1st Day Leaving Tommy alone: Where should he go?
 

Well, I've only had him since Sunday. Tomorrow night will be my first night back at work since bringing him home. I've only left him home alone once so far (doc appt). I left him in my half bathroom for like 3-4hrs. He didn't seem to like that, and actually tried to run out the front door (it was cracked)

I have a crate thing. But, I think I may have bought the wrong kind. This is kind of small, almost like if he was going to be in a car. Can he be in that, or will that not be comfy for me being gone 8-9hrs?

I was thinking about putting the gate up, to keep him in the kitchen. Only problem w/ that is it connects to stairs that lead to the bedrooms (I'm in a townhouse). The entire 5 days he's been here, he's never once tried to go upstairs. Actually, I think he's afraid of stairs. We went on a walk the other day, and when I started climbing the stairs (only like 5-6) he refused and pulled away. I had to pick him up and carry him.

What's the best option? I want him to be comfy. But, I also don't want any accidents either. FYI: he has yet to have an accident in the home. He enjoys his sleep though :p

eta: In case anyone is curious, he is about 5-7yrs old.

Whenever I leave the house, I put my two in our second bathroom. Its tiled so if the do have an accident, its easy to clean up. They have a comfy bed in there and I make sure each one has their favorite toy. Other than needing to keep the trash can out of their reach, they do just fine in there. In fact, all I have to do is say "go bye-bye", and they automatically run for the bathroom.

8-9 hours is a long time to be alone though, so I wouldnt be surprised if a potty accident happens in that time frame especially if he's not used to holding it that long. In my experience though, A.J and KaCee adjusted very quickly to being left for periods of time.

May I suggest PET YARD XT...sold at Petsmart...When leaving my pup for an extended period I found this to be the way to go until Sassy was house broken...Its large enough to place puppy pads on one end and her bed at the other end...It was the best investment I've made for my pup...I got a plastic double feeder from the dollar store...drilled two large holes on its side so I can run a string through and attach it to the yard so she has access to water and food without spillage...Have a good one:)

How about an X-pen or can you put a gate where the kitchen connects with the stairs?
If so, try gating and maybe put the crate in the kitchen with him, so he could go in and out on his own. Do you know if he was used to a crate? He may feel safe with it.
I know our two love theirs and go in and out all day!

Thanks everyone. I was kinda apprehensive having him in a crate considering he spent the bulk of his life in one already - he was used strictly for mating.

For tonight, I'll leave him in the bathroom, with pottypads on the floor. And his bed too. Thanks so far for the ideas. I appreciate it!

what about a play pen i have one that looks like this, this may be my pen just in a different design mine is blue i only use it for when i leave or when we have small children over or when we are cleaning with chemicals never for ordinary play time or for punishment he has a metal crate for when he is bad and a baby gated dining room for when he wants to play

Amazon.com: Zebra Pet Dog Cat Tent Puppy Playpen...

I have something sort of similar to that. But my Brandi being the escape artist that she is has chewed a hole so she was able to get out. I've patch the hole and so far she hasn't be able to get out. I'm holding my breath though.....there has been no ex-pen or crate that she hasn't been able to get out of as of yet.