Posted on 09/14/2004 4:32:37 AM PDT by JockoManning
I have become responsible for two dogs due to a death in the family.
There's a lot to consider. I take it the dogs are used to only a single person being around. Being alone might be tough for them. We have humane shelters here in MA that will NEVER put an animal down (Buddy Dog, they are in my will). If you can find one where you live, talk to them. They can help you decide, if not a vet.
Dogs take well to being in a cage of a decent size. They have a denning instinct. Put some cover over the crates and they will feel safe. If you can, maybe an outside dog run. Again they still need a "private space".
I need to buy the crates. Any suggestions on WHICH BRAND OF DOG CRATE and what sizes would be best?
Hair of the Dog, could you ping your dog list?
Hair of the Dog, could you ping your dog list?
They are probably a little confused now with their owner no longer on the scene. I would recommend keeping them together. Dogs are pack animals and like each other's company.
This is a rough thing you're having to deal with. My prayers go up for you.
thanks for the prayers.
i don't want to make life miserable for them.
what i am looking for is info from experienced pet owners as to the max time a dog can be trained to stay in a crate.
does anyone know of any good books on this topic or maybe a website i could go to for info?
http://warreneckstein.com/n-whatwarren.html
He's a pet psychologist :-)
When we both have to be gone, our mastiff stays in the equivalent of a crate, a 3x4 space with a gate, and a mattress on the floor. We put in his toys and a blanket and chew treats when we have to leave. He is 7 months old and stays in for 8.5 hours. Up to five months old, he was never confined in the house.
Immediately, when one of us gets home, we let him on the deck to eat and drink, do his business. Mastiffs are quiet dogs, and he doesn't seem to mind it a bit, though I'm sure he spends most of the time sleeping.
The minipin is left to roam the house, because she's older and I KNOW she sleeps all day.
I suggest you go to a big pet store and buy a portable, adjustable pen. And you might need something to make a top for it, so they don't jump over.
Before I moved in my motherinlaw, our two shitzoo's spent all day in Doggie Day-Care!
Lock yourself in a trunk for 11 hours and see how you like it. Crating them for that long every day is inhumane. Give them away to a good home.
Many dogs take well to crate training and are left there while their owners are at work; however, 11 hours sounds awfully long to me (but then my dogs are spoiled brats).
FYI, I have a springer who is a nervous wreck in a crate, pants and droools and digs at it with his front paws, so we completely abandoned it for him. Just wanted you to know, before you invest in crates, there is a possibility it won't work.
Since there are two dogs and they are accustomed to being together, I don't think you'll have to worry about them being too lonely. They will rely on each other for company but will still act like it's the second coming of Christ when you arrive home. ;)
Two ideas you might want to consider: (1) finding someone to stop in mid-day to let them outside or to walk them; (2) fencing a portion of your yard and providing access to it via a pet door.
excellent advice...consider a dog sitter. I can't leave my poodle at home for that long. She gets mad and pees on my bed. I walk her in the morning, and then make sure she has a few bones, food,etc. and I leave the radio on.
I have had as many as three dogs at one time, all kept indoors and never, ever crated.
If you take the dogs out for eliminations just before you leave, they should be able to hold out, unless they have health problems.
For example, I put my Bulldog out every night around 10 PM and, even though I am with him all the time and make many offers, he refuses to go outside in the morning until after he has his breakfast, and even then I have to practically drag him out. That is usually twelve hours or more.
I would much rather keep the dogs fenced in a laundry room or kitchen or any uncarpeted area than in a crate.
Godspeed and blessings for your kindness to these orphaned dogs.
Sorry about that misplaced ping and thank you for redirecting to Jocko. Must not have had enough coffee yet when I hit 'post reply.'
Can you put at gate at the kitchen or laundry room to keep them confined to 1 room?
My neighbors have a doggie door going into their laundry room that their dogs use and they are happy with it.
Eleven hours, IMO, is way too long to be crated. Good luck with them!
thanks for the input.
I AM A DOG PERSON. Very much a dog person.
My commute is so long that I won't be home during the day; I could hire the neighbor kids to check on them though.
Cyborg, thanks for the link to the doggie pshrink. I am attached to these dogs and will try my best to give them a good decent life, full of love and healthy stuff.
Thanks to all.
Hire them to take the dogs for a walk. Dogs need exercise to stay healthy. Plus, it will break up their day, give them some human contact, and allow them to do their business. (Take note if your community has a poopy-scoop law. Have the kids take a plastic grocery bag and pick up the leavings.)
11 hours is way too long. There are services that will come to the house and let your dogs out during the day. Also check with an at-home neighbor or student.
Just thought of something else. We have dog day care here where you take your dogs to a place and they are cared for during the day. They get to play with other dogs and be otherwise amused.
Not sure how much it costs but it was just a thought ~ enjoy your new pets!
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