Many people who purchased dogs during the lockdown are now required to return to work as the pandemic is winding down and society is returning to normal.
What should you do with your pet while you’re gone? Is it cruel to confine dogs to crates while they’re at work? Can you leave a dog in a crate while you’re at work?
Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of crate training your dog before you leave for work by reading this article.
Risks for Dogs that are Crated At Home
There are risks your taking in putting your dog in a crate for 5 hours, or 6 hours, or 24 hours one end. In addition there are risk of putting your dog in a kennel for long periods of time as well. Here are some risks associated with crating your dog.
Crating your dog results in extended periods of loneliness, mental anguish, and emotional suffering, while social settings have their own risks to take into account. To arrange a doggie play date if your dog is suffering from severe isolation, get in touch with our team right away.
In the end, you need to get to know your puppy, keep an eye on their behavior, and over the course of a few weeks, determine what their personal limit is.
Dogs that are overly energetic benefit greatly from crates because you can easily calm them down. Most dogs will instantly calm down when placed in a crate, making them much more receptive to your training.
When you crate your puppy, you should err on the side of “too little” time in the crate because puppies have a harder time holding their bladders than their more mature counterparts. There are conflicting views on the precise duration, but according to information from the Human Society, puppies under six months old shouldn’t be confined for more than three to four hours at a time.
Additionally, if you keep your dog in the crate for too long, they might grow to dislike it. This implies that it will be challenging to get them inside, they won’t feel at ease and calm, and they risk developing aggression issues or, worse yet, health issues while they are confined.
It cannot be emphasized enough that excessive use of your dog’s crate reduces its value as a tool for training. For instance, having an accident in your dog’s crate might cause them to do so more frequently elsewhere. This means that there are no places where you can leave your dog without running the risk of an accident.
Can I Crate My Dog While At Work?
Dogs are naturally dening animals who prefer to have a private, safe area to retreat to.
Keep an eye on your pet; you’ll probably catch him sneaking behind your couch, under a table, or even into a kitchen cupboard. Your pet is acting normally and looking for a comfortable den to sleep in; there is nothing wrong with him.
By giving your dog a well-equipped crate, you’re giving him the ideal den!
Crate training your dog has a lot of advantages for pet owners, including:
Most dogs can tolerate brief periods of crate confinement, and many puppies enter their crates on their own without the owner’s assistance. However, there are some restrictions to be aware of when crate training your dog.
You should never use a crate for punishment. Your dog’s crate is his special safe place. Your dog will start to quickly develop resentment for the crate if you confine him to it as punishment or for a prolonged period of time.
Ideally, you shouldn’t kennel your dog for more than a few hours at a time. Confining your dog for a long time can be stressful for your furry friend and encourage behavioral problems like barking and chewing. Your dog should associate his crate with relaxation.
The last thing you want is for your dog to start having crate phobias as that can result in challenging behavior.
FAQ
Is it OK to leave my dog in a kennel all day?
Don’t leave your dog in the crate too long. Because they don’t get enough exercise or human interaction, dogs kept in crates all day and night may develop depression or anxiety.
Can I kennel my dog for 12 hours?
The short answer is no, a dog shouldn’t be crated for 12 hours a day, even though he can sleep through the night in one.
How long is too long for a dog to be in a kennel per day?
All dogs, even mature dogs, should be crated for no longer than nine hours at a time. Too much time spent crating a puppy during the day can result in separation anxiety or crate accidents. Stress, anxiety, and health problems like UTIs are made more likely as a result.
What happens if a dog stays in kennel too long?
Additionally, if you keep your dog in the crate for too long, they might grow to dislike it. This implies that it will be challenging to get them inside, they won’t feel at ease and calm, and they risk developing aggression issues or, worse yet, health issues while they are confined.