Leaving pup alone during the day? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

JedsMom · 03-01-2011, 08:08 AM

I will get a broad varity of answers here I am sure....

Jed is 13 weeks, (14 on friday) I have left him alone for up to 4 hours at a time. Have to buy groceries, go to church and such. But...this saturday my DD wants me to go shopping with her. ALL DAY shopping. This is the pen I put him in when I leave for any amount of time. I will put in a blanket or towel for him to lay on towards the back, throw in a couple of toys and shut the door.

Leaving pup alone during the day?-jed2-003.jpg

I always make sure he has ate and gotten a drink but I don't put the food and water in there with him when he is shut in.

I would really like to spend time shopping with DD but am unsure what to do with Jed....any suggestions? advice? Thanks

Maximo · 03-01-2011, 08:44 AM

I would put him in an xpen, or small room so that he doesn't have to spend an entire day on top of his piddle pad, which will undoubtedly be well used. Otherwise, you are going to come home to one messy and unhappy pup.

ETA: 6-8 hours without food or water is not advisable at that age.

jennzy · 03-01-2011, 08:50 AM

that space looks really small! can you maybe get fences and make a play room for your puppy? that way the puppy has enough room to play eat, pee, sleep. i think that might be better idea! perhaps also look into purchasing an automatic feeder.

bjh · 03-01-2011, 08:59 AM

I agree that a larger area would be better. An x-pen would be great but you have to make sure he is not a climber. Pups can get hurt really bad climbing out of x-pens. If you could gate off the kitchen that would be nice. You just have to make sure there is nothing he can get into. Puppies are good at getting into trouble. The only other possibility would be a puppy sitter or if you had a relative that would want to watch him for the day. How big is your pup? If he is a tiny boy then I would worry more about leaving him alone so long.

JedsMom · 03-01-2011, 10:22 AM

Yeah I realize that if I leave him for 6 to 8 hours he would have to have some food and water available. The only room that I would "might" be able to block off, would be the kitchen. But the opening between the kitchen and living room is 8'4". Rather large.

Just to explain further about the "potty pen" It is just used for him going potty in and for maybe 2 to 4 hours at a time. NOTHING longer than that ever. And even saying 4 hours is probably stretching it a bit. I know that I would never leave him in there all day. It is big for a potty area but it's contained and is working for us till we are able to work on going outside.

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I am thinking of a temp. fence. Just trying to figure out how to keep it from flopping over.

qnsryker · 03-01-2011, 10:31 AM

My pup stays in an ex-pen during the day when we are at work. I go home at lunch to let him out to play/potty for 1/2 hour. I don't leave food but I do have one of those water bottles that you would use for a rabbit or hamster attached to the ex-pen. I don't leave potty pads and he never goes potty in the pen. Last weekend we had to leave him in the pen for about 8 hours. That is the longest I have ever left him "locked up". He never had an accident in the pen. I didn't like leaving him in there that long, but he was fine. I am now starting to leave him in the house without being confined for like an hour at a time. We have another dog and I've done that twice and nothing was destroyed! Yay!

Gatord · 03-01-2011, 10:34 AM

You can get the x-pens at Walmart (cheapest place I found). They have them in the baby department and the pet department. But I think the baby departments are cheaper. If you dont want that much space I think it comes in a 6-panel side you can take off some of the panels and make it smaller. This is what I used when mine was young pup. Then as he grew I added the panels back. You can even buy the extra panels later if you want to make it even bigger. I did that too. You can make the x-pen in just about any shape. Square, round, octagone (sp) ect. You might could even open it up enough to fit across the kitchen opening. I have done that too. I use mine for so many different things. I use two panels to block off rooms I don't want them in also.

boopster · 03-01-2011, 10:39 AM

What about a bathroom? It would be easy to clean up just in case but at least your pup could have his food, eater, a potty spot, and place to sleep without being too cramped. But make sure you close the lid on the toilet.

Rachael1983 · 03-01-2011, 11:00 AM

In my honest opinion I think she has an awfully large crate and probably isn't opposed to coming home to a messy puppy or to clean up a mess. Understanding this I wouldn't be against keeping him in there all day for a few reasons.

1. He's got ample room.
2. His food and water dish can be elevated onto the crate to prevent tip over etc, So hypoglycemia is prevented for this young pup.
3. He'll stay out of trouble, whereas in the kitchen he can get out. The bathroom is a no go.

Maximo · 03-01-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachael1983

In my honest opinion I think she has an awfully large crate and probably isn't opposed to coming home to a messy puppy or to clean up a mess. Understanding this I wouldn't be against keeping him in there all day for a few reasons.

1. He's got ample room.
2. His food and water dish can be elevated onto the crate to prevent tip over etc, So hypoglycemia is prevented for this young pup.
3. He'll stay out of trouble, whereas in the kitchen he can get out. The bathroom is a no go.

The one problem I have is that it is not nice to leave a pup (he is only 14 weeks) that long in his own mess.

Nancy1999 · 03-01-2011, 01:38 PM

If you plan to leave him for long periods over two hours at a time, you need to get him accustomed to using pee pads. A 13-week-old puppy should not be expected to hold it for 8 hours. I'm not sure at what age they can do hold it 8 hours, overnight it's easier because urine production is way down. You gradually get them use to holding it longer and longer, and not by withholding water, as that doesn't allow the bladder to normally grow and stretch. I agree with the others an x-pen with food water, bed, toys and a pee pad is the way to go. I personally think 8 hours is too long for a puppy to be left alone, even with an x-pen. What happens he experiences hypoglycemia? Crate training is great for housebreaking, but it's not meant to be used to keep the puppy in all day long. Breaks should come at least every two hours, and many say every hour at this age.

gardengirl77 · 03-01-2011, 01:43 PM

I had the very same problem when Heidi was little. I hated leaving her (still do), but this solution finally worked for me: I got 2 wire cages like yours (one has two doors). I pulled the 2nd door off and put the cages together. Now its like she has her own little mini-suite. One room with her dog bed & water bottle, and the other with her puppy pad. It works out really good for her. Occasionally she'll mess up & step in it

, but then I just pop her in the tub when I get home and wash her little feet. It just dawned on me, maybe if I put a towel over the front of her bathroom side she won't go in there so much and won't be as likely to step on it. Hmmm, I'm going to try that!

LeylasMom · 03-02-2011, 12:03 PM

I take Leyla everywhere with me. Life in the Florida keys is pretty laid back and most places are pet friendly. Left her home one evening for about 2 hours to go to dinner with friends (crated) and had to wake her when we got back. I take her crate on the boat in case it gets rough so no one will step on her so she is used to it and will sleep in there when bored with fishing. Sometimes she sits in a purse or her stroller but is usually just leashed when we go shopping. If anyplace has a problem with this, then they don't need my business and we won't go back. Hasn't happened yet.

concretegurl · 03-02-2011, 05:52 PM

Pic shows a kennel perfect to bed time at night-not a play pen for the day-way too small!

In a play area you need a bed area, a play area, a potty area, a food/water area (I say 2'x2' divided each section)....4'x4' minimum for really small Yorkies 6'x6' is better and a safety proofed room isn't a bad idea later-when potty pad training is going good.

Bed area: yep a soft comfy bed whatever kind you use-store bough-a pillow-ppl sell em on here-I really love the Temperpedic scrap ones made into a pillow bed personally

Play area: has safe toys to use when unsupervised...kong, dental natural fiber ropes, if you leave stuffies- make sure they don't have squeakers-eyes or noses that can be choked on-try to get creative occupying safe ones!

Food/water area: make sure it can't be spread all over leave a minimum amount i actually prefer a dog water bottle as my miniature schnauzer requires one but my Yorkeis love it too-much safer for pups to use-trust me they figure it out! food in a bowl that can't be knocked over broken, etc...

Potty area:
AKC potty patch-washable potty pads people sell them on here best ones available on the market-heck news paper also works...if you only paper the potty section to make it clear...

I'd be scared to go over 3 hours...with one so young still personally. Ever considered doggy day care-but honestly mine survived 5 hours before. Make sure you have Nutrical and you doggy first aid kit ready in case you come home to an emergency-sorry to scare but best to be prepared!

cally930 · 03-02-2011, 06:23 PM

Hey.....why don't you take him with you? Mine (well just Coco) goes with me everywhere. I carry her around in her bag and no one even knows shes with me.

03-01-2011, 08:08 AM	#1
JedsMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ky united states Posts: 110	Leaving pup alone during the day? I will get a broad varity of answers here I am sure.... Jed is 13 weeks, (14 on friday) I have left him alone for up to 4 hours at a time. Have to buy groceries, go to church and such. But...this saturday my DD wants me to go shopping with her. ALL DAY shopping. This is the pen I put him in when I leave for any amount of time. I will put in a blanket or towel for him to lay on towards the back, throw in a couple of toys and shut the door. I always make sure he has ate and gotten a drink but I don't put the food and water in there with him when he is shut in. I would really like to spend time shopping with DD but am unsure what to do with Jed....any suggestions? advice? Thanks

03-01-2011, 08:44 AM	#2
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	I would put him in an xpen, or small room so that he doesn't have to spend an entire day on top of his piddle pad, which will undoubtedly be well used. Otherwise, you are going to come home to one messy and unhappy pup. ETA: 6-8 hours without food or water is not advisable at that age. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy Last edited by Maximo; 03-01-2011 at 08:46 AM.

03-01-2011, 08:59 AM	#4
bjh Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 7,959	I agree that a larger area would be better. An x-pen would be great but you have to make sure he is not a climber. Pups can get hurt really bad climbing out of x-pens. If you could gate off the kitchen that would be nice. You just have to make sure there is nothing he can get into. Puppies are good at getting into trouble. The only other possibility would be a puppy sitter or if you had a relative that would want to watch him for the day. How big is your pup? If he is a tiny boy then I would worry more about leaving him alone so long. __________________ "Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

03-01-2011, 11:00 AM	#9
Rachael1983 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Burbs of DC Posts: 2,198	In my honest opinion I think she has an awfully large crate and probably isn't opposed to coming home to a messy puppy or to clean up a mess. Understanding this I wouldn't be against keeping him in there all day for a few reasons. 1. He's got ample room. 2. His food and water dish can be elevated onto the crate to prevent tip over etc, So hypoglycemia is prevented for this young pup. 3. He'll stay out of trouble, whereas in the kitchen he can get out. The bathroom is a no go. __________________ Owned by Troy(RIP) & Emma

03-01-2011, 01:38 PM	#11
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	If you plan to leave him for long periods over two hours at a time, you need to get him accustomed to using pee pads. A 13-week-old puppy should not be expected to hold it for 8 hours. I'm not sure at what age they can do hold it 8 hours, overnight it's easier because urine production is way down. You gradually get them use to holding it longer and longer, and not by withholding water, as that doesn't allow the bladder to normally grow and stretch. I agree with the others an x-pen with food water, bed, toys and a pee pad is the way to go. I personally think 8 hours is too long for a puppy to be left alone, even with an x-pen. What happens he experiences hypoglycemia? Crate training is great for housebreaking, but it's not meant to be used to keep the puppy in all day long. Breaks should come at least every two hours, and many say every hour at this age. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

03-01-2011, 08:50 AM	#3
jennzy YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: TOronto, Canada Posts: 804	that space looks really small! can you maybe get fences and make a play room for your puppy? that way the puppy has enough room to play eat, pee, sleep. i think that might be better idea! perhaps also look into purchasing an automatic feeder.

03-01-2011, 10:22 AM	#5
JedsMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ky united states Posts: 110	Yeah I realize that if I leave him for 6 to 8 hours he would have to have some food and water available. The only room that I would "might" be able to block off, would be the kitchen. But the opening between the kitchen and living room is 8'4". Rather large. Just to explain further about the "potty pen" It is just used for him going potty in and for maybe 2 to 4 hours at a time. NOTHING longer than that ever. And even saying 4 hours is probably stretching it a bit. I know that I would never leave him in there all day. It is big for a potty area but it's contained and is working for us till we are able to work on going outside. Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I am thinking of a temp. fence. Just trying to figure out how to keep it from flopping over.

03-01-2011, 10:31 AM	#6
qnsryker Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 73	My pup stays in an ex-pen during the day when we are at work. I go home at lunch to let him out to play/potty for 1/2 hour. I don't leave food but I do have one of those water bottles that you would use for a rabbit or hamster attached to the ex-pen. I don't leave potty pads and he never goes potty in the pen. Last weekend we had to leave him in the pen for about 8 hours. That is the longest I have ever left him "locked up". He never had an accident in the pen. I didn't like leaving him in there that long, but he was fine. I am now starting to leave him in the house without being confined for like an hour at a time. We have another dog and I've done that twice and nothing was destroyed! Yay!

03-01-2011, 10:34 AM	#7
Gatord ♥ Jack & Josie ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: FL Posts: 1,235	You can get the x-pens at Walmart (cheapest place I found). They have them in the baby department and the pet department. But I think the baby departments are cheaper. If you dont want that much space I think it comes in a 6-panel side you can take off some of the panels and make it smaller. This is what I used when mine was young pup. Then as he grew I added the panels back. You can even buy the extra panels later if you want to make it even bigger. I did that too. You can make the x-pen in just about any shape. Square, round, octagone (sp) ect. You might could even open it up enough to fit across the kitchen opening. I have done that too. I use mine for so many different things. I use two panels to block off rooms I don't want them in also.

03-01-2011, 10:39 AM	#8
boopster Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,643 Blog Entries: 1	What about a bathroom? It would be easy to clean up just in case but at least your pup could have his food, eater, a potty spot, and place to sleep without being too cramped. But make sure you close the lid on the toilet.

03-01-2011, 01:43 PM	#12
gardengirl77 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 822	I had the very same problem when Heidi was little. I hated leaving her (still do), but this solution finally worked for me: I got 2 wire cages like yours (one has two doors). I pulled the 2nd door off and put the cages together. Now its like she has her own little mini-suite. One room with her dog bed & water bottle, and the other with her puppy pad. It works out really good for her. Occasionally she'll mess up & step in it , but then I just pop her in the tub when I get home and wash her little feet. It just dawned on me, maybe if I put a towel over the front of her bathroom side she won't go in there so much and won't be as likely to step on it. Hmmm, I'm going to try that!

03-02-2011, 12:03 PM	#13
LeylasMom Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tavernier, FL, USA Posts: 54	I take Leyla everywhere with me. Life in the Florida keys is pretty laid back and most places are pet friendly. Left her home one evening for about 2 hours to go to dinner with friends (crated) and had to wake her when we got back. I take her crate on the boat in case it gets rough so no one will step on her so she is used to it and will sleep in there when bored with fishing. Sometimes she sits in a purse or her stroller but is usually just leashed when we go shopping. If anyplace has a problem with this, then they don't need my business and we won't go back. Hasn't happened yet.

03-02-2011, 05:52 PM	#14
concretegurl Between♥Suspensions Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vaissades Posts: 7,979	Pic shows a kennel perfect to bed time at night-not a play pen for the day-way too small! In a play area you need a bed area, a play area, a potty area, a food/water area (I say 2'x2' divided each section)....4'x4' minimum for really small Yorkies 6'x6' is better and a safety proofed room isn't a bad idea later-when potty pad training is going good. Bed area: yep a soft comfy bed whatever kind you use-store bough-a pillow-ppl sell em on here-I really love the Temperpedic scrap ones made into a pillow bed personally Play area: has safe toys to use when unsupervised...kong, dental natural fiber ropes, if you leave stuffies- make sure they don't have squeakers-eyes or noses that can be choked on-try to get creative occupying safe ones! Food/water area: make sure it can't be spread all over leave a minimum amount i actually prefer a dog water bottle as my miniature schnauzer requires one but my Yorkeis love it too-much safer for pups to use-trust me they figure it out! food in a bowl that can't be knocked over broken, etc... Potty area: AKC potty patch-washable potty pads people sell them on here best ones available on the market-heck news paper also works...if you only paper the potty section to make it clear... I'd be scared to go over 3 hours...with one so young still personally. Ever considered doggy day care-but honestly mine survived 5 hours before. Make sure you have Nutrical and you doggy first aid kit ready in case you come home to an emergency-sorry to scare but best to be prepared! __________________ Shan & 8 kids now!

03-02-2011, 06:23 PM	#15
cally930 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mt. Sinai, New York Posts: 910	Hey.....why don't you take him with you? Mine (well just Coco) goes with me everywhere. I carry her around in her bag and no one even knows shes with me.