We always crate the dogs when we leave the house, whether for a short time or a long time. For two reasons, one of which was already mentioned by RBARK from another thread *projectile diarrhea* and two, to make sure we will come home to the same house, untouched, undestroyed by BORED TEETH. =P
Last Sunday, me and my DH had an appointment to meet our gym trainor and we were in such a hurry to leave because we were running late. We let the dogs inside their crates and said a brief goodbye and left. Cain's crate lock has to be double checked, sometimes it doesn't lock properly. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to double check it before we left.
The meeting took about 2 1/2 hours, afterwhich me and my Dh decided to buy slurpee on the way home as a treat to ourselves, not only was it freaking hot that day, it will also serve as our last slurpee for awhile.
3 hours later since we left, Dh opened the door, and guess who greeted us by the door. CAIN!!!! His tail wagging with a huge grin on his face. I was instantly worried. Some months ago, him and his brother ABEL wrecked a roll of tissue paper inside the bathroom. And he has the habit of sticking his head inside their bag of food.
Without saying HI to the poor dog, I run into the house and checked everything... HIS brother still locked in the crate.. Poor guy must have been overly jealous by the freedom CAIN got to enjoy for three hours. Cain, most likely failed to figure our how to let his brother out. Thank goodness. Because if I am to choose which one will be crated if we ever have to leave the house, it will be ABEL. HE is sooo bad with counter surfing. I am still working on it. =P
To cut the story short, Cain, my proud big boy, most likely just lay down on their puppy couch. Nothing was shredded, nothing was chewed and nothing was destroyed... My boy can now be trusted!!! There were a few times when we let them sleep outside their crate at night, I feel comfortable just because I know I'd be able to hear them if there is any mischief going on. But I wasn't really sure if we can leave them having free roam of the house if WE ARE NOT HOME.
Obviously my boy is ready... and just showed he is indeed a big boy now. BUT I still opt to crate them both... I DONT WANT ANY CASE OF PROJECTILE DIARRHEA to happen while we're gone...
