Kennel all day?

[Nancy Sunderland]

Hi, I have a topic to bring up that I'm afraid might touch a few nerves, but I would like to have some feedback and friendly discussion nonetheless. When I started telling people we were getting an ALD puppy, half of the people were rude and judgmental--saying, "What are you thinking? Are you crazy?" referring to two things; the cost ($2500 + shipping) and to the work involved (I have 4 young daughters and two other big labs). Many told me horror stories about their most recent puppy experiences, and all the things that got ruined; carpet, shoes, furniture, etc., One young couple in particular, (DINKS--dual income, no kids), had a golden retriever puppy that was a disaster behaviorally and property-destruction wise for about 7 months. BUT the dog is in a kennel 9+ hours a day...

Ok, here it comes.... I personnally don't think it's fair to get a dog, then put it in a kennel all day; M-F. I would tear s*#@ up too if I was cooped up so much. I'm a stay at home mom, (I have a BS Business degree with a minor in human development & family studies, but chose to stay home after a few failed attempts at part time work. I finally discovered that God and my family were calling me home--but that;s another topic), and I am interacting with my dogs all day long. For example, when I'm pushing the kids in the swings, I am usually also brushing the labs with the undercoat rake, or curry comb. When I take a walk, I look like a dog walker with my double stroller. But it's fun, for me, my kids, and my dogs.

I'm going to try really hard not to sound judgmental here, but I'm going to apologize in advance if it comes across that way; I don't understand why people get dogs that they don't have time for? I just read over the re-homing discussion about helping members who might be on the fence, and it got me thinking about this issue. I'm really not trying to upset anyone, I know everyone has their own circumstances, I just wanted to put my two cents out there. Please don't get mad at me and post angry comments, (I WILL cry...)

I hope that my post has been tactful and non-judgmental, as that was my aim.

[Adina P]

I think you'll find most people agree with you, me included. A pup definitely needs more chance to expend energy than they will get if they are crated for 9 hours a day.

On the other hand sometimes at some point in the 15 years of dog ownership life gets busy and some people have no choice but to kennel their dogs for 9 hours. Or maybe they spend a ton of time with the dog after work...? I know at one point, when Clark was single, our border collie would stay home for 9 hours maybe more. But by then she could handle holding her potty and he'd ensure she got a good game of frisbee every single night. It's what had to be done.

That said...I still would want MOST people to NOT get a dog if they knew for a fact they couldn't provide a way for it to get out for 9 hours during the day.

[Nancy Sunderland]

Thank you so much for your response, I was so afraid I was going to get berated... oops, I guess that still could happen, LOL...Please enjoy the pic of my 14 month old and Sable in the background, hoping it will lighten the mood of my topic!

[Debbie and Thomas]

No argument here. My son lives in a loft in downtown Toronto and he desperately wants a dog. I have told him my opinion on this subject-imagine trying to train a puppy in a condo on the 11th floor?? Taking him out every 15-20 minutes to go potty etc would be so hard on both of them. Having said that though-his building is full of yuppies with every kind of dog imaginable and there is a wonderful dog park 1 blk away. Also- he tells me that there are many breeds that could cope better in this kind of environment; like a pug for example-a low energy dog that is happy to lie around all day or now since he was in Paris this summer he is looking at a French bull dog. Still- I waited until my kids were old enuf to help out with our late dog Buddy and as I worked from home and was in sales-I could plan my appts around the children and dogs schedule. Some people seem to cope though and their dogs seem happy and loved with the attention they get after work. It was just something that I could not do-I would worry to much.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

When I saw the title of this discussion, I was actually afraid that it was going to be someone saying that they did crate their dog all day and asking for opinions. I think you're pretty safe with this one.
Abby & Kaela's mom posted a discussion about her thoughts on the proper use of a crate not too long ago, and most of the responses agreed that puppies should not be left in crates for long periods of time, and certainly not all day.
But I did have well-trained adult dogs who were left alone with the run of the house during many periods of my life.They were smaller breeds who could get a certain amount of exercise running around the house, and it worked out fine. I think it depends on the age & breed of dog, and the amount of attention & exercise they get when you are home that makes the difference with adult dogs. It would never have worked as well with a big hunting dog.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I havent read the responses yet but I am sure they would agree with you as do I. If you dont have time to be with your dog you really shouldnt have a dog. I dont crate my dogs except as puppies they sleep in the crate beside my bed just to stop them from wandering around and peeing at night. If I have to leave home I block them in an area with all their stuff and a treat to occupy them (such as the kitchen/nook/ with a portable gate system. Now it is the whole kitchen/nook/family room area with the backdoor open so they can come and go as they please into the yard.)

I have personally strongly felt that a daytime maximum of being in the crate is about 2-3 hours. So I would not crate my dog while I worked. I would dish out the money for a doggy daycare. Or leave the dog uncrated in an area of the house that is suitable (not a tiny bathroom or laundry room either) and have a dogwalker come in halfway through.

[Adina P]

Maybe we should duke it out in the Debate Club :-O --- mwwwaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaa

But I think it's fine to crate for longer periods than 2-3 hours provided the dog in question is capable of holding it's bladder and bowels for that period. The reason I think so is that my dogs spend their days napping. Unless they run to the window to bark at something, they pretty much laze around during the day. My dogs don't watch tv, read newspapers, clip coupons, dust, mop, vacuum, or play cards when I'm at home. And I'm pretty sure that if I were to set up a video camera I'd have footage of dogs napping almost the entire time (mine are uncrated and Clark works at home so it's not an issue...but there are days we have left them during the day for 4-6 hours and I think they could make it to 8 depending on the circumstances). A nap in a crate is not so different than a nap anywhere else.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

"My dogs don't watch tv, read newspapers, clip coupons, dust, mop, vacuum, or play cards when I'm at home"

That is ridiculous! Of course they don't do those things! They are dogs!

Mine crochet, garden, redecorate the house!

And I am not joking either.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Many dogs like to redecorate the house...it seems to be their chosen profession. They are especially talented in accessorizing with toilet paper, re-texturizing upholstery, and adding decorative patterns to carpets and floors. Also, that popular decorating look often referred to as "bringing the outdoors into your home".

[April Cliber]

LOL Karen!

[Leslie and Halas]

I agree. Halas loves to steal underwear and run around the house with them, so lets not forget the power of "underwear as a household decorative item." It adds life and interest to an otherwise boring living room.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Charli loves to nap on the tile shower floor. Her new paw in decorating is the grab Daddy's luffah puff and shred the dickens out of it!! I laughed, Daddy, not so much! And that is with us home. She is a sneak and thief.
As I write this, DH just came out the patio door hollering 'give me back my shoe'!! Timing is everything!!
So not only is Charli a dreck-orator, she is a shoe designer!!

[Adina P]

LMAO... The most mine ever attempt to do is shake the rugs out and try to remove the fresh carpet smell from my dining room area.