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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this bed cruel for the dog?

246 replies

HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 16/12/2022 08:41

I have a 9 month old dog who is perfectly house trained and has been for months. The last week or so he has suddenly started pooing in his bed overnight (he is crated because he was when I first got him and it suits him and us too for safety reasons - young children in the house etc). He can be quite anxious at times however he has started new medication (steroids) so that could be the culprit of upsetting his stomach. I know it’s not his fault but it’s actually starting to get me quite down having to do a full load of washing of his bed things every morning to then have to repeat it the day after - would it be cruel for me to take away the bedding in his crate until his stomach issues have resolved? He has never used puppy pads (went straight into the garden when toilet training) and I wouldn’t trust him not to chew them overnight anyway. He has the vets tomorrow and they are going to give him some stomach protection medications so hopefully that helps!

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 16/12/2022 09:37

If he is out of his crate and he knows I am sleeping next door in the bedroom he won’t settle and won’t sleep, he just paces all night wanting to come in with me which isn’t happening because I co sleep with younger children and don’t like the thought of something potentially going wrong whilst I’m sleeping

You really shouldn't have a dog given your current circumstances

Dintananadinta · 16/12/2022 09:38

www.amazon.co.uk/Lesure-Raised-Dog-Bed-Medium/dp/B09MQKMNHN/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3UN8HT1LYBVJG&keywords=trampoline+bed+for+dogs&qid=1671183406&sprefix=trampoline+bed%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-3

my dog sleeps on this bed as he chews every bed he has. It’s easy to clean. You wouldn’t have to do loads of washing. You could also put a waterproof mattress protector on it to make it easier to clean.

MrsDoyle351 · 16/12/2022 09:40

How often is he pooing in the night? I'd get him to go out in the garden at say 10pm, 2am and 6am

Yep - this.

Our elderly dog went through a full year of having accidents in the night before he died Sad and yes I was often up letting him out in the garden at all hours. And yes I still had to get up for work early, and sometimes clean a messy floor before leaving. He'd be okay in the day time,

Nosleepforthismum · 16/12/2022 09:40

Dogs hate messing in their beds or anywhere near where they sleep. Keep the bedding and move the crate into a room with hard floors (kitchen/utility) and get a baby gate so they are contained in the one room at least and let them sleep with the crate door open in case of accidents. Crates are not cruel if used properly but in this case it is verging on being cruel if the dog can’t get out to go to the toilet I’m afraid.

cata09x · 16/12/2022 09:40

@girlmom21 so people who don't let their dogs sleep in their beds shouldn't have dogs?😂 her dog feels uncomfortable out of his crate when no one is around, crates are a comfortable, safe space for a lot of dogs. All my rescues take themselves off to their crates by their own will during the day. Try to think before writing comments.

BertieBotts · 16/12/2022 09:41

Use towels and blankets and old bed sheets. They wash well, dry quickly and are inexpensive (look in charity shops/tip shop/ask on freecycle for old ones) so you could have multiple sets.

I think he should have something comfy and warm to lie on.

Dintananadinta · 16/12/2022 09:42

Also we keep our dog in the kitchen. If he has any accidents we can clean it up easily and the door is closed so he can’t escape upstairs and chew things etc.

Stomacharmeleon · 16/12/2022 09:43

I understand using a crate with a puppy and you are training.
At what stage does it stop?
My dog is part and parcel of the home. She was unwell in the summer... had dermatitis.... and had steroid injections. It does upset their stomach. I just can't imagine then locking her away. She needed comfort and attention. Particularly overnight.

I know it's a bit ' shutting the gate after the horse has bolted' but it's another case of not really thinking about the decision to get a dog. You have young co sleeping children and yes they should come first. But what you are doing is unkind.

People on here expect animals and children to just slot in and they don't. Just why bother when you don't want to do what's required of you?

And you know something is amiss or you wouldn't ask. It's just sad really.

SomePosters · 16/12/2022 09:44

If you don’t have time to care for and supervise your dog and your children then why did you get a dog?

what exactly is the thought process here?

how is he supposed to ‘prove’ to you he can settle over night out of his crate when you lock him in every night, leave him to soil himself and then complain about having to clean the mess you left him in?

poor doggo

while I do think crates can be used safely and kindly, this is NOT it.

this is an argument for needing a training course and license before getting a dog

OldReliable · 16/12/2022 09:45

The only answer is for you to get up and let him out to do his business overnight. You can't leave him with no bedding, that's cruel.

DominoRules · 16/12/2022 09:46

My one year dog goes in his crate at night and tries to shut the door and pull the cover down with a paw!!! He’s loved it from day one, we had no intention of using it so long but as soon as we all start getting ready for bed he runs downstairs and huddles in.

I’d go for old towels or covers and getting up regularly to let him out but hopefully he’s back to his usual self soon x

girlmom21 · 16/12/2022 09:46

cata09x · 16/12/2022 09:40

@girlmom21 so people who don't let their dogs sleep in their beds shouldn't have dogs?😂 her dog feels uncomfortable out of his crate when no one is around, crates are a comfortable, safe space for a lot of dogs. All my rescues take themselves off to their crates by their own will during the day. Try to think before writing comments.

I don't think there's anything wrong with her not wanting the dog in her bed. I think there's a lot wrong with the dog being isolated from the family because she doesn't trust it around her young children.

I don't think her circumstances are right. I haven't said she's a bad owner or person.

SpanielSprint · 16/12/2022 09:47

I’m a vet - YABVU and I think it’s quite concerning that you are even considering this to be honest. Your are asking for pressure sores and the poor dog will be very cold and uncomfortable. When my dogs were young puppies and not yet reliable overnight I used to place the crate with doors open in a large puppy pen with newspaper or puppy pads down for them to use if necessary. It would be very unusual for a dog to mess its bed deliberately.

If for whatever reason this isn’t an option for you then look into waterproof dog beds (I have one for my car boot as it copes better with mud etc) or vet bed which is at least quick and easy to launder.

But really it’s not ideal having a dog of this age shut all night in a crate. Dogs aren’t like us, they are not designed to just sleep overnight for 8 hours straight. It’s normal behaviour for them to get up frequently and potter around, and you are preventing this.

HoundHound · 16/12/2022 09:49

Keeping a dog in a cage with no bedding with its own excrement is cruel. Is that not obvious?

threeowlsonashelf · 16/12/2022 09:52

When my dog has a bad stomach we let him out during the night. It's very simple.

StrawberryPot · 16/12/2022 09:52

DominoRules · 16/12/2022 09:46

My one year dog goes in his crate at night and tries to shut the door and pull the cover down with a paw!!! He’s loved it from day one, we had no intention of using it so long but as soon as we all start getting ready for bed he runs downstairs and huddles in.

I’d go for old towels or covers and getting up regularly to let him out but hopefully he’s back to his usual self soon x

Again - you're describing a situation where your dog has autonomy. Sadly far too many dogs don't have this.

The op says her dog sometimes lies on the hard surface rather than the bed in his crate - as if this somehow makes removing the bedding okay. My dogs sometimes lie on the cold flagstones in the kitchen if it's very hot. That doesn't mean they always want to do that.

NKFell · 16/12/2022 09:53

Just because others have brought this up; my dogs are crated and love them. One of my dogs chases me out the house by sitting in his crate, barking for me to close the door and on cold mornings you can find me on all fours reaching to the very back of his crate to try and encourage him to come out for a piddle (although he sees it as time for a tummy tickle). Anyway, crates are fine!

@HopingSomeoneIsAwake Have you tried lots of those fleecy blankets? That's what we use all the time, they come out of the washer almost dry. I would also set an alarm and take him out in the night. Good luck and hopefully the new meds will work.

SeveruslyFrazzled · 16/12/2022 09:54

OP the dog will want something in the crate. What about a few fleecy blankets that you can swap over each night? One to wash and one to sleep.

Coldhouseflowers · 16/12/2022 09:57

Yes he needs bedding and also get rid of the crate, horrible things !

BarrelOfOtters · 16/12/2022 10:00

I don't think keeping a dog in a soiled crate is kind. he needs bedding as it's cold, you could use vet bed. But i think while he's got an upset tummy you need to be getting up to check on him.

And yes, I think it would be kinder for the dog for him to be out the crate, with a puppy pad.

FrostyFifi · 16/12/2022 10:01

I think some of the responses here accusing the OP of cruelty are a bit OTT if you consider that in some countries dogs spend their whole lives outside with a chain around their necks. Bit of perspective is always a good thing...

caringcarer · 16/12/2022 10:01

You must be very dense if you don't know shutting a puppy in a cage with a poorly tummy and no bedding is cruel. Would you take away your kids bedding if they got S&D? Would you shut them in a room and deny their access to the toilet? That's what you are doing to your puppy. If I knew you in real life I'd report you if you did that. Your puppy will be distressed it can't get out to toilet and you are forcing it to then sleep in its own mess now you want to take away it's bedding too. Just think how would you like to be treated. Get up in the night a couple of times and let your dog out to toilet. My dogs are in comfy baskets with 2 fleece blankets each. They can go out through flap if they need toilet in the night and I leave underfloor heating on all night to keep them cosy. I pity your poor puppy.

Geogaddi · 16/12/2022 10:02

I don't understand why you would ask a question on mumsnet and then spend the rest of the time just shutting people down and being nasty to everyones responses.

BatshitBanshee · 16/12/2022 10:02

I had a crate with one dog as a pup - she was fine, it was huge and she liked her own space. Have other dogs without crates - also fine. Crate is not the issue here.

Issue is OP who wants to strip the dog of its bedding because he has a dicky tummy. Yes that would be cruel, yes you're unreasonable, yes there are other options and yes you really do sound like someone who should not have got a dog. At all.

Mattress protectors, cheap fleece blankets, get up during the night and let the dog out. Have you informed the vet of the accidents due to the medication? Is it diarrhea or solids? How long has this been happening? Did you even look into basic animal care before getting the dog? Lord help you if pup ends up with any complicated health issues. However will you cope.

BatshitBanshee · 16/12/2022 10:03

Also: dogs don't shit where they eat or sleep. To be pooing in the bed, the dog is desperate. Put more effort in being a good owner and less into attacking people online who are pointing out that you are very, very unreasonable.