Crate issue question

samd12

Our 13 week old puppy can last 4 hours in the crate without relieving himself during the night, He has gone 4 and a half hours while we sleep. When we leave him alone in the crate during the day while at work for a 4 hour period he wets on his blanket and towel. We wash the blanket and towel and completely clean the crate and spray Natures Miracle to clean it up afterwords. He is half Lab and half Weimaraner breed. For these two breeds he is a very calm puppy. Any Ideas??
Thank you!!

Labsnothers

How much room does he have? He really doesn't need more than enough to stretch out. That we have gotten away with leaving 7 week old Labs in a 36'' crate doesn't mean it is a good idea. The less room, the less activity, and the longer they can hold it. We now use a smaller crate and block off part of it.

A grid in the bottom can keep a puppy dry until they are big enough to hold it longer. Ours seldom have accidents even left 4-5 hours. The grid reduces the mess of the occasional one. They are available with the crates, but expensive and hard to find. A piece of closely spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. I am now using a plastic vegetable bin with plenty of holes drilled in the bottom. It helps block off part of the crate for the smaller puppy. If you already have a metal crate, covering it may help. Just make sure you use something the puppy can't pull in and chew.

samd12

We have a larger 42" crate for him to grow into but it has a spacer which is set to give him just enogh room to lay spread out. It it a wire crate with a solid tray in the bottom that slides out to be cleaned. We have a blanket in it that came from the place we got him (he took right to the crate with it) and a towel from our home (for our scent) in there. If I wanted to do something with the bottom like drill holes or put a smaller wire mesh in there I would think that I would have to remove those? Would that be a good idea? The first night we could not get him out of the crate even with the door open, once he was left in there for the first time and the house was empty his attitude changed. He now has to be coaxed in with a treat. He is down to whining about 5 minutes before he stops, maybe ten minutes if he is in the crate and people are moving about in the morning in and out of sight. From what I have read dogs only live in the moment and would not do such a thing as a human would for spite but it seems like he may not be happy being left in the house alone. With that said I am leaning towards some anxiety issues, although if this is the case I feel they are not major yet but would like to head this off at the pass before they get worse (if this is the case).
Also we do leave an ipod playing music very low in volume when ever he is in there (nights and days). He is in the crate when he sleeps at night and for 4 hours in the day, other than that he is allowed in 2 rooms in the house at this point, we are waiting for complete house breaking before releasing him to the remainder of the house. We have been walking him in the morning before he is left in there for the 4 hours in the day to try to wear him out a bit. I appreciate the feedback.
One other question too, at about what age can we expect to get 6 hours out of him in the crate, or even better yet how do you start extending the time he stays in there and be safe. I will be looking forward to the that full nights sleep again :-)
Thanks again!

Labsnothers

We don't use any bedding in the crate.



I hate to see any dog left over 4-5 hours. If you can't make it back for a mid day break, maybe a neighbor or professional dog walker could. When he is a little older, you couldlook for a doggy day care.

SandyPuppy

At his age I think its great that he can hold it for up to 4 1/2 hours.
But he is so young, you really can't expect him to hold it that long every time, or to be at all reliable yet.
You might get it sooner, but you can't count on 6 hours of sleep until he is at least 5 months old.

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