to crate or not to crate
 

I have been keeping my 5 1/2 month old Abby in a crate while I'm at work during the day. I have someone come in twice a day to let her out to play and pee/poop outside. I don't use pee pads because she will go outside. Yesterday my dog walker said he thought Abby wasn't getting enough exercise because I keep her crated during the day. He thinks she should be strong enough to jump up on his lap--she only weighs about 3.75 lbs. He suggested I pen her up in the kitchen with her crate. I was planning on doing that once she got a little older and I knew she could be trusted. In any event, this morning I put her exercise pen around her crate in the kitchen and put a pee pad in the area and left her food and water. The dog walker will still come twice a day, but I have a feeling she'll just sleep when no one's around anyway. His point was that if she wasn't confined to her crate, she would get stronger and wouldn't be lethargic. I don't think she's lethargic. When I get home she's so excited to see me we go out and play and for a walk. When she wakes up early in the morning we go out and then we play for about 30 minutes. I don't want her to be sad or depressed all day, but I also don't want her to regress and decide it's ok to pee or poop anywhere on the floor anytime she wants. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

It sounds to me as though you are handling the situation well. I would be sure to take her for more than just one walk a day though. They do need exercise and at her age, she should be full of energy.

Hello and welcome to YT...I work in Oakton/Vienna, VA down the road from Sterling. :D

Anyway, I never crated...I just never liked having such a small confined space, but then again, I would be gone about 9 hours for work...How long are you away?

I prefer the kitchen area or similar with a babygate, having the crate in there with her bed in it, some toys, pp pads and small bowl of water. Water is important for them, especially at that age. Mine are all pp pad and outside trained..I like that because it's convenient because on bad rainy days and/or snow/blizzard days, they're already trained to use the pp pad as an alternate instead of killing themselves( & possibly damaging something) holding it. It is also good for travel if staying in a hotel room. I'm able to put a pad int he bathroom for them to use. They all will not jsut use the pad just because it's there either, they prefer to go outside so I have the best of both! :D

I just think everyone should do what's best for them & their baby. You'll know what works best. Maybe you want to use the crate now, since she's so young, & then as she gets older, you can change to having a little more space like the kitchen.

Good Luck!

Sounds like you are doing fine to me. I have several Chihuahua's and one Yorkie. They are all crated during the day when we go to work or when we have to be gone from home for more than a few minutes. When we are home they always have full access to house or crate.
We do this to protect them and the house but in general they actually like their crates and their own space. Many times they go there even when they have full access.
Crating won't keep your dog from having the ability to jump. If they are capable at all they will learn how to do it. The only one of mine that can't do it is my tiny chihuahua that just isn't big enough. We had to get her some stairs.
Just make sure they get plenty of exercise when you are home, even if you are tired.

I liked using an XPEN. Its open and not so confining

I agree at least with an ex-pen they can play and get some exercise!Kennel-Aire Exercise Pens - Exercise Pens - Crates & Kennels - PetSmart