srry for all the threads everywhere

[Want a Doberman]

But here's another. Do all of you, even those with BIG dogs, leave your dogs out of the cage when you go somewhere? I've never liked the idea of keeping a dog in a cage when I leave, and we never have. Or do some of you have doggy doors, and a fenced yard, and let them come in and out of the house as they please while you're away for a few hours?

[fireworksinjuly]

If the cage is big enough he will love it. I didnt think Id like crating my dog, but it turns out he LOVES it. Its his own space that only he can occupy. Its his home. We call it his "bed", every night when hes tired he goes in there- usually with out being told.

Doggy doors arnt safe in my oppinion. If he gets out and lost he could be gone for good, even if it is fenced. Something else could get in the yard and hurt him. Fences are NOT fool proof. There is always the possibility of a dog getting out, another animal or person getting in, the fence colapsing, etc. Especially with a large dog like a dane- Jumping it would be cake to him.

[Want a Doberman]

yea, well, say the dog really hates the cage though, would you feel OK with leaving your dog loose in the house while you were away for alittle while? Also to add, if he was potty trained well and everything? And could somebody specify with puppies? Would you cage them as puppies, and once they are potty trained, gradually let them out free when you leave? I had a theory for doing that. If I wanted to gradually let the puppy get used to me leaving, and him being out of his cage, I was thinking, I could let him out, and then just walk down the street for a few minutes, and then a few times a day, gradually keep increasing the length of time you leave for, so he learns that you are coming back, but it's OK when you leave. Does this sounds reasonable? I didn't want to start yet another thread specifically on that in the puppy thread, cuz I've been a member for like a day, and already made like 5 threads, lol.

[fireworksinjuly]

Originally Posted by Want a Doberman

yea, well, say the dog really hates the cage though, would you feel OK with leaving your dog loose in the house while you were away for alittle while? Also to add, if he was potty trained well and everything? And could somebody specify with puppies? Would you cage them as puppies, and once they are potty trained, gradually let them out free when you leave? I had a theory for doing that. If I wanted to gradually let the puppy get used to me leaving, and him being out of his cage, I was thinking, I could let him out, and then just walk down the street for a few minutes, and then a few times a day, gradually keep increasing the length of time you leave for, so he learns that you are coming back, but it's OK when you leave. Does this sounds reasonable? I didn't want to start yet another thread specifically on that in the puppy thread, cuz I've been a member for like a day, and already made like 5 threads, lol.

Yes crate as a puppy! If you dont start right away then he will hate it as he gets older.

Yes If you feel you must allow him to roam the house then do it gradually. Gradually increasing how much freedom hes allowed to have.

My one dog is allowed lose in the house, my Bulldog who is crate trained is not allowed lose, and most likely never will be for any long periods.

Both dogs are fully potty trained. They are different dogs, trained and brought up differently so I had to adjust the crate aspect differently. My Sammy was stuck in a crate from the day he was born till I took him home at 4 months- he dispises small spaces. He cant even go in the bathroom with the door closed with out spazing out. This was due to his experiances before we got him. My bulldog was being crate trained when we brought him home. He however was allwed out of his crate and it was used as a tool not a disposal.

To the very first part about if he really hates it. If you get him as a puppy and start him on it right away he wont hate it. But say for whatever reason he does (Hes older, he had a bad experaince, etc). Depending on the dog something might need to be worked out. If hes not potty trained, or hes distructive he will need some sort of barier. For his safty hell need to be kept safe somehow. If its not a crate then try confining him into one 100% puppy proofed room.

If he is reliable, non distructive and potty trained then it might be acceptable to allow him to free roam.

We used the confining method with my samoyed until he was responasable enough to allow him to roam. We currently still keep the Bulldog in his crate when were gone for a long time.