Staying Home Alone OUT OF CRATE! Hi guys, Ava is 7 months now, and I've been thinking about letting her stay out of her crate while I'm out. I've tried it out a few times, increasing the duration each time. I was gone for an hour today and she chewed up part of a rug, but other than that, all seemed well. I'm just really scared to really commit to doing this. Any feedback? How old were your babies when you started doing this? |
I would say start for just a short period of time and extend the time as she earns your trust. Rocco stays at home out of crate very often now, but I confine him to only 2 rooms when he's out (kitchen and oversized dining/great room). I never would have done it so soon (he's now about 5.5 months, has been staying out for about a month now), but it turned out that he got out of his crate a few times and greeted me at the door when I came home. When that happened, there wasn't a single thing out of place and he peed on his pee pad :). So I started intentionally leaving him out for about 1/2 - 1 hour at a time and now he's great...never a problem (my rooms are puppy-proofed also). He has been 'out' for up to 4 hours and he's just fine. It really is easier on me knowing he's not crated so much during the day and at night too. Good luck! |
Great advice, thank you! I will follow that. What do you do to "puppy proof"? |
Just simple, common sense stuff really. Make sure there are no dangling cords (electric as well as blinds), no lower cabinets containing anything toxic that they might get into, etc. to keep them out of danger. Also, don't leave your best shoes on the floor that they might chew - you don't want to set them up for failure. Leave some interesting toys and a cozy blanket out too. |
I agree that it is a good idea to limit the roaming area. In addition to the great suggestions above, cover electrical outlets as you would for a baby. Put houseplants, magazine and books, and other attractive chewables out of reach. |
Mine were usually about 7-9 months old before I left them out when I was gone. Then they were confined to a couple of puppy proofed rooms. I did have some carpet chewing and holes in the walls but they adjusted pretty quickly. |
Jackson was 5 months old and had free roam, but he luckily never chewed anything, or had accidents, etc while I was gone (when I AM home-- that's another story! ;)) but I think it just depends on the dog really. |
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I use an ex-pen across our large opening in the dining room to the living room. Our kitchen is right next door, so we put a baby gate across the kitchen/living room opening. They have three pet beds and two crates with pet beds to hang out in along with toys, food, kongs/squirrel buddies, and water. I close the door to the bathroom off the hallway to the kitchen. I'd love to give them the whole first floor, but I worry about them jumping off the couch onto the wood floor and breaking a leg. Does anyone who gives them free roam in the living room have wood floors that they would jump onto from couches? I totally agree with puppy proofing. You'd be surprised with what they will get into! |
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