How to crate train if you're at work? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Yorkiemamma78 · 10-27-2009, 09:56 AM

I have a 7 1/2 month old male. I'm trying to crate train. The past few days have gone great! Not one accident. I've had a few days off work. I go back tomorrow and I'll be gone almost 9 hours! He's in a crate that he can stand up, turn around and lay down in. No room for much else. I'm not sure how that will work being gone 9 hours without being let out to pee. I work 3rd shift so leaving food out is no issue. He should be sleeping and will stay on schedule with feeding. Is a crate for 9 hours cruel???

chachi · 10-27-2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemamma78

I have a 7 1/2 month old male. I'm trying to crate train. The past few days have gone great! Not one accident. I've had a few days off work. I go back tomorrow and I'll be gone almost 9 hours! He's in a crate that he can stand up, turn around and lay down in. No room for much else. I'm not sure how that will work being gone 9 hours without being let out to pee. I work 3rd shift so leaving food out is no issue. He should be sleeping and will stay on schedule with feeding. Is a crate for 9 hours cruel???

Your gonna have different opinions on that. Mine is 9 hrs is too long to be in a crate. I would use an xpen

Cerise · 10-27-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiemamma78

I have a 7 1/2 month old male. I'm trying to crate train. The past few days have gone great! Not one accident. I've had a few days off work. I go back tomorrow and I'll be gone almost 9 hours! He's in a crate that he can stand up, turn around and lay down in. No room for much else. I'm not sure how that will work being gone 9 hours without being let out to pee. I work 3rd shift so leaving food out is no issue. He should be sleeping and will stay on schedule with feeding. Is a crate for 9 hours cruel???

Is there an extra bathroom or room with no carpet that you can put him, the crate, food, toys, with a potty pad in a dog litter box in? For 9 hrs long, this is where I think potty pad training in a litter box is a great idea. Especially for toy dog breeds.

2dogsandachick · 10-27-2009, 12:51 PM

This is just me, but feel that 9 hours a day in a crate is too long for any dog. Depending on which house I have been in I have utilized a baby gate to contain them in the hall, foyer, or kitchen with a pee-pad if they can't help themselves. This way they still have room to play, stretch out, and be comfortable.

Critter · 10-27-2009, 09:48 PM

I agree 9 hours is a long time. I work at home now but use to work long hours with family members having different shifts so they had varing times they had to be crated. we decided early on to do the xpen with a puppy pad and this has been the best thing for them and they have more room to move around during the day.

funnyjas03 · 10-27-2009, 09:58 PM

Do you mean that you work at night? Mine is 5 months old but since I'm a student and work mostly from home I never have to leave him too long. If it is at night you may not have to worry as much since I've noticed that my guy can go all night in the crate without notifying me he needs to go potty but during the day can be a bit different. I love using a crate and my pup loves his crate and it is so convenient and I can feel good knowing he is safe and sound in there when I do leave the house. You want to balance the fear of keeping him to long with the fear that he could get into trouble if he is left out of it.

MorkieMomii · 10-27-2009, 09:59 PM

You say 3rd shift, will this be 9 hours through the night?

xoxJuliexox · 10-28-2009, 02:15 PM

That is way to long to leave him in there, i have a 10 week old yorkie named Keno and i keep him in a play pin, its big enough to fit his bed, food, toys and a puppy pad.

jeanm1963 · 10-28-2009, 02:22 PM

I agree wayyyyyyyyyyy to long, I would either gate in the kitchen or bathroom , leave lots of toys , water food and pee pad.... I cant imagine 9 hours in a cage.. that does seem kind of cruel...

twalla · 10-28-2009, 03:08 PM

When I crated Sam when he was younger, he had a big crate. The crate was big enough for a pad, small bed, and some toys.

IMO, 9 hours is too long. Is it possible someone you know can give him a break or get a x pen?

Good luck!

MizMaRLeysMoM86 · 10-28-2009, 04:09 PM

I agree, 9 hours is way to long. When I got my first yorkie I would keep her in her crate at night of course, but if she barked I would take her out to potty. During the day I worked from 7 in the morning until 4:45pm. I would let her out in the morning for like 20 minutes to do her business and then I would come home at lunch time and let her out for 45 minutes then back in her cage she went, then when I came home I would let her out the rest of the evening until around 1030 at night. When I got my second one it took him like 2 weeks to get the hang of potty pad training so I just let them both have free roam of the apartment. I don't have the heart to keep them in one room or a cage during the day now, but hey, they are pad trained so I don't have to. But yes, I would get like an X pen or something bigger. My girls cage was big enough for a bed, blanket, toys, food and potty pad.

Karrie · 10-28-2009, 05:02 PM

We work and we crate trained. To clarify, we crate trained while we were home to supervise - sounds like you have that part down.

However, when we were at work, Bailey was in a 4x4 ex-pen with a crate, dog bed, a few durable toys and water. When she was younger, she made a total mess of the expen - pee'd everywhere and chewed up her pee pads, etc. But that was okay - there was nothing we could do about it, so I just cleaned up the area (5 minutes top) and gave her lots of baths

. Bottom line - there were no rules in the expen. Soon, at about 8 mos, instincts started to take over and she started holding her pee until we got home.

Its true, at least in our case, that dogs do not like to mess where they live.

I don't believe that working impacted our potty training/crate training. We were consistient about our routine and process. Bailey was potty trained in 2 months and reliable at 4 months.

Good luck!

Elle · 10-28-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

Your gonna have different opinions on that. Mine is 9 hrs is too long to be in a crate. I would use an xpen

I agree.

DerbyLayne · 10-28-2009, 10:54 PM

We have a crate that holds his doggy "house" (aka doggy carrier) and a pee pad right in front of it. He gets a few toys in his "house" and blankets and such.

We've been doing it this way since Derby came home to us and he's learned that way. He's now 4 months old. He never had an accident in his "house" ever, and has always used the pee pad when needed. Whether he's in there for a long time, or overnight, he knows how that he either a) wants to wait until we get home to go outside(or wake up whatever time it is) OR he uses the pee pad. His choice. If he's going to be in there during feeding then he'll get his dinner/water in there too.

You need a better set up for your pup.

Keep in mind we have a SMALL and I mean REALLY small apartment. The crate is big enough to hold a carrier, and a pee pad, but that's it. The carrier sticks out the back and we have half the crate attached to it with universal ties so that the other half of the crate sits out and is essentially where the pee pad goes. does this make sense? we had to make it work otherwise the carrier would only fit in the crate. had to make a little area for Derby and still be able to lock the crate when needed.

Yorkiemamma78 · 10-29-2009, 07:21 AM

Thanks everyone for your responses. I've been doing great with him. I was very worried about this but he sleeps all through the night so I'm not missing that much potty activity. If I were working nine hours through the day this would be too much. He holds it. When I come home he's still sleeping! On his back with tongue half out like I never left. I spoke with a dog trainer. He says that since I'm training him to pee outside that the pads will confuse him and teach him that it's ok to pee inside and every rug I have is fair game. I'm impressed that Brady is doing so well. I take him out for a very long walk at night and moniter his last feeding time. Then put him to bed in his crate and go to work. When I come home I take him out to potty again. He goes straight back to sleep. I have to set my alarm to take him out all through the day because that's my sleep time but I sure don't mind. I only work three nights a week.

10-27-2009, 09:56 AM	#1
Yorkiemamma78 BANNED! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lexington, Ky, USA Posts: 37	How to crate train if you're at work? I have a 7 1/2 month old male. I'm trying to crate train. The past few days have gone great! Not one accident. I've had a few days off work. I go back tomorrow and I'll be gone almost 9 hours! He's in a crate that he can stand up, turn around and lay down in. No room for much else. I'm not sure how that will work being gone 9 hours without being let out to pee. I work 3rd shift so leaving food out is no issue. He should be sleeping and will stay on schedule with feeding. Is a crate for 9 hours cruel???

10-27-2009, 09:48 PM	#5
Critter YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: phoenix Posts: 445	I agree 9 hours is a long time. I work at home now but use to work long hours with family members having different shifts so they had varing times they had to be crated. we decided early on to do the xpen with a puppy pad and this has been the best thing for them and they have more room to move around during the day. __________________ Cris --Mom to Samson and Harley and Josie the pitbull

10-27-2009, 09:59 PM	#7
MorkieMomii Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 225	You say 3rd shift, will this be 9 hours through the night? __________________ Mary

10-28-2009, 02:22 PM	#9
jeanm1963 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weymouth, Ma Posts: 2,584	I agree wayyyyyyyyyyy to long, I would either gate in the kitchen or bathroom , leave lots of toys , water food and pee pad.... I cant imagine 9 hours in a cage.. that does seem kind of cruel... __________________ I Support http://www.yorkiesinc.com/

10-28-2009, 03:08 PM	#10
twalla I ♥ my Furheathens Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VAN ALSTYNE Posts: 8,226	When I crated Sam when he was younger, he had a big crate. The crate was big enough for a pad, small bed, and some toys. IMO, 9 hours is too long. Is it possible someone you know can give him a break or get a x pen? Good luck! __________________ Twalla & The Furheathens

10-27-2009, 12:51 PM	#4
2dogsandachick Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 55	This is just me, but feel that 9 hours a day in a crate is too long for any dog. Depending on which house I have been in I have utilized a baby gate to contain them in the hall, foyer, or kitchen with a pee-pad if they can't help themselves. This way they still have room to play, stretch out, and be comfortable.

10-27-2009, 09:58 PM	#6
funnyjas03 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 13	Do you mean that you work at night? Mine is 5 months old but since I'm a student and work mostly from home I never have to leave him too long. If it is at night you may not have to worry as much since I've noticed that my guy can go all night in the crate without notifying me he needs to go potty but during the day can be a bit different. I love using a crate and my pup loves his crate and it is so convenient and I can feel good knowing he is safe and sound in there when I do leave the house. You want to balance the fear of keeping him to long with the fear that he could get into trouble if he is left out of it.

10-28-2009, 02:15 PM	#8
xoxJuliexox Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: bay area, ca Posts: 176	That is way to long to leave him in there, i have a 10 week old yorkie named Keno and i keep him in a play pin, its big enough to fit his bed, food, toys and a puppy pad.

10-28-2009, 04:09 PM	#11
MizMaRLeysMoM86 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Misawa AB, Japan Posts: 582	I agree, 9 hours is way to long. When I got my first yorkie I would keep her in her crate at night of course, but if she barked I would take her out to potty. During the day I worked from 7 in the morning until 4:45pm. I would let her out in the morning for like 20 minutes to do her business and then I would come home at lunch time and let her out for 45 minutes then back in her cage she went, then when I came home I would let her out the rest of the evening until around 1030 at night. When I got my second one it took him like 2 weeks to get the hang of potty pad training so I just let them both have free roam of the apartment. I don't have the heart to keep them in one room or a cage during the day now, but hey, they are pad trained so I don't have to. But yes, I would get like an X pen or something bigger. My girls cage was big enough for a bed, blanket, toys, food and potty pad. __________________ *"No man can be condemed for owning a dog.* As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has."

10-28-2009, 05:02 PM	#12
Karrie Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 903	We work and we crate trained. To clarify, we crate trained while we were home to supervise - sounds like you have that part down. However, when we were at work, Bailey was in a 4x4 ex-pen with a crate, dog bed, a few durable toys and water. When she was younger, she made a total mess of the expen - pee'd everywhere and chewed up her pee pads, etc. But that was okay - there was nothing we could do about it, so I just cleaned up the area (5 minutes top) and gave her lots of baths . Bottom line - there were no rules in the expen. Soon, at about 8 mos, instincts started to take over and she started holding her pee until we got home. Its true, at least in our case, that dogs do not like to mess where they live. I don't believe that working impacted our potty training/crate training. We were consistient about our routine and process. Bailey was potty trained in 2 months and reliable at 4 months. Good luck! __________________ This is Bailey's world and we just live in it!

10-28-2009, 10:54 PM	#14
DerbyLayne YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 390 Blog Entries: 1	We have a crate that holds his doggy "house" (aka doggy carrier) and a pee pad right in front of it. He gets a few toys in his "house" and blankets and such. We've been doing it this way since Derby came home to us and he's learned that way. He's now 4 months old. He never had an accident in his "house" ever, and has always used the pee pad when needed. Whether he's in there for a long time, or overnight, he knows how that he either a) wants to wait until we get home to go outside(or wake up whatever time it is) OR he uses the pee pad. His choice. If he's going to be in there during feeding then he'll get his dinner/water in there too. You need a better set up for your pup. Keep in mind we have a SMALL and I mean REALLY small apartment. The crate is big enough to hold a carrier, and a pee pad, but that's it. The carrier sticks out the back and we have half the crate attached to it with universal ties so that the other half of the crate sits out and is essentially where the pee pad goes. does this make sense? we had to make it work otherwise the carrier would only fit in the crate. had to make a little area for Derby and still be able to lock the crate when needed. Last edited by DerbyLayne; 10-28-2009 at 10:57 PM.

10-29-2009, 07:21 AM	#15
Yorkiemamma78 BANNED! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lexington, Ky, USA Posts: 37	Thanks everyone for your responses. I've been doing great with him. I was very worried about this but he sleeps all through the night so I'm not missing that much potty activity. If I were working nine hours through the day this would be too much. He holds it. When I come home he's still sleeping! On his back with tongue half out like I never left. I spoke with a dog trainer. He says that since I'm training him to pee outside that the pads will confuse him and teach him that it's ok to pee inside and every rug I have is fair game. I'm impressed that Brady is doing so well. I take him out for a very long walk at night and moniter his last feeding time. Then put him to bed in his crate and go to work. When I come home I take him out to potty again. He goes straight back to sleep. I have to set my alarm to take him out all through the day because that's my sleep time but I sure don't mind. I only work three nights a week.