crate being abused???

girl1 · 09-25-2006, 02:34 AM

my boyfriend recently got a pit bull puppy, i'm not a dog person, but im still worried about how he is going about crate training him. the dog is 9 weeks old and gets very minimal attention. The dog is crated most of the day and all night, with access to food and water only when he is let out. my boyfriend leaves to work at 11am and returns 7-8 pm. i work the same hours. the dog is only let out of the crate for 2 hours in the morning, 2 in the evening, and a short break during afternoon lunch breaks. he is in there almost all day, and all night, and is not supplemented with more then a 2, maybe 3 hours of attention a day. playtime in between cratings is usually in short incriments. i understand that crating is a usefull tool, but this seems rather excessive to me. i have read many websites and the information can be conflicting, some say give him water, some say don't. some say crate overnight, some say don't. I believe our vet has the puppy's best interest at heart in telling him this is ok. but i think he has taken that advice as an excuse to lock up the dog and not have to worry about it. Is this abuse, or is this just potty training? i can't stand seeing this bright, active puppy locked up for such long periods. when i mention it he gets mad and tells me not to tell him how to train his dog. but i am really very worried about it. i seriously need some opinions on this issue.

Jessica&Crew · 09-25-2006, 08:57 AM

my boyfriend recently got a pit bull puppy, i'm not a dog person, but im still worried about how he is going about crate training him.

Do you and your boyfriend live together? Are you going to be okay with having a dog in the household, or will it create long term resentments?

the dog is 9 weeks old and gets very minimal attention. The dog is crated most of the day and all night, with access to food and water only when he is let out.

Puppies go through many traumatic stages early in life, from birth to weaning to rehoming, going through vaccinations, food changes, deworming processes and seperation from the rest of the litter and everything familiar. Food changes can be rough on their systems, a new environment can be over stimulating, and oftentimes over and under handeling also adds stress.

I can't begin to tell you guys how to adjust your lifestyle, but this link may help: No Time For Your Pet?

i understand that crating is a usefull tool, but this seems rather excessive to me.

It absolutely is. On both counts.

i have read many websites and the information can be conflicting, some say give him water, some say don't. some say crate overnight, some say don't.

Please read through these links:

Can We Help index

Is this abuse, or is this just potty training? i can't stand seeing this bright, active puppy locked up for such long periods.

when i mention it he gets mad and tells me not to tell him how to train his dog. but i am really very worried about it. i seriously need some opinions on this issue.

It sounds like neglect, not abuse. It defies what I see as potty training. I am gald you are giving the pup and situation thought.

I really cannot express my opinions, but you'll have to determine what lifestyle changes YOU want to make in order to help the pup out. Read throught that site and the pertaining links. You may be suprised at what YOU can do, and how your boyfriend may start to follow your lead.

For the pup, it is worth a try.

toniaxp · 09-27-2006, 02:27 AM

I think haveing a dog confined to a certian area is ok when you might be gone at work or something especially it the dog is not trained but once he gets home he needs to let the dog out. If he does not want to spend time with his dog then he should not have got him in the first place.

alundy · 09-27-2006, 07:59 AM

I think that is excessive crating. I also work 8 hour a day, but our dog is out for an hour in the morning, an hour at lunch, and 7 hours at night.

Since your boyfriend doesn't seem to have enough time in his day to let the dog be out of the crate, he should send it to doggy daycare every day. That way he can play with other dogs and not be cooped up in a cage. However this will cost money...

all4thedogs · 09-27-2006, 12:32 PM

I agree, this pup needs ALOT more time out of the crate. Maybe doggy day care, or a dog walker would help. This dog needs stimulation, or its going to go crazy.

Is the puppy excepted to hold its urine that amount of time? This is way to long for a dog to be without water. You could end up with a very sick puppy, including dehydration, UTI, and possibly death. I know its harsh, but this puppy should be eating 3 times a day.

Please talk to your BF and have him reconsider dog ownership. This puppy will be much easier to place while its young, then it will be living in this situation, and place when its older. There are several Pit Bull rescues that could assist you.

I highly recommend a dog walker at minimum, or doggy day care would be wonderful.

nicky12 · 09-28-2006, 10:55 AM

im sorry if this offends ...but i personaly find this appalling.that poor puppy why did your boyfriend even consider getting this puppy if he new he only had this amount of time to offer .i only hope you can convince him to rehome it with somone who has more time for it .

blackgavotte · 09-28-2006, 12:15 PM

I also have to remind you that a 9 week old puppy should not be forced to hold its bladder and bowels that long, and he will become a frustrated, anxious and needy dog if you don't handle him properly as a baby. He needs much better and more sympathetic treatment than he is getting. Another option is, buy an exercise pen for him and cover the floor with papers, it does mean some cleanup when you get home, but what did you expect with getting a puppy? That way you can leave him with a little food, water and toys at least. Its still not perfect, but better than keeping him in what literally is a box, for this long...