Partial free run of the house when not home?

[Sharae & Winston]

I'm wondering when all of you started giving more freedom in the house to your puppy when you are not home to supervise. We currently baby gate Winston in the kitchen when we leave and he is left up to 4-6 hours at a time and is fine. I'm a little concerned because we moving and the way our new apt is set up, we won't be able to baby gate the kitchen. We basically have two options- gate the hallway and either give him run of the living/dining/kitchen area or the bedroom/ bathroom area. I don't feel like I can quite trust him yet as he still has an affection for chewing things especially blankets, rugs, bedding, pretty much anything soft. Case in point- we removed our kitchen rug when he was just a little pup because all he did was chew it. I thought he was past this stage so the other day I decided to put it back. Well I turned my back cooking for about 5 mins and he was back at it chewing the darn thing. I told him "NO" and replaced it with a chew toy 3 different times but eventually had to put it away again. Also worried that if he has access to carpet when hes by himself for periods of time he might pee since he is used to being confined on hardwood when were gone now. Anybody have any suggestions/ advice for this transition? Btw, Winston is 8 months now.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Aside from Calla and food, my dogs are totally trustworthy and have been for ages. I still crate them when I'm gone for more than a few minutes for two reasons. They restlessly await me at the door if not in their crates where they relax. And I feel more secure knowing just where they are and that they are safe.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I confine Roo and Tigger who are 5 and 6 to the laundry room which is their "crate" if I am going to be gone.  They feel safe there and go eagerly to their room.

 

I would confine your puppy to a puppy proofed bathroom, he will appreciated the small space you won't come home to a mess.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I had always thought that it wasn't a good idea to actually close the dog in a small room....that it was better to gate them so they could still see out (but they couldn't escape).  That's what I've always done with G & M.  I'm not even sure if this is valid or exactly where I heard it.  It sounds like your guys do just fine in the small laundry room.  Has anyone else ever heard of this...or is it "hokum"?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it has some validity for some dogs. I once did that with Luca when he was a puppy. Luckily I was home. In no time at all he had scratched the door and frame trying to get out. After that it's been crates with no problem.

[Star and Goldie]

The same thing happened with my first dog. I was a bit of a rookie and didn't have anything like DK out there to teach me any better. I tried the small bathroom for a crate and had to end up paying the landlord to replace the wooden door :(

I'm sure it just depends on the dog but I decided not to risk that again and it's crates a plenty in my house!

[Lynette Main]

Just last week,but I have three Doodles. They are like kids,one could think of something and the others would join in. That happened with a couch pillow when my husband was just out of the room.They are all THREE years old. I think it depends on the dogs. If I would have had just one it would have been sooner.

[Gail and Bailey]

I did not start leaving Bailey out of her crate (when we were away) until this past month and she will be 2 in July.  I slowly began letting her be in the house alone while I would be working on landscaping in the yard.  (Could not let her be with me because we are in the woods and there is no fence and too much for her to get in trouble with if I am not watching her 100% of the time outside)  Whenever I would check on her she was just sleeping on our bed.  I finally got up the nerve to actually get in the car and go somewhere and leave her out of the crate and each time I return she is sleeping on the bed.  I do make sure the door to my closet is closed (apparently my flip flops taste good) and I always give her a special treat as I leave.  

Could you set up a large pen in the kitchen area?  You could always get a very large crate and put it in the living area so he can see everything....OR... I think you could leave him in the bathroom if you gate the doorway and leave the door open!  With his bed and water in there with him he will feel cozy and secure.  

[Moe]

Mine has had free run of the house since she was 4 mo old. I think it depends on the dog and how much training you do. I started leaving her for 1/2 hour at a time when I went to run an errand. I gradually kept extending the time.

[Christine & Shelby]

Here is the timeline I used with my Doodle.   I am a single doodle mom with a full time job so getting Shelby to house freedom was important for me... and in my opinion more fair for her.  She is confident, knows our routine and has done great.  She is now 3 and half years old. 

At 5 months, I started letting her sleep outside the crate at night

At 6 months, I started experimenting with daytime freedom (when I am gone) for short amounts of time  (30 minutes - 1 hour)

At 7-8 months, I started leaving her out a few hours at a time.

At 10 months, I strated crating her only half days and sometimes out both in the morning and afternoon - but I would come home for lunch and check on Her.

At 1 year... she had full house freedom and was reliable.   I also had a dog door installed given my job is a bit unpredicatable and sometimes I get home later than expected.   I have a yard with a privacy fence and the gate is padlocked. 

Of course... every doodle and every situation is different, but this was my approach and it worked for us.  Let me know if you have any questions.

[Christine & Shelby]

Just to add... I know a lot of dogs love their crate - this was never the fact with Shelby - she would do in if I gave her command, but she never once went in without the command just to relax.  It's just she and I in the house so just about anywhere she hangs out is peaceful.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Libby chewed everything until she was about 16 to 18 mos. old.  We have crated her everytime we went anywhere and she was very happy in her crate.  We are just now giving her (she is 2) freedom when we leave the house.  At first she did not like being left out of the crate because when we came home she was depressed and sad.  I think the crate was her comfort zone when we were gone and she was confused why we left and did not put her in the crate.   She is much better now and seems to be happy when we leave her out. Although if we are going to be three hours or more, we do put her in the crate.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think my dogs feel secure in their crates when I am gone.