Didn't crate Samson today

[roxies_mom]

Originally Posted by samsonsmomdana

What kind of "chew" bones do you all recommend? Should I leave it for him when I am not there? I was giving him one by Pedigree that was completely digestible. When he gets it down to the "nub" I throw it away. I have given him rawhide but am so scared he is going to choke. Any suggestions on how to keep him "occupied" when he's home alone?

Roxie loves Bully Styx. I call them stinky styx but they are safe and she loves them. I think most on here like the Red Barn? brand and ones that are made in the U.S. That's usually what I get. Good Luck with leaving your baby out today. I leave Roxie out all of the time too. She's always been pretty good and just curls up on my shoes in my closet and sleeps when I'm gone. I've been lucky with her not chewing anything up. She did chew a cord once and that was this winter. It was my electric blanket cord which runs under the bed. Guess she decided that never used to be there and for some odd reason began chewing on it. I was surprised she didn't get zapped because it was chewed in half. She chases the cats under the bed during playtime so my guess is that she was just in wild mode anyway.

[roxies_mom]

Oh I was going to add that I always do a scan of the house before I leave to make sure there is nothing that might tempt or hurt her.

[yasminv1]

Awww...I remember when Biggie was finally free all day. Biggie Learned how to get out of his crate. Little Genius learned to bat the lever just right and push to the right to get himself out. First couple of times this happened I thought I did not close the crate right. My husband yelled at me. Luckily, Biggie had no accidents and did not destroy anything. We finally figured out a couple days later we had an escape artist when we both made it a point to ensure the crate was locked and came home to a happy-tail wagging little genius. We placed him in his crate...locked it and stared with amazement as he unlocked it. We figured he did not want to be crated all day and since he had not had any accidents..we figured it was time to let him free.

[LilMissy]

Missy gets run of the house. She is SO good with her pee pads, and has been for quite some time. She's never chewed anything other than her toys...so I figured why not! Usually it's just for half an hour or an hour, but Saturday night I left her out for the entire evening while we went to Monster Jam. I came home to a pee on her pad, and her sleeping in her bed. She did awesome. Until she messes up, she will continue to get free reign. I make sure she's safe when I'm gone, and I close the doors to bedrooms/bathrooms. The stairs have a baby gate. She's not big enough to jump up onto anything yet, so no concerns there. She's only 19 weeks, I'm so proud that she is doing so well with her training.

[samsonsmomdana]

I got home at about 3:20 and went straight to the newspaper. Nothing on it! So I thought, ok, where did you do it? I figured if he peed it would still be wet/smell so I went on the hunt. I don't have carpet, just one area rug in living room and back den. So I got down on hand and knees and passed my hand over the entire rug. Then I met up with a little turd on the rug near the sofa . Samson ususally poos before I leave but did not yesterday. But it was very small and dry so it cleaned up easy. I never felt or smelled pee. I checked the hardwood floors and kitchen and did not find anything. So maybe he held it . I was very pleased, he didn't get into anything he shouldn't have. So today he's out again and he pood before I left. Hopefully he will use the paper (right by the back door) today if he needs to go. Hubby still does not know! Hopefully today will do great too. I think he was much happier not being crated. This morning he just sat on the sofa when I walked out the front door, as if to say "I'll be right here when you get back".

[Potter]

Originally Posted by samsonsmomdana

I got home at about 3:20 and went straight to the newspaper. Nothing on it! So I thought, ok, where did you do it? I figured if he peed it would still be wet/smell so I went on the hunt. I don't have carpet, just one area rug in living room and back den. So I got down on hand and knees and passed my hand over the entire rug. Then I met up with a little turd on the rug near the sofa . Samson ususally poos before I leave but did not yesterday. But it was very small and dry so it cleaned up easy. I never felt or smelled pee. I checked the hardwood floors and kitchen and did not find anything. So maybe he held it . I was very pleased, he didn't get into anything he shouldn't have. So today he's out again and he pood before I left. Hopefully he will use the paper (right by the back door) today if he needs to go. Hubby still does not know! Hopefully today will do great too. I think he was much happier not being crated. This morning he just sat on the sofa when I walked out the front door, as if to say "I'll be right here when you get back".

I hope Samson will be good for his mommy too . I am sure they like it better when they get a free run.

[samsonsmomdana]

All went pretty well. I found no potty anywhere, so he held it. But I noticed in my living room there were pieces of red shag rug on the floor. Then I saw the "bald spot" starting on the rug where Samson had been chewing on it. I cleaned it up and was able to cover the bald spot so it isn't noticeable. So I told hubby what I had done the last 2 days. He was ok and wanted to know how Samson did. I told him about the rug and he said put him back in the crate. I agree. I caught Samson chewing on the spot again so this time he got a big, LOUD "NO!!!!!" from me. After I fussed at him, he went and layed on his pillow that's on the floor in the living room. So I know he was upset. I can't trust that he won't chew the rug further, he's bored. And that rug was $200! So I decided to give him more room in his xpen. It used to just have enough room to go around his crate so he can have a separate place for potty paper and water. But this morning I used the whole xpen and made a larger area for him. What can I say? I tried to give Samson his freedom but that red rug was just too tempting for him!

[TeresaM]

Originally Posted by samsonsmomdana

All went pretty well. I found no potty anywhere, so he held it. But I noticed in my living room there were pieces of red shag rug on the floor. Then I saw the "bald spot" starting on the rug where Samson had been chewing on it. I cleaned it up and was able to cover the bald spot so it isn't noticeable. So I told hubby what I had done the last 2 days. He was ok and wanted to know how Samson did. I told him about the rug and he said put him back in the crate. I agree. I caught Samson chewing on the spot again so this time he got a big, LOUD "NO!!!!!" from me. After I fussed at him, he went and layed on his pillow that's on the floor in the living room. So I know he was upset. I can't trust that he won't chew the rug further, he's bored. And that rug was $200! So I decided to give him more room in his xpen. It used to just have enough room to go around his crate so he can have a separate place for potty paper and water. But this morning I used the whole xpen and made a larger area for him. What can I say? I tried to give Samson his freedom but that red rug was just too tempting for him!

That's the way I am with Gracie Ruth right now. She's 1 yrs old, but I still can't trust her 100% to not chew on something she shouldn't. We got some new living room furniture last year and I'm worried she'd chew on it or on the TV/DVD/Stereo cords. It's just easier, safer, and gives so much peace of mind to keep her in the kitchen for right now. There will be plenty of for her to have the run of the house once she's a little older and more reliable.