It does sound like a ton of crate time. At least 9 hours during the day and 9 at night. Is there any way to keep him out of his crate at night? Or could you try an ex-pen so he has a little more room to run around? You could try some sort of waterproof bottom with the ex-pen if you are concerned about carpeting.
Levi's schedule at almost 3 years old is:
6:30 AM - Wake up/potty/breakfast
7:30 AM - I leave for work/school. Levi goes to my brother's room because my brother doesn't leave until later in the day. My brother takes Levi out again around 10 AM before he leaves, and then again around 3 PM when he returns.
5:30 PM - I get home and take Levi out. He eats dinner around 6PM. And then he goes out again around 7PM and 10:30PM.
I am gone 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM pretty much Monday-Friday (Thursday my schedule is a little different). If I did not live with my brother, or if he did not have such a flexible schedule, then I would definitely have a dog-walker take Levi out midday. He stays in my bedroom when no one is home.
My brother's dog have severe separation anxiety and gets destructive if left out alone. He is crated when no one is home, but that is usually a max of 6 hours a day. He is never crated overnight.
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