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Original poster

Leaving dog in crate

99 replies

whoami24601 · 09/11/2020 20:11

This is a bit of a niche issue so bear with me.

We foster dogs for a local charity. On Friday we got our latest - a beautiful and very well behaved 2 year old staffy. Pretty sure he's mixed with something though as he's v stocky and tall for a staff. He's crate trained but his previous owners took the crate away a few months ago so he's not been in one for a while. We do have a crate and he's been sleeping in it quite happily. Today I left him for the first time for a few hours with no problems.

Today I get a text from DD8 school. Her bubble has burst and she will need to be home for the next 2 weeks. DH is working from home so I'll still be expected to go to work. His office is currently in the loft up a ladder so he can't take the dog upstairs with him.

Would it be totally awful to put dog in his crate for the day while DD is in the same room? He's a big dog and not that well known to us to trust him and DD to be alone together for any length of time!

I really don't know what other options I have! He wouldn't be in there for more than four hours still as DH will come down and let him out on his lunch.

Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
whoami24601 · 09/11/2020 20:12

Sorry that did have paragraphs Hmm

OP posts:
MrsTumbletap · 09/11/2020 20:30

I would say he needs to go upstairs with your DH. Its not your daughters responsibility and dog can't stay in a crate all day, that would be an awful introduction to a family.

Or your DH needs to move his office temporarily downstairs?

Original poster
whoami24601 · 09/11/2020 20:34

Unfortunately upstairs isn't an option - DH is in the loft with a ladder for access and he has quite an elaborate setup that can't be moved! He's be in the crate anyway as we'd all be out it's just whether it's ok to do it while DD is in the room with him. I know it's not ideal but I honestly can't see another way!

OP posts:
PollyRoulson · 09/11/2020 20:40

You need to get back in touch with the rescue and say your circumstances have changed and you cannot foster for 2 weeks.

I am really surprised any rescue let you foster a dog that is crated all day or I have I misunderstood that?

MabelMoo23 · 09/11/2020 20:40

You can’t leave a dog in a crate for hours on end!

fruitpastille · 09/11/2020 20:40

Can your dd go up in the loft with dh with books/ tablet for school work?

If the dog is going to be in a crate anyway I don't see what the problem is whether your DD is nearby or not.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 09/11/2020 20:41

Can’t you give him the run of a room (kitchen?) and leave dd in a different one (her bedroom/ the sitting room?)?

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 09/11/2020 20:42

No it's not a acceptable, you surely know that?!. How the fuck are you allowed to foster?!

MabelMoo23 · 09/11/2020 20:42

@PollyRoulson it’s my understanding as well that the dog is crated all day.

So if you’ve misunderstood, then so have I!!

Original poster
whoami24601 · 09/11/2020 20:43

Dog is crated while we work but not for longer than 4 hours. He gets a walk before we leave and one when we get back and is also let out at lunchtime. Is that not normal? We did that with our last foster!

OP posts:
Betty94 · 09/11/2020 20:45

It's fine to crate dogs for up to four hours a day (some cases even longer but I personally don't like doing it any longer).

The only thing I'd worry about is DD going to leave the dog alone while he's in the crate? Is she going to be tempted to let him out to play? Etc

PrayingandHoping · 09/11/2020 20:45

A dog shouldn't be left in a crate for that period of time constantly. It's not normal at all. Does the rescue know that u do this?

PrayingandHoping · 09/11/2020 20:47

It's it 4 hours a day though.... it's not over 4 hours at a time. Its in the crate all day with breaks

AnnaFiveTowns · 09/11/2020 20:47

Poor dog. I think crating a dog for more than an hour is shockingly cruel - I can't believe you even have to ask! Just tell them you can't do it.

MabelMoo23 · 09/11/2020 20:47

Why on earth are you fostering if you are just shoving the dog in a crate???!!!

PollyRoulson · 09/11/2020 20:47

No rescue that I have every had contact with would foster out dogs to people that needed to be crate the dogs for 4 hours a day.

So no it is not normal.

Floralnomad · 09/11/2020 20:49

I’m also stunned that any rescue allow you to foster knowing that a dog is shut in a cage for hours a day . Assuming you work ft and that the dog is caged overnight that means the dog is in a cage for 15/16 hours a day .

Moondust001 · 09/11/2020 20:50

I'm quite shocked that a rescue would permit this in any circumstances. It really isn't providing the dog with ideal living circumstances, and a dog in rescue needs contact, company, reassurance and assessment in a home. Not sticking in a box.

Svelteinmydreams · 09/11/2020 20:52

It sounds like this foster is not a good fit for you, with your young daughter.
It’s a kind thing you are trying to do, but crated to that extent is too much. I assume the dog is crated overnight too?

I think you need to ask the rescue to take the dog back

JayAlfredPrufrock · 09/11/2020 20:53

It’s not just 4 hours is it though? It’s twice that every day.

Shocking.

Betty94 · 09/11/2020 20:55

@JayAlfredPrufrock

It’s not just 4 hours is it though? It’s twice that every day.

Shocking.

Oh I think I've read it wrong, so the dogs crated for 8 hours a day and then again at night oh no I don't like that, that's not fair - I thought it was only for four hours a day which isn't ideal but okay. If it's 8 hours a day then I don't think a dogs for you OP I'm sorry.
Original poster
whoami24601 · 09/11/2020 20:55

Ok so I'm seeing I have to defend myself. We don't just 'shove the dog in a crate'. I work part time school hours at the school round the corner from my house. So the dog is in the crate while I'm out of the house but DH is here so can hear if he's distressed and will come down and let him out for an hour at lunch. I leave at 825 and am home by 305 3 days a week. The rest of the time he's with me or DH and is adequately walked/ exercised/ cuddled etc. The rescue are fully aware of our personal circumstances and are happy with the situation. My only question was if it would be ok to do this with DD in the room/ around the house or if he would find it too upsetting. Could people answer the question I asked please instead of making assumptions about my life?

OP posts:
cherrypiepie · 09/11/2020 20:56

I will add the same as all pp. a dog should not be crated for 8 hours per day even with breaks. Ever. Max one hour - two at push. I'm surprised you think it is ok, doesn't it strike you as bit mean?

Contact the rescue. And say you cannot have the dog as from now.

It is not normal, no.

PrayingandHoping · 09/11/2020 21:00

The dog is in a crate from 8.30-3 with an hours break for lunch unless he sounds upset

I'm a fan of crates when used properly but this is not ok.

PollyRoulson · 09/11/2020 21:01

To answer your specific question No it is not alright to crate the dog for that length of time when your daughter is or is not in the room.

Would you be willing to name the rescue?

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