Home Alone Disaster!

[Holly]

I don't know what to do? I just started a new job and have to work at least 8 hours a day. I take him to doggy daycare two days a week but the days he is home he chews on paper. Never chews on anything else, thank God, but he has pulled books off of my bookcase and chewed important law school books that are really expensive. I just moved to a new place and realize that he may be stressed out a bit but it has been 4 weeks now. He never did this at my old apartment. He only has run of the main living area. He has no access to the bedrooms or bathroom (to avoid any garbage mishaps). I leave toys out for him, ranging from chew toys to stuffed animals and a pee pad which he uses pretty regularly. I am lost for words and really frustrated. I can't afford dog daycare everyday. Any suggestions....this is getting really annoying and I hate coming home to a mess everyday. PLEASE HELP!

[newmommy]

can you gate him off like in the kitchen or a bathroom??

[Holly]

He is gated off...he only has access to the kitchen and the living room...it is an open concept and diffcult to block off. I crate trainted him and playpen trained him and he has had the run of the main room at my old place for the last 3 months. This is very strange.

[Rae Rae]

I would just keep him in a crate all day. If your worried about him not having any room, just invest in a crate for larger dogs, that way he can have room for his pee pad, room to sleep and play, etc.

[YorkieRose]

Get a nice pen..2x3 enough room for his bed and play area..

[LuvMySadie]

I've read that the safest place for your yorkie when you are unable to watch him/her is in the crate. I live by that. I always put Sadie in her crate when I leave her at home alone..... even if I'm going to be in the shower and think she is too "awake & alert" & ready for "trouble" I'll put her in her crate. It only had a bed in it. So, she doesn't go potty in there. I've put biscuits in there sometimes in case she got hungry, but she never ate them. I think she just sleeps the whole time. She also goes in the crate at night when we're sleeping. It's in our bedroom with us. Sadie is just 4 months, and I assume that maybe eventually she will be able to graduate from the crate to being gated off in the kitchen. She uses pee pads in a litter box when she is not crated, and hopefully later on if we gate her in the kitchen when we're gone. For you, I would put a playpen in the middle of the main room and keep her in there with bed, food/water, and potty...and maybe one chew toy. It isn't safe to let your dog play with toys or chewies unattended. My little one tears some apart in no time. You wouldn't want her to start eating any small & dangerous parts.

Hope this helps..... sorry it's a bit lengthy!
Good luck!

[yorkieusa]

Ah! You guys don't think at least and maybe more than 8 hours a day in a crate is too long to be in a crate? I've always heard no more than a few hours in a crate. Why not use an x-pen with his bed, toys, food, pads? That seems more humane than a crate for that many hours a day.

I also wanted to ask if you are walking him of a morning to help ward off some of the energy he needs to burn and boredom. They get so bored by themselves for that long.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Ah! You guys don't think at least and maybe more than 8 hours a day in a crate is too long to be in a crate? I've always heard no more than a few hours in a crate. Why not use an x-pen with his bed, toys, food, pads? That seems more humane than a crate for that many hours a day.

I also wanted to ask if you are walking him of a morning to help ward off some of the energy he needs to burn and boredom. They get so bored by themselves for that long.

As the dog gets older, and used to it, 8hours is fine. If you think that is still too long to be couped up in a small space, you can get a larger crate so he'll have room.

[LuvMySadie]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Ah! You guys don't think at least and maybe more than 8 hours a day in a crate is too long to be in a crate? I've always heard no more than a few hours in a crate. Why not use an x-pen with his bed, toys, food, pads? That seems more humane than a crate for that many hours a day.

I also wanted to ask if you are walking him of a morning to help ward off some of the energy he needs to burn and boredom. They get so bored by themselves for that long.

I leave Sadie in her crate for no more than 6 hours during the day. If I'm stuck somewhere for some kind of emergency, I call my next door neighbor. She has a key to my house and will come in to let Sadie use the potty and eat and drink.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Rae Rae

As the dog gets older, and used to it, 8hours is fine. If you think that is still too long to be couped up in a small space, you can get a larger crate so he'll have room.

I would not advise it, nor approve of it. It is cruel. Read on:

CRATE TRAINING


Cages are cruel
Not true. A crate is an indoor dog house, just big enough for the dog to stand up and lie down, and turn around in. It's your dog's den, home and place where your dog can feel safe. When you go shopping, or when your pup is very young, it's a good place to keep him out of trouble, however, don't expect a very young puppy to stay in there for really long periods of time. Keep the time crated to short intervals and extend them a little at a time as the pup gets older. They cannot be expected to hold their water for 8-16 hours at a time when just a young baby. Take this into consideration when your pup is very young and if you must be gone for an extended period of time, then leave the door open and keep a place outside the crate where the puppy is allowed to make on papers or on a piddle pad in an exercise pen or puppy play pen. The crate is the dog's "space" in the house. This should be a place where your puppy feels safe. It's his house. He should be made to feel secure in his house and he can sleep while his owners do what they must do, run errands, etc. When you return in a few hours, your dog will not have destroyed the house and it will be a happy reunion. Honest, he'll love his crate and will probably just go to sleep, and you will not come home to "destruction," chewed cords and windowsills, etc.


How long can puppy stay in there?
For a few hours while you go shopping or overnight in the crate next to your bed so you can sleep without worrying about what the pup is up to. If you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, you should get a pet gate and confine the dog to a gated area, where he cannot pull lamps off tables or get at any electrical cords, like in a utility room, or a kitchen. Sometimes there is a covered secure spot in your yard if the weather is good like a deck or fenced in area where the dog can play without escaping, and where no one can get in and steal him! Having a place to keep your dog away from small children is a blessing your dog will appreciate.
Your dog needs to interact with you. Never tie them up or leave them out on the deck or yard for too long without being there to talk to them and interact with them. Dogs are a social animal and need this contact. They need to feel that they are a part of the family, and that means being in the house, even when the family may not be in the house. If you deprive your dog of that feeling of belonging and being part of the family, it can do great psychological damage to him and he can become neurotic or psychotic. Problems with digging, fence jumping and barking are just a few of the ways neurosis can manifest itself.
It's deplorable to buy a dog and chain them outside all the time because you're too tired, busy, or lazy to train them. You must invest some time and lots of praise to have a canine companion that will be devoted to you for a lifetime. It's worth the time you will invest. When the dogs are young, they all go through destructive behavior and most of them outgrow it and eventually you will feel safe leaving him alone in the house. Please remember that if you allow the dog to "go" all over the house when he first comes to your home, he will go back to where he smells it. Normally, a dog will not urinate or defecate where he sleeps, because then he would have to lie next to it. Crates aren't cheap, but sometimes you can pick up one second-hand without having to put out a lot of money, in the classified or at yard sales. Buying a Crate: Most pet shops, dog shows, or kennel supply houses carry crates. The price depends on where you purchase the crate and the size of the dog. You will probably spend anywhere from $40 to $60 for a crate, but it will last for a lifetime. The Fibreglass or Plastic ones are easier to keep clean as they won't rust like wire crates, and they aren't as noisy as the wire collapsible crates are, and considering that this is the safest way for your dog to travel, you've bought him his "dog house" and "car seat" in one package.
Your dog's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up, lie down and turn around in..no bigger. The reason for this is so that he can't piddle in one corner and sleep in the opposite corner. This teaches the dog control.


How do I know what size crate to get?
Just stand the dog next to the crate if he is full grown and make sure the crate extends about 4 inches above the shoulders and four inches each side and from front and back of the dog. Big enough for him to turn around in and lay down in. If he's a puppy, you'll have to estimate his full grown size and then place a cardboard box in there to make it just comfortable for him and keep changing the size of the box as he grows. Some brand names of plastic dog crates are: Vari-Kennel, Kennel Cab and Sky Kennel.


Where is the best place to put the crate?
The busiest room in the house, wherever the family congregates.


He keeps crying when in the crate, now what?
Most dogs hate being confined in the beginning, but with a little time to realize they will not be in there forever, your dog will love the peace and safety of his crate. If he cries, just tap the crate and say "No, Quiet now!" in a firm voice. Keep repeating this and don't give in!! Puppies cannot be expected to go for long periods of time without relieving themselves, so you have to make the time confined for short periods and praise the puppy for going in the crate and give him a treat when he goes in willingly. If he doesn't, then just give him a push into the crate and then a treat and a "good boy" verbal command and shut the door. After he is quiet in the crate for a few minutes, come back and open the door and allow him to go use the bathroom spot outside of his crate or wherever you expect him to relieve himself. Make sure the exercise area is sturdy enough that he cannot knock it down.
As the puppy gets older, he will be able to "hold it" longer and by 6 months should be able to spend an entire night without having to relieve himself.
Be sure to let the puppy relieve himself before you shut him in the crate for the night. DO NOT let the puppy out when he is crying!! If you do, you have just taught the puppy he can get his way by being vocal. Always wait until the puppy is quiet before you let him out of his crate. There is an exception to that rule, and that is when you get home after the puppy has been in the crate for a while. The excitement of your return will make your puppy need to "go" so you should take him immediately to the designated "spot" and praise him exuberantly when he does his thing. Do this same thing in the morning, after he has been crated at night. Crate training the Adult dog is a little harder but patience, persistence, and a set of ear plugs should get you through this. Put his bed and toys into the crate and throw in a treat that he loves, and tell him "bedtime" or "crate time." Tell him how wonderful he is for going "in the crate." Play with him for a minute and then close the door when he is comfortable in the crate. Do this a few times and use the same command each time. Put him in there if he refuses and praise him for going to the crate...Good Boy! Keep repeating this command and getting him in the crate until he realizes he will get a reward for going in the crate and eventually you will let him out. You must be consistent. Once the dog will go in there on command, and you can leave him there for a few minutes without crying, you can increase the amount of time that he is in the crate, a little bit more each time. Always be sure he has been to the "potty" before crating. With small dogs, it's sometimes easier in the beginning to put them in the crate at eye level at night, like on your bed stand night table.


Taking Trips
Now that your dog is crate trained, it will be easier to take him along on trips, and he will handle the stress of being shipped if necessary and will be carried safely in a vehicle. You can leave your dog in the hotel room without worry that the maid might come in and accidentally allow your dog to "take off," and being used to being in the crate, the dog will sleep while you are gone.
http://www.shooterdog.com/alexfaq2.htm#PEE

[yorkieowner24]

ya get a kennel its called those large metal box cages

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I would not advise it, nor approve of it. It is cruel. Read on:

CRATE TRAINING


Cages are cruel
Not true. A crate is an indoor dog house, just big enough for the dog to stand up and lie down, and turn around in. It's your dog's den, home and place where your dog can feel safe. When you go shopping, or when your pup is very young, it's a good place to keep him out of trouble, however, don't expect a very young puppy to stay in there for really long periods of time. Keep the time crated to short intervals and extend them a little at a time as the pup gets older. They cannot be expected to hold their water for 8-16 hours at a time when just a young baby. Take this into consideration when your pup is very young and if you must be gone for an extended period of time, then leave the door open and keep a place outside the crate where the puppy is allowed to make on papers or on a piddle pad in an exercise pen or puppy play pen. The crate is the dog's "space" in the house. This should be a place where your puppy feels safe. It's his house. He should be made to feel secure in his house and he can sleep while his owners do what they must do, run errands, etc. When you return in a few hours, your dog will not have destroyed the house and it will be a happy reunion. Honest, he'll love his crate and will probably just go to sleep, and you will not come home to "destruction," chewed cords and windowsills, etc.


How long can puppy stay in there?
For a few hours while you go shopping or overnight in the crate next to your bed so you can sleep without worrying about what the pup is up to. If you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, you should get a pet gate and confine the dog to a gated area, where he cannot pull lamps off tables or get at any electrical cords, like in a utility room, or a kitchen. Sometimes there is a covered secure spot in your yard if the weather is good like a deck or fenced in area where the dog can play without escaping, and where no one can get in and steal him! Having a place to keep your dog away from small children is a blessing your dog will appreciate.
Your dog needs to interact with you. Never tie them up or leave them out on the deck or yard for too long without being there to talk to them and interact with them. Dogs are a social animal and need this contact. They need to feel that they are a part of the family, and that means being in the house, even when the family may not be in the house. If you deprive your dog of that feeling of belonging and being part of the family, it can do great psychological damage to him and he can become neurotic or psychotic. Problems with digging, fence jumping and barking are just a few of the ways neurosis can manifest itself.
It's deplorable to buy a dog and chain them outside all the time because you're too tired, busy, or lazy to train them. You must invest some time and lots of praise to have a canine companion that will be devoted to you for a lifetime. It's worth the time you will invest. When the dogs are young, they all go through destructive behavior and most of them outgrow it and eventually you will feel safe leaving him alone in the house. Please remember that if you allow the dog to "go" all over the house when he first comes to your home, he will go back to where he smells it. Normally, a dog will not urinate or defecate where he sleeps, because then he would have to lie next to it. Crates aren't cheap, but sometimes you can pick up one second-hand without having to put out a lot of money, in the classified or at yard sales. Buying a Crate: Most pet shops, dog shows, or kennel supply houses carry crates. The price depends on where you purchase the crate and the size of the dog. You will probably spend anywhere from $40 to $60 for a crate, but it will last for a lifetime. The Fibreglass or Plastic ones are easier to keep clean as they won't rust like wire crates, and they aren't as noisy as the wire collapsible crates are, and considering that this is the safest way for your dog to travel, you've bought him his "dog house" and "car seat" in one package.
Your dog's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up, lie down and turn around in..no bigger. The reason for this is so that he can't piddle in one corner and sleep in the opposite corner. This teaches the dog control.


How do I know what size crate to get?
Just stand the dog next to the crate if he is full grown and make sure the crate extends about 4 inches above the shoulders and four inches each side and from front and back of the dog. Big enough for him to turn around in and lay down in. If he's a puppy, you'll have to estimate his full grown size and then place a cardboard box in there to make it just comfortable for him and keep changing the size of the box as he grows. Some brand names of plastic dog crates are: Vari-Kennel, Kennel Cab and Sky Kennel.


Where is the best place to put the crate?
The busiest room in the house, wherever the family congregates.


He keeps crying when in the crate, now what?
Most dogs hate being confined in the beginning, but with a little time to realize they will not be in there forever, your dog will love the peace and safety of his crate. If he cries, just tap the crate and say "No, Quiet now!" in a firm voice. Keep repeating this and don't give in!! Puppies cannot be expected to go for long periods of time without relieving themselves, so you have to make the time confined for short periods and praise the puppy for going in the crate and give him a treat when he goes in willingly. If he doesn't, then just give him a push into the crate and then a treat and a "good boy" verbal command and shut the door. After he is quiet in the crate for a few minutes, come back and open the door and allow him to go use the bathroom spot outside of his crate or wherever you expect him to relieve himself. Make sure the exercise area is sturdy enough that he cannot knock it down.
As the puppy gets older, he will be able to "hold it" longer and by 6 months should be able to spend an entire night without having to relieve himself.
Be sure to let the puppy relieve himself before you shut him in the crate for the night. DO NOT let the puppy out when he is crying!! If you do, you have just taught the puppy he can get his way by being vocal. Always wait until the puppy is quiet before you let him out of his crate. There is an exception to that rule, and that is when you get home after the puppy has been in the crate for a while. The excitement of your return will make your puppy need to "go" so you should take him immediately to the designated "spot" and praise him exuberantly when he does his thing. Do this same thing in the morning, after he has been crated at night. Crate training the Adult dog is a little harder but patience, persistence, and a set of ear plugs should get you through this. Put his bed and toys into the crate and throw in a treat that he loves, and tell him "bedtime" or "crate time." Tell him how wonderful he is for going "in the crate." Play with him for a minute and then close the door when he is comfortable in the crate. Do this a few times and use the same command each time. Put him in there if he refuses and praise him for going to the crate...Good Boy! Keep repeating this command and getting him in the crate until he realizes he will get a reward for going in the crate and eventually you will let him out. You must be consistent. Once the dog will go in there on command, and you can leave him there for a few minutes without crying, you can increase the amount of time that he is in the crate, a little bit more each time. Always be sure he has been to the "potty" before crating. With small dogs, it's sometimes easier in the beginning to put them in the crate at eye level at night, like on your bed stand night table.


Taking Trips
Now that your dog is crate trained, it will be easier to take him along on trips, and he will handle the stress of being shipped if necessary and will be carried safely in a vehicle. You can leave your dog in the hotel room without worry that the maid might come in and accidentally allow your dog to "take off," and being used to being in the crate, the dog will sleep while you are gone.
http://www.shooterdog.com/alexfaq2.htm#PEE

Thanks for the info, BUT, I stated older dogs. I read what you bolded, and that is reffering to puppies. Rather you advise it or not, you have to keep in mind that a lot of people work 8+hrs a day and cannot leave their dogs to have run of the house while they are gone. I know tons of dogs that are left in crates while the owners are at work, and do not have problems. Also, what you posted mentions the puppy holding his/her bladder through-out the night. A normal sleep night is 8hrs. From what you posted, I really don't understand what part of my statement is cruel

[FirstYorkie]

Holly,

An x-pen is an option or, if not for you, then I'd certainly move all the books out of puppy's reach! I also think the suggestion to walk him before you leave is a good one.

In addition, I'd leave stuffed Kongs for him. They can entertain themselves for long periods of time with those. I freeze Joey's so that it takes him even longer to work the food out.

I'd also do work with him about making him more comfortable with your leaving as described in this article (just ignore the parts that don't apply):
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002/sa.htm

Good luck!

[Holly]

Thank you all so much for your help. The pen worked great in my old apartment but I just don't have room in this new place. It is only a temporary move and it is very small. That's why I got rid of the big pen. Today, used one of the gates from the pen and blocked off the family room. Benji had run of the kitchen and the hallway. As always, had some ties, food, water, and toys at his disposal. NO ACCIDENTS OR RIPPED UP BOOKS TODAY! I came home and he was sleeping in his crate with the door open. No mess inside his crate either. I am so happy. So...maybe he just has to get used to the freedom....keep him constrained to the kitchen till I open the family room again. I might have given him too much freedom right away in the new place.

As for all of the comments regarding crate training. Crate training is amazing. When he was a little puppy I crate trained him right away and at times left him there 8 hours....when I couldn't make it home. Most of the time he was not in there more than 6 hours. He loves his crate, it is his little condo and goes in it voluntarily. Highly recommended.

Again, thank you for all of your suggestions. I guess I just expected him to be all grown up by now but will have to wait another few months.

[simonandhallie]

I'm so glad that worked out. When I gave Simon freedom of the whole apartment, he acted very strange too. I don't think he quite knew what to do with himself. I now keep them both in the bedroom while I work and that seems more comfortable for him. Good luck, I hope he stays successfull!!!