Hi, Tess is almost 5 months old and doing wonderfully Up until now I've been working from home but in a month's time I'm going to be starting a new job which means she'll be at home on her own for around 4 hours, too long for her to be in her crate. Currently while I'm working at home she's in the utility room, so she's well used to being on her own for a few hours, and she pretty much sleeps all morning. However, I'm aware it may be different if I'm not actually in the house. I'm wondering whether to leave her in the utility room with her crate open or to buy a heavy duty puppy pen and set it up in the kitchen, and whether to bother putting down newspaper (or something!) in case she can't hold on for the toilet. I don't want her to be uncomfortable and she does very often go all morning without asking to go out, but she's still quite young - on the other hand I think she would probably just eat newspaper! Thanks in advance. I'm finding this really stressful (I'm also having to put my toddler in to nursery for the first time!) but it's necessary unfortunately.
If it really is only 4 hours (and not longer because you have a long travel time or something like that) I wouldn't worry about a 6 month old spending 4 hours in a crate. If she normally stays in the utility room, I'd leave her there. It is differnt you being out of the house than in and thee room, so you'll need to get her used to the house being empty.
Hi there We got a puppy pen for our dog Milo. He has had it since we got him at 10 weeks. He has his bed in there and toys and water bowl, which attaches to the side of the pen. He sleeps there at night and stays in it when he is left alone. We built the time up in the day gradually. He is now a year and we still have it. He usually has a frozen kong when we leave him for any length of time and settles quite happily. I have peace of mind as I know he is safe ie can't be chewing any wires, rummaging in bins etc and my kitchen units are safe too! It has been great when we go away as we take it with us so he has a familiar place to go where he feels safe. I think it has helped him get into a routine as he knows when he goes in it it is chill/relax/snooze time.
Thanks both. She is used to being left for 2 to 3 hours at a time, usually gets a couple of Kongs and is always sleeping when we return. I would hate to be delayed in traffic or something and for her to be in her crate even longer than 4 hours though. Will see what hubby says!
I took the kids out this morning for around 4 hours and didn't shut Tess in her crate. She was absolutely fine - besides spilling her water which is an ongoing situation ;-)
Our dog Timmy is now 8 months. She has always been in a pen attached to her crate. She goes in there at night and when ever we leave the house. She gets a stuffed kong, goats horns or a deer antlers to chew. I only work very part time but she is always happy to go in her pen. She has never jumped out. Your Tess will be fine. Give her lots to chew. Our dilemma now is when or at what age do we trust her to leave her out of the pen if we go out?
