dt7624

How long do you think would be comfortable to leave a five month old puppy in a crate. She stays on our bed at night for about 6 or so hours and in her crate 2 - 3 hours at a time during the day. We would probably be gone for about 6 hours and she would have to be in her crate. We were planning to be away on Sat. and then remembered we can't leave Lucy. Can't wait till she doesn't have to be in a crate and can be left longer. I really appreciate any help!

Spencer

Potty-wise, my mom's rule of thumb for leaving puppies in the crate is that they can - on average - hold their bladders for about 30 minutes for every month they are old. Until they are more mature have have more control. Her boy puppy was able to be left longer in his crate faster than her girl puppy, he was averaging a solid hour/month old at about 5 months, while the girl was at the 30 mins for awhile.

I also think it really depends on your individual puppy and their bladder strength/maturity level. Just make sure that if you leave her you don't leave anything that she could possibly eat and choke on, but also don't leave her with nothing to do, because then she will probably get destructive.

dt7624

That's the other thing I'm concerned about. Her crate is plenty large enough to chew her bones, move around a little, etc. but she only lays and stares or sleeps when she's in it. I know she'd just lay there and do nothing while we're gone. Is it normal to not have anything to do with chew toys, etc. while in their crate? It seems as if my other dogs would chew or play while in their crate but it's been awhile so maybe not.

pmdavis

My Roxy is 8 months next week and we leave her for the major part of the day. At 5 months it was about 5-6 hours... We only work about 10 minutes away from home and if one of the kids was not going to be in and out of the house during the day, I would come home at lunch to let her out.

Alicia

Any chance you could take your pup with you? We (weather depending) take Gracie everywhere with us. She has gone with me everywhere since she was 8 weeks old. Just a thought!

KPoos

8 weeks old! Wow I was afraid of parvo so I would never let mine go anywhere until that last shot and then the rabies. I'm too overprotective I think.

Birdie

Maybe Desmond was an odd case, but we could leave him for just about 8 hours when he was 5/6 months old. I have school, so I am out for 8 hours every day. He has never messed in his crate the whole time we've had him, and is always fine when I get home. We go out and potty IMMEDIATELY when I get home though.
My "rule" has always been they can hold it for an hour for every month old they are, and one hour more. So Lucy is 5 months old, she should be able to hold it for about 6 hours.
If she has a history of not being able to hold it for very long/messing in the crate, I wouldn't leave her for that long though.

Poodlepal

How about a pet sitter than can come over and give your little angel a potty break? Most charge only $15-20 a visit. A good pet sitter is a gift from heaven. I would also guess that your Lucy will be fine for that amount of time away. She will sleep away the day.

Generally you will be OK taking your pup places as long as you avoid places that are popular with other dogs. For instance, a dog park or pet store that allows pets in would not be wise. Also, I would not go visit a dog park with an older dog if I had a young puppy at home. You could bring something unwanted home on your shoes.

Olie

Crate training is perfectly normal and the dog typicaly considers that area their safe place. There should be no problem with you letting her in there.

Maybe it would be a good idea to try her in the crate for the night so you can get a feel for if she holds it well. I feel you answered your own question if she sleeps in bed without fail for at least 6 hours. She used to a dry place so she likely will hold out until you get home.

All my dogs are crate trained including at night. Olie is about four months and does not bark for almost 7-8 hours. Not sure how we got that lucky the Poms were different with much smaller bladders too.

I know its tough (I still have a hard time going to dinner sometimes) but go enjoy your day.

dt7624

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I guess the reason I'm so worried is that we'll be out of town. I'm sure she'd be okay. She would stay in her crate over night and a good hunk of time during the days before she was potty trained and earned her freedom.