Where to keep puppy when away for the day
Discussion
Hi
Due to get a collie puppy in a couple of weeks. Most the time I'll be with him so won't be a problem, the odd day I'm going to be out for the majority of the day though.
I can either keep him inside at home, keep him outside in a kennel or keep him in the back of my pickup (has a canopy and then he wouldn't be left for more than 3 hours as could nip away and walk him quickly)
Which would you pick?
Ta
Due to get a collie puppy in a couple of weeks. Most the time I'll be with him so won't be a problem, the odd day I'm going to be out for the majority of the day though.
I can either keep him inside at home, keep him outside in a kennel or keep him in the back of my pickup (has a canopy and then he wouldn't be left for more than 3 hours as could nip away and walk him quickly)
Which would you pick?
Ta
Definitely not your vehicle too many risk factors
Wouldn't recommend outside if only on occasion bit of a shock to the system for your pup.
Home indoors would be better, crate or not depends on your views in them. My last whippet had free run if house no issue,my current whippet I crate, he sleeps in it by choice aswell.
There is always doggy day care, can be very useful in these situations.
How many hours when it does happen, will it be left?
Wouldn't recommend outside if only on occasion bit of a shock to the system for your pup.
Home indoors would be better, crate or not depends on your views in them. My last whippet had free run if house no issue,my current whippet I crate, he sleeps in it by choice aswell.
There is always doggy day care, can be very useful in these situations.
How many hours when it does happen, will it be left?
Hiya,
I'm no expert although owner of a now six month year old cockapoo
Baby gates are your friend.
I work from home usually although on the odd day here and there "Elvis" does get left alone, prob max 3 hrs though.
He has a crate in the kitchen with all his toys and a big bed in. Crate is covered with a throw and is his space. Never locked or used as a punitive behavioural tool. It's just somewhere for him to call his own.
We started with the kitchen door closed, some music on a low volume and his crate stocked with toys and whatnot. Whenever we came back he was superchilled and looked like he had enjoyed some quiet.
Then we put a baby gate at the end of the hall so that he could have the kitchen door open but not go upstairs (other downstairs doors closed also,just extended his space a bit)
Now we are progressing to downstairs rooms access. Bit cautious about that as the potential for damage to furniture/carpets etc is huge
Not sure how helpful the above is,just sharing our experiences. We found going out a bit useful in terms of managing potential separation anxiety though.
Cheers,
I'm no expert although owner of a now six month year old cockapoo
Baby gates are your friend.
I work from home usually although on the odd day here and there "Elvis" does get left alone, prob max 3 hrs though.
He has a crate in the kitchen with all his toys and a big bed in. Crate is covered with a throw and is his space. Never locked or used as a punitive behavioural tool. It's just somewhere for him to call his own.
We started with the kitchen door closed, some music on a low volume and his crate stocked with toys and whatnot. Whenever we came back he was superchilled and looked like he had enjoyed some quiet.
Then we put a baby gate at the end of the hall so that he could have the kitchen door open but not go upstairs (other downstairs doors closed also,just extended his space a bit)
Now we are progressing to downstairs rooms access. Bit cautious about that as the potential for damage to furniture/carpets etc is huge
Not sure how helpful the above is,just sharing our experiences. We found going out a bit useful in terms of managing potential separation anxiety though.
Cheers,
Jasandjules said:
Get a pet sitter to stay with him
Quite a pricey option? Also its good to be able to get the dog accustomed to being on his own for several hours. You don't want to end up with a dog that either pisses everywhere or destroys your furniture and belongings if you go out to shops for half an hour. Separation anxiety can be very difficult to solve.
If you can give them the run of a few rooms, that that is good. If they are crate trained and will voluntarily go in there then that's fine. My personal view is that its nicer for them to have the run of a few rooms in the house. Maybe downstairs?
Ours has all of downstairs and we have baby gates for the stairs. We have a 1 year old baby toddler, so the baby gates are duel purpose
We place our dogs either in crates, or in a spare bathroom as the water resistant floor is easy to clean should there be any accidents.
They are happy in there, with beds etc. and as we never have guests, it's just their room. I do however turn the water off at the toilet on the wall, just in case one of them decides to chew on the waterline and floods the bathroom...
I am a big fan of the crating option personally as it is a controlled environment - however, one of our dogs gets really freaked out by thunderstorms and if she is alone and hears thunder - the bed is all torn up and there's stuffing everywhere.
They are happy in there, with beds etc. and as we never have guests, it's just their room. I do however turn the water off at the toilet on the wall, just in case one of them decides to chew on the waterline and floods the bathroom...
I am a big fan of the crating option personally as it is a controlled environment - however, one of our dogs gets really freaked out by thunderstorms and if she is alone and hears thunder - the bed is all torn up and there's stuffing everywhere.
Get lots of toys 
TBH, when we leave Lottie on her own, and its not normally for that long a time (a couple of hours max), I leave her out, she is as good as gold (so far
) and just plays with her squeaky balls and other toys, then goes for her snooze in her crate when she is all tired out.
TBH, when we leave Lottie on her own, and its not normally for that long a time (a couple of hours max), I leave her out, she is as good as gold (so far
) and just plays with her squeaky balls and other toys, then goes for her snooze in her crate when she is all tired out.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff