Ask a Pets Blogger: Crate Timeby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 28 Nov 2008 07:10 PM We recently adopted a ten month old terrier mix from the shelter. My wife and I both work, and the pup spends eight to ten hours in his crate. He's very good about going into his crate when it's time to go to work, but more often than not we come home to a crate full of accidents! The shelter said he was housebroken... but maybe he isn't. Is ten hours too long to leave him alone? Congratulations on the new addition to your family, and thanks for getting him from a shelter. There are lots of awesome dogs (and other pets) out there who need loving homes! I do think ten hours alone is probably too long for the little guy. At ten months old, he's still pretty much a puppy. That means lots of energy! The American Dog Trainers Association suggests these limits for crate time, based on age:
If possible, you may want to stop home in the middle of the day and give your pup a break from the crate. A mid-day walk may be enough to help prevent accidents in the crate. Properly crate trained dogs don't WANT to soil their crates, trust me. But if they can't hold it and they can't get out, they gotta go somewhere. Maybe a friend or neighbor could come and take your boy for a walk if you can't get home during the work day? Could your dog go to a doggy daycare instead? If letting your dog out of his crate during the day isn't a possibility, maybe you need to figure out other accommodations for him while you're at work. Rather than leaving him in his crate, you could corral him in the kitchen or another room with a tiled floor. Put out some newspaper or puppy pads in case of emergencies. With a little more space to move around and some entertaining toys, you won't have to worry so much about coming home to a bored dog! Your pup is still probably adjusting to his new home, too. It took my shelter dog Lally months to stop piddling with excitement every time I came home from work. Don't expect the transition from shelter dog to family member to happen overnight. As he becomes more comfortable and more confident, you may be able to leave him home alone for longer periods without accidents. Try to be patient with him in the meantime. If you have a question for a Pets Blogger, feel free to send Courtney or Aimee a PM and we'll do our best to get you some information! Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevantpets tags User Comments  thankful (291) 29 Nov 2008 09:28 AMten hours is a long time. I have four dogs. non of them are crated, but I am home most of the time. If we leave for more than a few hours I put them in the garage which is heated, then we dont have to worry. If you could put him in a larger area I think that would be more comfortable. How about someone letting him out once or twice during the day.If he gets used to going to the bath room in the crate.....not good. Good luck and soon he will be old enough time hold it longer. but ten hours is alot of time in a crate for a young or old dog. Have a good day and congrats on your new doggie!!! Discuss this article
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