Thanks for advice, I want to get it straight. It's OK to put a pee pad in the wire crate that they are in during the day but NOT in the crate where they sleep? Because if that's the case, i will continue to use his current crate for his bed and set the wire one up in the living room and have 2.

Sorry I just saw this....I am not much help because I nevere crate trained Maximus...I gate hom off in the living room and he pee pee pad trained REALLY quickly....he has free roam of the living room while I am at work and basically sleeps all day...my bf has attested to it (Maximus didn't realize he was still home)..good luck with Chewy and the Job!!!

My dogs HATED their crate - so I got rid of it fast. I've never heard of a Yorkie or Maltese who actually hated their crate as much as my 2 dogs - even the breeder I got them from was completely surprised. They are too spolied! Anyway, what I do is leave the bedroom and bathroom door closed during the day. I have a baby gate up to block them from going into the living room because Katie likes to poop on my couch!! I allow them to have free run of the kitchen, dining room and hallway. I have a HUGE bed and tons of toys in the kitchen, in their own private little spot. I also leave out dry food and water during the day. In the summer, I leave the air conditioner on low (in the kitchen) so that they don't get over-heated in the house all day.

Now, there are lots of options out there for assistance while you're not home. My boss has a nanny come to her house everyday for 1 hour to take her dog for a walk and play with her. That is a bit expensive for me, so what I do is either have my mom babysit them - I drop them off at her house in the morning before going to work - or I have my cousin, Robert, come over my house and hang out w/ my dogs for an hour or so. I don't have someone come over EVERY SINGLE day because I want my dogs to be comfortable being left alone. But on vey hot and humid days I do because I am always worried about hypoglycemia (especially because Katie is only 2.6 lbs).

I hope this helps a bit! Good luck and don't worry - everything will work out just fine! :D

Thanks for advice, I want to get it straight. It's OK to put a pee pad in the wire crate that they are in during the day but NOT in the crate where they sleep? Because if that's the case, will continue to use his current crate for his bed and set the wire one up in the living room and have 2.

Yes, that is what I am saying. They will associate the open area with activity and their crate with the bed if they sleep in it all day...If you have a way to barricade the puppy in an uncarpeted room and not behind a door--they will chew wood, walls, bottoms of doors, and anything else they can wrap their teeth around...
That might not work for others but it has for me for many dogs...sometimes, we have to outsmart these furbabies..

I'm going to get the wire crate tomorrow because I had planned to leave Chewy for 3 hours today - never a problem - but I got caught out for 6 hours :eek: Totally unavoidable and i got home and Chewy peed in his crate, his little crate that he sleeps in. I bathed him and cleaned the crate with lysol but I feel so bad for the little guy!

Gerry- How big is your Yorkie? When mine were puppies I used an ex pen that is made for a guinea pig that I got at PetSupermarket. It worked great for me and was a LOT less expensive than the larger pens. Here are some pics...

Tara: Chewy is still tiny, 2 1/2 lbs. By look of your pics this is what Whispersmom also described and I need to do this tomorrow! Thanks for the pics you have a great setup.

Gerry- This ex pen was only $20 and it has worked great for me bc it folds up and you can also open it up and use it to block off an area as well! Good luck!

20 bucks! That's a bargain. The one I was looking at was $75. I'll have to check the small animal isle.

I think you made a great decision to spend the summer with your son - you will never regret it!
Have you considered a companion for Chewy? :D I seriously think two are just as easy as one! And when you are gone, they have each other & you aren't as anxious. Kodah used to cry AFTER we would come home from leaving her at home alone (which was never more than an hour or two), but once we got Stormy, they just bounce with excitement when we come home. Just a thought!! Whatever you decide, I am sure Chewy will adjust and be fine. (The second puppy just gives ME some "peace of mind" when gone. :)

When we first got Gus it was hard leaving home. But little by little it got easier. After his accident we have not been seperated. I take him everywhere with me. And if can't there is someone always here with him. Today my youngest daughter had a fieldtrip and usually chaperone or help out the schools when needed. I really did not want to leave but my daughter really wanted me to be there. I was worrying about Gus the whole time. When I got home he was the happies little boy. And he was just fine. I leave him in the family room which his crate is located. He is inclosed with plastic (not wire) baby gates on each side of enterance. I leave potty bads out for him but he usually waits till I get home. I make sure there is nothing on the floor but his toys, his food and water.

Your baby will be fine...
 

It might take a little time since your baby is used to you, but Stomper has adapted just fine. It took time though. He used to cry when I left for work. Now at 7 months, he doesn't even watch me leave! Stomper has TONS of toys and a doggy door. The doggy door is what has made the difference. He doesn't have to hold his bladder (he did not like to go on the pads) and he can have fun outside to release his energy. Stomper is large and we are in a safe area for him to be outside. He tends to bring leaves, bark,etc. into the house but that is just a puppy thing (at least I hope). Good luck. Don't feel too guilty!!! Dogs sleep so much he will be fine!

I wish, but my husband would kill me if I came home with another dog!!! I love hearing what everyone does because I get so many ideas. For the summer we'll be fine because I usually bring Chewy to the park with us and he just sits on my lap or we go once around for a little excercise.

I am pro large cage. I have yet to have a problem of a dog messing in it's large cage.
10 dogs, no problem. Working with the humane society they are pro large cage as well. Half the cage to sleep in/half the cage to play in. If you have them on feeding schedule they will poop before you go to work and when you get home and before bedtime. Some dogs only poop once a day. My Dog Comic only pees twice a day. I walk him several times. What if you are late from say a major accident on the freeway and your are delayed hours in getting home? What if the dog has no choice but to go in the crate/cage. Should it have to lay in it? I like the large cages because it has a top and so the dog does not try to jump out of it with danger of getting hung. Maybe you could borrow a cage/pen/crate and see what works best for you and the dog. The cage does become like a dog house, the dog or puppy will go in it when the door is open. I had one dog that used to go in his cage and shut the door with his paw when we had kids over. You can also leave a radio on if the dog is used to lots of noise.

When I go to work I have the same set up as LvMyYorki but I have her in them in the bathroom. She will be fine it just takes time to get use to it in both parts