Originally, my partner was supposed to be in charge of caring for the incoming puppy while I was at work. (I only work three hour shifts) However, he'd been looking for a job of his own for a while and nothing was working out...my own job offered him a position and he leaped on it. It was a HUGE lucky break for us, but it left us with a bit of a dilemma. Our new collie will be home alone for three hours until we get back. We are only working 10 minutes away, so we can RUSH home to take him out to potty. But I don't know if a puppy can hold it that long?? His breeder did say she started him on crate training...we don't want him to have any accidents if we can help it though!
3 hours crate time for a 12 week old pup?
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Collies aren't a small dog, which helps. My puppy could hold it through the night for at least 6 hours at 12 weeks. They can hold it better if they're asleep, so I'd work on getting him to really relax and feel comfortable in the kennel so he'll be more likely to nap while you're out.
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He should be fine, but I set up a "puppy Palace" pen (I used 5 foot high by 42 inch wide chain link fence gates laid on their side) and zip tied together with two snaps and chains so you can get in and out. I zip tied a small crate in another corner for him to sleep in. Water, safe toys and a raw meaty bone to gnaw (beef neck bone was good). In one corner I put a rabbit pan with pine shaving in it. Puppy used the shavings to go to the bathroom.
I was out of the house at work for 10 hours so that was my solution. I will add that I have done with with the last 4 dogs and had only TWO accidents indoors and both were due to my inattentiveness. All dogs were/are beautifully house broken.
I was out of the house at work for 10 hours so that was my solution. I will add that I have done with with the last 4 dogs and had only TWO accidents indoors and both were due to my inattentiveness. All dogs were/are beautifully house broken.
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3GSD4IPO provided a wonderful suggestion below, which I "second," because I've used that technique too. As well as all the breeders I work with. Just make sure your dog is not a climber. Some are born to be ... while others wouldn't touch something that's not stable. The test would be introducing him to the X-Pen, in the same room with you (family) while you're watching TV. Then leave him in the room, in the X-Pen while you're in a few other rooms. And test his response. You'll know soon enough if he's anxiety prone. But given enough special treats (distractions) like a kong, with a frozen center in it, SAFE chewy things (no rawhide please) he should adapt well. Remember to put that potty area in only one section of the X-Pen (2 pens are nice put together). So that he can choose areas for sleeping, playing, eating, and elimination. Those would be natural instincts. And test out the system both while you're home or not. So you've built that routine into his life, and your life. And the routine won't be associated with being "left alone."
I also attach a crate (solid or wire, but padded with a little flannel blanket to snuggle in). And that turns out to be a pretty decent domicile within your own household. Puppies that young should NEVER be given unsupervised freedom within the entire household.
I also attach a crate (solid or wire, but padded with a little flannel blanket to snuggle in). And that turns out to be a pretty decent domicile within your own household. Puppies that young should NEVER be given unsupervised freedom within the entire household.
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