Water in the crate?

Fergie07 · 08-22-2007, 02:09 AM

Today is the first day that I had to leave Fergie all day in the crate. She did fine when I left, but when I got home 9 hours later, I could hear her barking before I opened the front door. It was her let me out PLEASE bark. She was pretty crazy as far as jumping all over me, running in circles, and flopping around. (I make her sit in the crate nice and calm before I let her out... she goes nuts when I open the door)

When we went outside, she immediately went #1 and #2. However, when I checked the crate to see if the blanket was wet... it was, and it smelled like urine. I have been putting a little water in her crate with her. Should I stop so her bladder doesn't get as full?

I have no choice but to leave her for 9 hours. Since that is not an option, I would love any other coping advice that you might have! Also, do they like blankets or is a cool bare floor better?

Thanks!

Dakota Spirit · 08-22-2007, 02:20 AM

Have you considered using an ex-pen or play pen rather then just a crate? 9 hours is an awfully long time for a young puppy to be cooped up without any room to blow off a bit of energy.

How old is Fergie?

Another option would be to have a close friend or family member or someone come over during the day to let Fergie out for a short time. She needs to be able to relieve herself sometime during those 9 hours you are gone. Given that dogs do not like soiling in their 'den' I would look at this more as a 'she really had to go' situation.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Renoman · 08-22-2007, 05:12 AM

Nine hours is a long time for a puppy to be crated. If you put water in the crate with her you are sabotaging your own training efforts. Have you considered a professional pet sitter/dog walker to come in midday? Everyone might be happier.

Just a thought

RonE · 08-22-2007, 05:51 AM

Nine hours might be a long time for a pup to go without peeing (okay, it IS a long time) but it's also a long time for any dog to go without water.

I don't think withholding water is the answer.

Blankets and pads are not essential in a crate. Esther had to do without when we were crating her at night because she would chew them up. But leaving the blanket out will just mean that Fergie will be lying in her own urine if she has to go.

Val · 08-22-2007, 07:28 AM

I don't know if this is possible for you or not but my friend has a fairly new puppy and when she went back to work she came home on her lunch hour to let her pup out. She works fairly close though so this might not be an option for you.

If you or someone else can't do that then I would think leaving something in the crate to soak up the pee would be better. Washing out a small blanket would be easier than washing the puppy every day. That would depend on if she chews or not though I guess.

Val

Fergie07 · 08-22-2007, 07:50 AM

She is 6 1/2 months old. I talked to my vet about it ahead of time, and he said that she should be able to hold it. I am a teacher, so with my 30 minute lunch I don't have time to come home to let her out. Sometimes my day will be 8 1/2 hours, but that doesn't help much. I am looking for someone to let her out mid day, but at this point I don't have anyone. I could use a puppy pad in the kitchen with a baby gate. But... everyone has suggested the crate when I have asked (including our vet), so I didn't go that route. Should I try that?

I don't want her to think it is ok to pee in the house if I get her used to peeing on pads while I am gone. I do want her to be as comfortable as possible though.

redox · 08-22-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie07

She is 6 1/2 months old. I talked to my vet about it ahead of time, and he said that she should be able to hold it. I am a teacher, so with my 30 minute lunch I don't have time to come home to let her out. Sometimes my day will be 8 1/2 hours, but that doesn't help much. I am looking for someone to let her out mid day, but at this point I don't have anyone. I could use a puppy pad in the kitchen with a baby gate. But... everyone has suggested the crate when I have asked (including our vet), so I didn't go that route. Should I try that?

I don't want her to think it is ok to pee in the house if I get her used to peeing on pads while I am gone. I do want her to be as comfortable as possible though.

9 hours is a long time for any dog to be in a crate. Regardless of what your vet said, she clearly cannot hold it for 9 hours. If you can't find anyway to let her out mid-day, then I think the baby gate with the pad would be the best option. It may set back your house training, but so will teaching your puppy that it is ok to soil her den (crate).

007Dogs · 08-22-2007, 10:35 AM

Since from your avitar you dog looks to be small. So have you considered using the Purina litterbox system for dogs. I would never withhold water from a dog. You could cause another set of problems. If the dog is not destructive, I would shut her into the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room with the piddle pad. Nine hours is too long for a dog so young to not go potty. Just be prepared for her to play with the piddle pads or eat the litter. I have come home to find piddle pad wadded up in the corner of the kitchen and messes on the floor.
Is there anyway you can add a doggy door to a yard? Or keep trying to find someone who can let her out mid day.

bluesbarby · 08-22-2007, 05:41 PM

I was told Riley could hold it during the night 1 hour for every month he was old and shorter during the day. You're setting her up to fail. She definitely needs water. My trainer specifically said no longer than 4 hours in the crate at a time. Because once they have an accident in the crate you have a whole new set of problems. So we set up a safe room, leaving her crate inside. An x pen would work also. Initially we used potty pads. Once we came home and there were no dirty potty pads we got rid of the potty pads. Riley is only left alone for a long stretch on Thursdays though, otherwise it's usually 5 hours. I also (when potty training him) kept a log of when he did his business and ate. I found that he would go #2 when he first woke up at 6am and again at 5:30pm which works well for our schedule.

Renoman · 08-22-2007, 06:23 PM

If you check the bulletin board at your vet's office, or check the yellow pages under pets, your weekly local paper, or even your local ASPCA, you might find there are licensed people close by that can help you. How about a neighbor - maybe a retired neighbor interested in a working out a deal/barter of some kind. There must be someone who could come in midday for 1/2 an hour or so.

As posted, 9 hours is too long for a puppy to be crated and also to be without water. I was merely pointing out that if put water in the crate while crate training, it defeats the purpose.

Fergie07 · 08-22-2007, 09:54 PM

I had a chance to talk with my neighbor today. She offered to come in once a day to let her out to pee. I didn't make her commit to a time, so it might be after 7 hours... but it is better than 9 hours. Thanks for the advice!