Crate and 16 week old puppy

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

I have not left my puppy for more than an hour or so since we got him 9 weeks ago. This Friday, I want to take my toddler to playgroup - it is time for him to have some fun too . It means I will be out for 2 hours or so. When he has been left alone before, he has always been in his crate but DH thinks that 2 hours is too long to be in the crate during the day. Is he right? Thanks xx

The point of the crate is to keep puppy and your things safe. If you really dont want him to be in the crate how about a stair gate in the kitchen, making sure all wires and anything chewable is out of reach. Personally i wouldnt have an issue about crating for 2 hours or so

Thanks sluttybuttons. I tried to leave him out of the crate this afternoon but he got upset by my leaving so I put him in his crate and left, he was happy! I just didnt want to be cruel by leaving him for too long.

Shouty, I've had my puppy 7 weeks and can leave her in it during the day no problem. The first few weeks I rushed back from wherever I'd been (usually the supermarket) only to find that she didn't budge when I opened her crate. Before I got her I was the sort of person who thought I'd never leave my pup in a crate during the day but I've been amazed how much she loves it in there, door open or closed. I did all that stuff at the beginning to accustom her to it - close the door for a minute, close the door and walk out of the kitchen then come straight back in, etc etc, to build her up to being left. I'm not sure it made any difference though! The one thing I do, I should add, is to plan any trips out (and to be honest the most I've left her is 2 hours) for after her walk. Then once I know she's not hungry, has been to the loo, and is tired, I pop her in there. In fact she usually trots in there herself. The reason the crate is important for me is that I've 2 cats and they like the kitchen too. Plus I know that if she's crated I won't come back to a puddle. I'd say go for it if you think your pup likes her crate and her sleep.

Thanks yesbutnobut. DH will walk him in the morning and I will have a play with him after the schoolrun so I think I will just crate him for playgroup after that , which is from 10 till 11 30.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised :)

He'll be fine. And he needs to learn what to do while he's on his own when you're out anyway.

Two hours in a crate for a puppy is perfectly fine during the day - that's one of the purposes of having one! To make sure that when you leave a pup for a reasonable amount of time (which 2 hours definitely is), that they have somewhere safe and secure to sleep in. The alternative is far more unsettling for him, because he just won't know what he's supposed to do while you're out.

By crating him for a couple of hours, he'll learn that the best thing to do while you're out is sleep or have a bit of a chew on a toy. It's a good grounding for a dog who'll eventually be quite happy whenever you go out and snuggle down for a snooze.

Playgroup again today so pup was in crate for two hours. When I returned, I could hear him out in the street. He was obviously distressed. Even though he had been for a walk, had a lovely play, had a pigs ear to chewon, etcetc he hated it and had urinated inthe crate (which he never does at night or if i am gone for an hour). My guessis he is suffering from separation anxiety . this happened last time too. What now?

oh dear shouty . hope someone comes along to help you.

Bump

Would it help to keep the crate door open, and put it in a safe room that you can shut?

My dog will not stay in a crate. In fact she will not stay alone at home. Ever. Major separation anxiety. But, she will happily stay in the car and sleep till we return. So we leave the windows rolled down a bit and the car unlocked (know it is not safe, but needs must). Then we can check on her and she is happy.

For some reason, the car is associated with all wonderful things. Our dog would cry when we left her with the dog sitter and we drove away. But if the dog sitter picks her up in the car, she is supremely happy and doesn't mind leaving us

Actually, I take that back. The dog would stay at home when we were taking care of our friend's dog. I think it is having company that made the difference.

Build up to it gradually. Give her a play , meal etc then pop her in the crate while you have a cup of coffee in the same room, ignore any behaviour but click and treat calm behaviour. Leave her for just a minute and let her out when she is settled.

Do this several times a day.

Then build up to leaving her when you go into another room etc reward the calm behaviour - make no fuss of her when you let her out or in.

Very quickly she will get used to being happy in her crate in the day. However if you only put her in there shut the door the house is quiet she will associate the crate with being left.

Shouty do you think this was a one off? Perhaps something/one (e.g. postman) disturbed your pup? It would be a shame if you couldn't leave her for the playgroup which I think you enjoy going to. Test her out over the weekend maybe?

I dont think it was a one off. It seems to be based on time. One hour ok, two hours not. I also dont think it is the crate - he goes in there on his own and is very fond of it. It is not me either - he is happy to stay at home if a stranger is here too.