[kimmiek]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hi Kimmie. I think you were given excellent advice by mblab in the post way above.

One thing I want to mention right off is a caution in leaving bully sticks alone with your baby, that's a choking hazard; they sure are a nice chew (I use them too) - but I'd only give them when you're present .

When a dog is left for 10 hours, you really need to allow it to drink and have access to go to the bathroom. Sometimes, all this stuff gets very confusing. When it does, I put myself in their shoes ("paws", lol! ) and think "could I hold my bladder for 10 hours? Not drink? Not eat?" - no. Personally, I just don't think it's appropriate to expect it of them (that's my opinion).

I work 3 days a week, my hubby full time. We have a very large master bathroom connected to our master bedroom, and it has large window - so the bathroom is where we keep our babies when we're gone. We have water for them, washable pee pads, safe toys, beds, a large pillow. We put a bottle in the middle of the pee pad so they have something to "mark". We used to have to "anchor" the pad when Marcel went through a stage of playing w/ the pad for awhile (then he got over it). Sometimes, they go off the pad - and since we're not home - we consider that our problem, not theirs. They really do pretty good.

It's not easy, but you'll find something that works. I do not think the answer, for 10 hours, is to confine your baby to an even smaller area. I think you need to provide toys, a washable pee pad (perhaps anchored by cement blocks), water. And, a lot of walks/exercise. Confinement is very stressful for these fellas - he will likely develop a stress disorder, imo (if you go smaller). Also, what about a DAP collar or DAP Hormone plug in? That may help calm him too. Hang in there, Kimmie, you'll get him there.

In my previous posts I already mentioned that he DOES have water and food. He has a water bottle attached to his crate that's usually meant for big rabbits, ferrets or guinea pigs that he drinks from with no problem. And he has a little food container attached to the side as well.

I unfortunately dont have a large anything in this new apartment. The bathroom is small and the kitchen is small....all rooms are small. It will be MY problem if he potties in the apartment continously because I'm just renting. If I owned a home it would be different. I can't afford to lose my deposit on this apartment too because of his damages. You saw what he did to the carpet in those pictures I posted.

He makes his own access to the bathroom himself by pottying in his crate on the crate pad which was the main reason for this post before it went in 500 different directions. Thankfully he doesnt poop in there, he just pees. I can't blame him because that's a long time to be in there. But there's absolutely nothing I can do about that length of time right now...........