I need some puppy advice!?

Question

I have a new puppy. But I am worried about him being home alone for 8 hours in his crate. I am just wondering how your puppy was when he was first home alone.

Answer 1

8 hours is way, way too long to leave a puppy in its crate.  Sounds like somebody didn't do their homework before picking up a dog.

Answer 2

Don't leave him in the crate for 8 hours. If you have to leave him for 8 hours, then put him in a fenced place big enough for him to play. You can put newspaper down so he can do his thing there. But really, you should not leave a puppy alone for 8 hours. Most puppies have seperation anxiety. Take him to a doggie day care or have a friend or neighbor help you out. When he's an adult (9 months old) then you might be able to leave him for awhile but maybe not 8 hours.

Answer 3

A young puppy can not hold it for 8 hours. If you leave him in a crate for that long, you WILL come home to a mess in his crate. You WILL have to bathe him because he will be forced to lay/sit in his own waste. The general rule of thumb is that the number of hours puppies can hold it for is the number of months old they are +1. So, a 2 month old puppy can hold it for 3 hours max. A 3 month old puppy can hold it for 4 hours max. etc.

If he must be left alone for 8 hours, I would recommend you use baby gates to gate off an area of your house for him to be in. This could be a bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. Just be sure it's easy to clean if the puppy should have an accident on the floor. Put his crate, some toys, food, and water in there. You may want to consider training your puppy to puppy pads while you're away. I also recommend you get someone to come over and watch him for a few hours. Puppies need a lot of attention. Have someone come over and let your puppy use the bathroom a few times while you're gone and play with your puppy.

My dog goes nuts when we leave the house. He has a bit of separation anxiety. He'll whine and bark in a very high pitch when we leave. He has always been like this. After a while, he'll calm down and is a good boy until we get home. If no one takes him out, he'll use puppy pads. When no one is home, he uses the pads. It works out well.

Answer 4

Don't do that! Can you hold your pee for 8 hours?

Answer 5

you shouldn't leave your puppy for that long.  you need someone to come and let him out at least every 3hrs.    it not fair on any dog especally a puppy to be shut up for any length of time.

Answer 6

You may what someone that your puppy knows. Came a let him out twice in that 8hr. (once) 6 hr. period when your not home. For about 30 mins each time. To potty and play. In that order. Other wise your puppy would just play and not "go".

Also put some toys that are puppy safe in the crate, and rub them in your hands. Rubing the toys in your hands would leave your scent, that will make your puppy a little more secure. You can also leave some soft music on in the room the your puppy's crate is. It worked on my dog, the I got form a animal shelter last and she was  4 years old. One most thing, no dramatic goodbye, please. It'll scare your puppy, in to thinking your leaving forever. Just say bye once. After your put him in the crate. and leave the room. Ignore all barks and yelps. You can practice this technique too when your home. The longer he's quiet the more you praise. Even if it five mins.      

You my also want to look up some things about dogs too. I recommend The Dog Bible by Tracie Hotcher. Its a giving. I have a 5 year old GSD/ husky. It has everything form how pick a puppy (of witch you already have), to training, behavior problems, do's and don'ts, everything. Enjoy your puppy! :)    

Answer 7

it will pee & p**p everywere in the crate.  

Answer 8

8 hours is way too long ...if you dont have enough time for a puppy you shouldnt get one

Answer 9

A young puppy can't be left home alone in a crate for 8 hours because they don't have the bladder control for one thing.  For another, young puppies can't take the feeling of abandonment from being alone and confined for long periods of time like that.  They need time spent with their people, they need training and socializing, lots of it and they don't get any of that being stuck in a crate for 8 hours during the day, then again all night long.

You need to make some better arrangements for your puppy.  Either doggie day care or someone to come in to let this puppy out for bathroom time and play and socializing time.

Answer 10

Okay. You should not do that. If it comes to this you should get puppy pee pads. It teaches your dog that they can pee on them.

Answer 11

never leave a puppy in a crate for 8 hours!!

Answer 12

thats probably because he shouldnt be left home alone in a crate for 8 hours.

its bladder can only hold it for 2 hours.

Answer 13

This is true. A puppy cannot hold his bladder for 8 hours. And the previous contributors are right. The best thing would be for you to arrange some kind of care for your puppy during the day. However, I have been in the same situation as you and this is what I did: Instead of a crate, I got a puppy playpen, and adjusted the size of it so that it was about twice as big as a crate. I left him a little food and water, and put down pee pads in one end of the crate. also, I left plenty of chew toys, a nice soft bed, and some of the clothing that I had been wearing. When I would come home everyday, there was definitely a lot more mess to clean up, but at least I knew that the puppy was not having to lie in his pee and he had toys to play with and food and water and clothing that reminded him of me so that he wouldn't feel so lonely. It worked out, and as soon as he got old enough to hold it longer, I got him a crate and it works great. He turned out absolutely fine.