to help I'm sure.

MissMaple82 · 05/06/2022 20:21

Keeping them in a crate all day is ethically wrong too!

CrapBucket · 05/06/2022 20:21

I think it would be kinder to repair or replace the crate. If you ask on local groups eg freegle Facebook etc, someone might be able to give or lend you one.

dudsville · 05/06/2022 20:22

I agree with the pp's re the potential for broken glass, it's safety glass probably, but still dangerous for pups, also the floor is slippery and you alread know he'll try the toilet seat. I've had to call in sick because of my dogs before, sometimes it's needed to keep them well. It sounds like you need a house sitter or a safe day care for frailer pups.

Darbs76 · 05/06/2022 20:23

No dog should be left all day at all, if you’re working then someone should be letting the dog out / walking it. But yes if you’re desperate I don’t see why not but it won’t be very pleasant. Put a bed in there too

Original poster
showerdog · 05/06/2022 20:25

I am picking up a new crate tomorrow evening. This one would be for one day. He is not left all dag, I am home at lunch. He also weighs 9lbs so definitely won't break a shower door.

It is a shower much larger than a bath. His crate is smaller than the shower so he definitely has enough room and blankets on the floor.

OP posts:
Original poster
showerdog · 05/06/2022 20:26

Also to add, I am replacing the crate. This is for a singular day. He is never left all day under any circumstances, in a crate or not.

OP posts:
Badger1970 · 05/06/2022 20:29

Putting an elderly dog into a crate is inhuman Sad let alone a bloody shower cubicle.

UnshakenNeedsStirring · 05/06/2022 20:33

I feel sorry for the dog, so youll go in the morning, put him in crate. then come after 4 hours for a bit, then put him in the crate again for another 4 hours?!!

Original poster
showerdog · 05/06/2022 20:38

No I work mornings only. He gets walked before I go to work, goes in his crate for max 4 hours and then comes out and gets walked again. He can't be left anywhere he could jump off a surface as he is not allowed to jump on or furniture, or even do stairs.

After his initial injury, he was literally on crate rest pretty much 24/7 and wasn't even allowed to walk. We have spent months rehabbing him back to being mobile. I know crates are not peoples first option but when it's literally a health and safety issue, I will choose that over the £1000's spent and the long, hard recovery. Keeping him safe is my priority!

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 05/06/2022 20:38

Are you leaving that poor dog in a cage all day long? How would you feel if someone locked you in a cage for a day?

How can you be so cruel?

avocadodi · 05/06/2022 20:39

Well I guess a walk in shower is more roomy than a crate 😞
Can you not replace the crate with a playpen? At least then he can potter around a bit?
Must be awful stuck in a crate all day.
I have crate trained myself, but my dog was in it for 5 hours a day with a dog walker taking her for 1.5 of those hours.

RunningFromInsanity · 05/06/2022 20:40

You should have put this in Doghouse where we actually know the benefits of crate usage.
You know your dog, and whether it is suitable.

NotMyFinestMoment · 05/06/2022 20:41

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but if it is a warm day, your dog could overheat trapped in a shower for several hours (or all day). Can't you just leave the dog in the bathroom (put the lid down on the toilet)/kitchen/hallway with its bed, toys, food and water.

avocadodi · 05/06/2022 20:41

And I only used the crate until she was 9 months old and stopped being destructive.
You definitely need to rethink. Either playpen or stair gate a small area off.