AIBU to leave dog in shower for one day?

[showerdog]

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.

Why can’t you dog proof a room for it instead of keeping it in a cage?

Have people here honestly never heard of a crate trained dog? What do you think people do with destructive dogs that can injure themselves?

For some dogs, for whatever reason, a crate is the safest place, providing a dog is properly crate trained, exercised prior and left for max 4 hours.

Even when not crate trained, my dog would sleep in one spot all morning and wouldn't move. Having a large space doesn't make up for lack of exercise either, that is most important and the biggest factor.

FFS read the post. It’s a small dog (9lb) and not left in the crate all day - 4 hours max. And it’s a safety issue - for the good of the dog, not the owner.

Honestly op you need to post this somewhere where people understand dogs. Not here where they’ve read something someone wrote last week and repeat it like a fuckin parrot having never even touched a dog.

Do you have a hallway and a baby gate if you have stairs?
Or even in the bathroom but somehow block the toilet off?

My dog would lose her mind being confined in a small space that they didn’t know well and she would panic.

Theres a big chance your dog would definitely cause himself an injury and do more harm being out in there than somewhere bigger because it’s not his usual place so he’s trying to get out.

fucking hell no you can’t confine your dog to a shower

I've had dogs for probably longer than you have been alive.

I've never stuck a dog in a cage.

4 hours is a long time, big or small. How would you like being stuck in cage for 4 hours?

I would probably just take the day off work tbh! I had a little dog who had surgery for a luxating patella and was on box rest for quite some time, after her healing period I got her a little set of stairs to use to get onto the sofa and the bed, if that's an option for the future for your dog?

I bet you make it shit outside too!! Unbelievable!!!

Surely he could be left in a kitchen? If there is nothing he could try to jump up on? why a shower cubicle??? That is the last place I would think of leaving a dog!!!

I bet you make it shit outside too!! Unbelievable!!!

Wtf are you on about?

I should have posted in The Dog House.

Believe it or not, a lot of common, everyday practices are not safe that people do everyday. My dog does not wear a collar in the house due to the risks, nor does he have toys or treats unsupervised in any capacity. Again, for his safety. But to some, I suppose this is cruel as well.

However, he is walked daily, gets enrichment past just ten minutes of playing and sees a vet for every small, minor thing. He has the best dog food I can buy, is well trained and a very spoilt boy.

I have had dogs for years and understand their needs well. He is very well looked after. To me, leaving a crate trained dog for four hours is much safer than some of the conditions I see dogs left in, i.e, free roaming with access to children's toys, cleaning products and electrical outlets.

The crate situation is temporary anyway. My eventual plan is to leave him in the kitchen with a baby gate, however there are some loose wires and a ground level plug socket I need to cover first as one time a few minutes ago he showed interest in it and it's not worh the risk. Again, his safety is my utmost priority.

*months

Kitchen chairs maybe but they could be lifted onto the table

I think it is fine if it is just four hours. Take him for a proper walk before, make it comfy and he will be fine. My dog feels safe in the bathroom when she is scared (only when fireworks happen twice a year). So she goes in there to seek refuge.

I’d be calling in sick to work and sorting out my dog.
But if that’s absolutely out of the question I don’t see it being a problem for the time period you are considering. Mine would howl the place down though.

Omg please don't do that, it'll trap heat and could kill him! What you thinking.

My only concern would be if he got fed up and pushed on the glass door or paws up on the glass. Could possibly break.

Can you cover the wires in the kitchen with anything and leave him in there?

You're saying his safety is your top priority but surely that has to be joint with his wellbeing?

I would crate a dog for four hours if I was in a pinch and absolutely had to but if I worked several days a week and it was a common occurrence then I'd be finding alternatives. I understand the house is openplan but couldn't you use guards / gates for example in the hall or in the kitchen? Remove any tables / chairs and such so there is nothing he can physically jump onto?

If it was a choice between leaving my elderly dog in a crate for four hours or having to live with my dining table in the living room then it would be a complete no brainer. I don't think leaving him in the shower for one day is the question you should be asking, more what you can do to make sure his safety and wellbeing are being looked after? The crate isn't the permanent solution imho. But that's just me. If you're happy to leave him crated for 4 hours then I guess the shower isn't so different...

Shower doors can spontaneously break

I can't move for shower doors just shattering into pieces. I think we're on our 27th in about six years.

Oh I’m sorry I thought it was obvious… I’m making fun of you.

FWIW, I'm going to leave him in the bathroom and block off the toilet. My friend is now bringing over a play pen I'm going to use to block the toilet off with.

Also, up until now, his crate was non-negotiable. Even leaving him in the kitchen or bathroom wasn't a possibility. He's only recently been cleared to jump up again, ie, putting his paws up against a surface. The last few weeks, anytime he's not been fully supervised, he's been crated. If I wanted to pee, he got crated. He was crated at night, apart from when we'd get up to let him out. Spinal disc injuries are not something you can play around with. It's been absolutely miserable but it's the only way for him to heal properly, bar putting him to sleep, which I don't want to do as he's seven and his breed lives for double that!

Oh it's all so funny.

Keeping dogs in a cage for hours is endless fun and games.

@showerdog sorry OP I started typing, went to do something, then finished and so didn't see your update about the eventual solution being the kitchen + babygate. Please disregard my reply and I hope your dogs health improves