Alenee Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 I've cleared my schedule through January with the exception of tomorrow (got a puppy sitter) and Sundays. We're usually gone for about four hours, possibly five. We're crate training but 5 hours seems like a long time for a 9-15 week old puppy. Should I just diligently train during the week and hope for the best? What are some of my options? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Our puppy is only about 16 weeks and it's our first dog ever, so I'm no expert, but she was able to go 4-5 hours when we first got her at 8 weeks. I would think every puppy is different, though. Is there a neighbor who could come over and take the puppy out when you're gone for an extended time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 I've cleared my schedule through January with the exception of tomorrow (got a puppy sitter) and Sundays. We're usually gone for about four hours, possibly five. We're crate training but 5 hours seems like a long time for a 9-15 week old puppy. Should I just diligently train during the week and hope for the best? What are some of my options? Can you gate him into an empty bathroom? A bathroom is the easiest room to clear out, but he'd still have more space than a crate. Accidents would be easier to clean up too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Can you gate him into an empty bathroom? A bathroom is the easiest room to clear out, but he'd still have more space than a crate. Accidents would be easier to clean up too. Just a warning-we put our puppy in the bathroom when we first got him, and he clawed a nice sized chunk out of the bathroom door. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Can you put the crate opened in the backyard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 We're on unfenced acreage. There is a possibility that dh can build puppy an outdoor area between now and January when we start co-op again. Considering the bathroom idea for Sundays. We're practicing the indoor kennel right now and staying out of that area for short periods so he can get used to being alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 By January your puppy may be able to hold it for 4-5 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 By January your puppy may be able to hold it for 4-5 hours. I'm thinking he should. He went four hours last night. I put a mattress in the living room and slept next to his crate. From 1:30am- 5:30am, he was quiet and didn't soil his crate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 YAY, PUPPY! Make sure you don't get him to rely on your presence. Gradually move the mattress away until you're in the next room. His littermates slept snuggled up with him, so he's used to companionship. He'll get used to going to sleep by himself, so don't worry about him feeling abandoned! astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom25girls Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Our new puppy is 11 weeks old. He sleeps for 10-11 hours at night without a potty break! We haven't left him for more than 4 hours crated (during the day)and he's been fine. I've noticed that over the past few weeks, his ability to control his bladder is improving ( we used to take him out every 20 minutes, he can easily go 30 minutes now.... When he's inclined:tongue_smilie:). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_midori Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Be careful about using the bathroom as an "allowable" place to go. It might be nice for an occasional place to leave puppy where he might have an accident and it would be easier to clean, but you don't want him to think that it is a perfectly acceptable place (which it might turn into if he stays in there a lot and uses it periodically). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 YAY, PUPPY! Make sure you don't get him to rely on your presence. Gradually move the mattress away until you're in the next room. His littermates slept snuggled up with him, so he's used to companionship. He'll get used to going to sleep by himself, so don't worry about him feeling abandoned! astrid What?? I usually agree with you, but unless you're nervous about a dominance issue, I don't understand this. I slept with my sweetie in his crate... in his room... and only moved it into a room off the hall... because our room needed the space. But, I love to just pop our puppy (all 70 lbs) into the van and take him around with us. He wouldn't know what to do if he was treated like a dog :) PS, if I was leaving him, I'd do it in the crate so there were no accidents. Better to not get in the habit of leaving accidents :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 What?? I usually agree with you, but unless you're nervous about a dominance issue, I don't understand this. I slept with my sweetie in his crate... in his room... and only moved it into a room off the hall... because our room needed the space.But, I love to just pop our puppy (all 70 lbs) into the van and take him around with us. He wouldn't know what to do if he was treated like a dog :) PS, if I was leaving him, I'd do it in the crate so there were no accidents. Better to not get in the habit of leaving accidents :( I can see her point as in, I wanted a dog, not a new baby. ;) Once he's house trained, he'll be allowed to sleep in my room on the floor if he wants. I don't think the sleeping is going to be an issue though. In fact, he's been asleep in his crate for an hour now and hasn't had a problem unless I walk by but then he settles himself quickly. I'm planning to get him out in a minute to take him outside, then I'm headed to my own bed tonight. We'll see how this goes! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joules Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 The most helpful house training tip about leaving a puppy a long time came from my vet. I'm assuming it's true. It worked for me. We had to leave for several hours like you once the pup was crate-trained. He stayed in his crate fine and then really had to go when we got home. But then 15 minutes later, he'd pee in the house (usually while I was trying to get the car unloaded and put things away.) I thought he was mad at me. When we saw the vet, he said that once the bladder is full, the kidneys slow down. Once the pup is able to pee, the kidneys crank up again and they really do have to pee again 15 minutes later. So he recommended staying out on the leash longer when I got home or taking him back out in 15 minutes. Worked like a charm and with every dog since. They often need to do the exact same thing in the morning after a long night's sleep. I just thought I'd mention it, because it's something I wish I'd known years earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 (edited) What?? I usually agree with you, but unless you're nervous about a dominance issue, I don't understand this. I slept with my sweetie in his crate... in his room... and only moved it into a room off the hall... because our room needed the space.But, I love to just pop our puppy (all 70 lbs) into the van and take him around with us. He wouldn't know what to do if he was treated like a dog :) PS, if I was leaving him, I'd do it in the crate so there were no accidents. Better to not get in the habit of leaving accidents :( Now see, I'm a firm believer that dogs should be treated (mostly) as a dog. It's what they understand, the language they speak. It's where they're most comfortable. I'm kind of not sure what you're talking about in the rest of your post, as we take our dogs everywhere with us too. They spend all day with us, and go places in the car with us. But I do not want to be bothered by them at night. Everyone has a place to sleep, including us. We didn't do "family bed" with dd and we don't do it with the dogs. Alenee has a German Shepherd puppy who will grow to be close to 80 lbs, most likely. If he learns that sleep time = mom time, it's quite possible he will not learn to settle at night without the familiar presence of Mom next to him. Remember, he just left the familiar, round-the-clock presence of mom and littermates. BUT, he transitioned into the comforting night time presences of the OP. And if she's sleeping next to him, then suddenly stops, that can be hard, and result in lots of shrieking long into the night. Dogs need to learn to be independent. They need to develop confidence that they are okay in their world and don't need to hide behind mom's skirts or be picked up. Unless she wants this 80 lb. adult male German Shepherd to sleep between she and her dh in bed, I suggested she wean him from the constant presence. But that's just my opinion. YMMV. astrid Edited December 12, 2011 by astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 When we saw the vet, he said that once the bladder is full, the kidneys slow down. Once the pup is able to pee, the kidneys crank up again and they really do have to pee again 15 minutes later. So he recommended staying out on the leash longer when I got home or taking him back out in 15 minutes. Worked like a charm and with every dog since. They often need to do the exact same thing in the morning after a long night's sleep. I just thought I'd mention it, because it's something I wish I'd known years earlier. YES. THIS. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Awww Astrid :) I see..... we differ on children... I mean dogs :) My 8 year old would still choose to sleep with us every night :) He only gets to occasionally. I do treat my dog like.... a dog.... :) Kinda of ;) I know you're great with your animals... I was mostly just teasing you :) I read what you say about your pups... I wish that I took the time to do more training with him; he would like that.... I'm sure your dogs are treated great! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eric8x Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I would think every puppy is different:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooooom Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 if we needed to be out longer than they could wait. 1 hour per month old is the general rule of thumb. Put the crate in your car, and take a break in the middle of your time out to walk him for a few minutes. Maybe you can eve get some socializing in if you are with a group. Getting a puppy out into public early is also very important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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