[Poodlemaniac]

I might have to take on a part time job in the evenings...maybe from 6-11. That means I'll have to leave my 7 year old toy poodle alone at home or at my shop. I'm not concerned too much about leaving her at my shop as there's plenty of room and it's all cement and vinyl so if she has to pee or whatever it's no big deal. However, on occassion I might have to leave her at home...is 6 hours too long to crate her? I can block of the kitchen area and leave her there which will obviously give her a little more room. any thoughts?

thanks!
Andy

[Chloef_2799]

How long do you leave her alone rght now on average?
Is she normally crated when you leave her alone?
Is she used to the crate and was she crate trained at any time in her life? If you can leave her in the kitchen then I would do that. Make sure there is nothing she can get into that might hurt her and make sure she has toys and a comfy bed and food and water.

[Poodlemaniac]

Originally Posted by Chloef_2799

How long do you leave her alone rght now on average?
Is she normally crated when you leave her alone?
Is she used to the crate and was she crate trained at any time in her life? If you can leave her in the kitchen then I would do that. Make sure there is nothing she can get into that might hurt her and make sure she has toys and a comfy bed and food and water.

She's with me 24/7 right now. I've had her for about 4 months. I take her to work with me during the day...I'm self employed. I got her from a breeder who used her for breeding so I think she's at least been kept in a cage...don't know about a crate...when you say crate do you mean like a wire crate thing or something like a travel crate? Thanks for the reply.

[Chloef_2799]

Wow, so was she from a puppy mill? I only ask that because when dogs are left in a crate and used for breeding only that usualy constitutes a BYB or a puppymill. She may not react that well to being crated after a life like that. And yes I mean metal or wire cage or a travel cage/crate, some people call them kennels too.
If she is never away from you then I would suggest confining her to one room like the kitchen as you said. Get her used to it by leaving her alone for short periods before you start this new job. Leave her in the kitchen for 15 minutes and when you come back to her give her lots of treats and praise, reassure her if she gets nervous. Like I said make sure she has a comfy bed and toys to occupy her and food and water also. You might have to talk to a behaviourist or get advice from a trainer or other people if she is too nervous about being left alone. I have never had experience with a dog who had problems being left alone. Chloe and Sadie my dogs get run of the house when we leave and they have never had any bad reactions (knock on wood!! Sadie is only abour four months old!). I work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Friday from 8 AM til 2 PM and Chloe and Sadie wait at the door for me, they know when I leave and when I come home. Dogs are good at working out schedules and most of the time will be alright with being left alone for short periods (4 to 6 hours on average). I used to put one of my shirts into Chloe's kennel when we left her when she was a puppy because she would whine and cry alot. You might consider leaving something with you dog that smells like you to comfort her if you want to? Make sure it is something you don't mind her sleeping on or even chewing on or peeing on though (that shirt of mine is now her blanket hehe).
I wish you luck, hopefully she reacts well and everything turns out alright for you!

[Poodlemaniac]

Originally Posted by Chloef_2799

Wow, so was she from a puppy mill? I only ask that because when dogs are left in a crate and used for breeding only that usualy constitutes a BYB or a puppymill. She may not react that well to being crated after a life like that. And yes I mean metal or wire cage or a travel cage/crate, some people call them kennels too.
If she is never away from you then I would suggest confining her to one room like the kitchen as you said. Get her used to it by leaving her alone for short periods before you start this new job. Leave her in the kitchen for 15 minutes and when you come back to her give her lots of treats and praise, reassure her if she gets nervous. Like I said make sure she has a comfy bed and toys to occupy her and food and water also. You might have to talk to a behaviourist or get advice from a trainer or other people if she is too nervous about being left alone. I have never had experience with a dog who had problems being left alone. Chloe and Sadie my dogs get run of the house when we leave and they have never had any bad reactions (knock on wood!! Sadie is only abour four months old!). I work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Friday from 8 AM til 2 PM and Chloe and Sadie wait at the door for me, they know when I leave and when I come home. Dogs are good at working out schedules and most of the time will be alright with being left alone for short periods (4 to 6 hours on average). I used to put one of my shirts into Chloe's kennel when we left her when she was a puppy because she would whine and cry alot. You might consider leaving something with you dog that smells like you to comfort her if you want to? Make sure it is something you don't mind her sleeping on or even chewing on or peeing on though (that shirt of mine is now her blanket hehe).
I wish you luck, hopefully she reacts well and everything turns out alright for you!

I'll put her in the kitchen for a while when I'm home and see how she handles it. She can't see into the living room so it'll be interesting to see what she does. My main concern is leaving her at home. Leaving her at work doesn't bother me as she's there all day anyway. Thanks for the advice! :-)

[Chloef_2799]

Well anywhere that she would be most comfortable would be fine. If she is more comfortable to be left at your shop that would be ok just make sure it is safe for her. I am assuming your home and shop are located close to eachother?

[Poodlemaniac]

Originally Posted by Chloef_2799

Well anywhere that she would be most comfortable would be fine. If she is more comfortable to be left at your shop that would be ok just make sure it is safe for her. I am assuming your home and shop are located close to eachother?

Yeah...I live about 4 miles from my shop. So if I can find a partime job, I can swing back by the shop and pick her up. It's just that on a couple nights during the week I have classes going on at the shop so I can't leave her then. i just hope she doesn't have seperation anxiety being that I've only heard her bark a few times, I am concerned that if I leave her at home that she might bark. I live in a condo so I don't want to end up disturbing my neighbors with a barking poodle! :-)

[vanbum]

Sounds like a "test run" would be a good idea - set up a video camera and point it at the kitchen area and then leave for 20 minutes. Or maybe an hour, then view the tape and watch how the dog reacted.

I personally dont like crates and would only use one as a last resort.

[Chloef_2799]

Vanbum that is a good idea using a video camera. Ask your neighbours to tell you if they hear her barking alot also. Hopefully they can tolerate her barking for a short time once or twice until you can find out how she reacts to being left alone.

[CrzyBritNAmerica]

Originally Posted by Chloef_2799

Vanbum that is a good idea using a video camera. Ask your neighbours to tell you if they hear her barking alot also. Hopefully they can tolerate her barking for a short time once or twice until you can find out how she reacts to being left alone.

Ooh what a good idea! I am going to start leaving Bridgette out for periods at a time...I think I might tape her. Hey maybe she'll do something really funny and I can go on America's Funniest!

[Chloef_2799]

I should do that to see what Chloe does when we leave. I remember once we forgot to the bathroom door and mine and my parents bedroom doors. We came home to find toilet paper going from the bathroom to my room and into my parents room and the bathroom garbage was strewn all over the living room and bathroom floor and she had even gotten into the bathrom cupboards and dragged my makeup bag into the living room. Luckily she didn't get it open....thank god for zippers!!

[CrzyBritNAmerica]

Originally Posted by Chloef_2799

I should do that to see what Chloe does when we leave. I remember once we forgot to the bathroom door and mine and my parents bedroom doors. We came home to find toilet paper going from the bathroom to my room and into my parents room and the bathroom garbage was strewn all over the living room and bathroom floor and she had even gotten into the bathrom cupboards and dragged my makeup bag into the living room. Luckily she didn't get it open....thank god for zippers!!

That's how it was where I last lived. Before we got Bridgette my roommate would leave Billy out and ALWAYS forgot to close her door. He'd get into EVERYTHING and get trash everywhere! He once at her chapstick, thank god he was okay!!

The worst thing (for me anyway) was when I was at work and my roommates weren't watching where the dogs were and they got this little pillow I had on my bed that was filled with those tiny little white pellets. They ripped the crap out it and got themselves and my ENTIRE room COVERED in white pellets! It looked like it had snowed in my room! While I am sure they had fun, that was the hardest thing to clean up and even though i have moved I still find those pellets on my stuff sometimes!

[Chloef_2799]

hehe...snow dogs!!