Due to a schedule change, we are not going to be home to let the puppy out for 4 hours. She will wake up at 6, eat, and in kennel by 7:15. Then I won't be home until 11:15. Is that too long? Anyone have good experience with their puppy being in a kennel for that long? It will be 2 days a week. I know she really should only be in the kennel for 3 hours max. But, hoping I can stretch it to 4 just 2 days a week.
Hello there What do you mean by a kennel? A crate inside? At 10 weeks the answer for my dog would have been no. No way he could have gone 4 hours without a pee at 10 weeks old. And if you haven't already got her used to being alone for that length of time, it isn't very fair on her, so do bear that in mind. If it is an absolute emergency, and you can't find a dog walker, a puppy creche, friends or neighbours etc then it is kinder to leave your puppy in a pen, so she can move away from her bed to pee and poo if she really needs to do so (on newspapers etc). This also preserves her instinct not to soil her 'den' which is at first her sleeping area, which you absolutely need in order to house train a dog at all - it's this instinct which makes it possible.
And...the ASPCA guidelines (which I like very much) on how long it's ok to crate dogs for is: 8-10 weeks 30-60 minutes 11-14 weeks 1-3 hours 15-16 weeks 3-4 hours 17+ weeks 4-5 hours
Yes, a crate inside. She's used to sleeping 2 hours in it right now. We are home and she takes naps. So, if I have to be gone for 3-4 hours, I will create a pen and have her crate in it so she can go in and out of her crate and have a puppy pad for her to pee/poo on, and access to water. I will see if I can find a neighbor, but not sure that is possible. I am hoping we can figure out a way to get home every 2 hours.
It is much better to leave her in a pen if you can't find an alternative (I do understand, I work, and it was a nightmare looking after a small puppy at the same time - it gets easier as they get older). And get those kongs ready! Don't give away food for free in a bowl when you could use it to give her entertainment while you are gone....
When you say you are at home right now when she sleeps 2 hours in her crate....that's not the same as you not being in the house. So if you haven't done so, start getting her used to you leaving the house. Give her a super delicious kong - really lovely, fresh sardines or whatever she is going to find amazing - make her comfy, give her the kong, leave the house and come back a few minutes later. Long before she has finished the kong. Repeat a few times. Let her know you come back before she knows it. Then come back just after she has finished the kong, and so on. Yes, it involves you standing in the street with your neighbours giving you funny looks!
Ha ha, sounds like a fun game! We have been on Holiday break and have been home with puppy. Although we have left for 2 hours at a time. She has been alone a few times already. I did give her a Kong, but not sure I was doing it right. I filled it with organic natural peanut butter and few pieces of kibble (chicken-Fresh cuts I think). I froze it. She didn't get the stuff at the bottom of the Kong. I don't see how she could! I was worried about it not being refrigerated after it thawed. Do I just let her have it for a few hours and then clean it out and give her a new one the next time? I guess it would be fine for 2-3 hours out of fridge. Thank you so much for your advice! I am ordering a pen and some more Kongs. I am just ordering the plain ones. They seem to be the sturdiest? I think the pen will be good for when she is biting us too much or trying to annoy my other two adult dogs
