How long do you think Barkley can be left alone in a crate for?

[Alli and Barkley]

Barkley has only been left alone for about 20 minutes.  My preschooler has this thing at school that he wants me to go to (shooting off rockets they made) and I would love to go BUT it would mean leaving Barkley (8 weeks tomorrow) in a crate for about 2.5 hours in the middle of the day.  He enjoys his crate- sleeps there at night with minimal whining after potty breaks, but I have yet to play crate games, etc and get him to really love it and I don't want him to associate the crate with negative things and create separation anxiety in him

 

How long do you think a 8 week old puppy who has been home with us for almost a week can be left in a crate alone?  

 

 

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

I personally think he will be okay for that amount of time. It may even be good for him to start getting used to being crated and alone as there will be many times that this is necessary. I would just recommend that you tire him out before you leave and make sure he's recently gone potty. If you are concerned about separation anxiety, you can always try putting a dirty shirt of yours in there with him so he has your scent to comfort him. While mine aren't crated, I still either put the radio or tv on just so there is noise and that may be something else you can try. I definitely would not make a big deal out of the process or of saying goodbye to him or anything...they sense your worry.

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

The rule of thumb is age + 1 hour so at 2 months, he should be able to handle 3 hours in the crate.   As another member said, it may be good to start getting him use to the crate for longer periods of time - even when you are home.   Don't always associate the crate with you walking out the door.    If he falls asleep on the floor, place him in his crate so he can rest, otherwise he'll think he only goes in the crate when you are leaving.   Most naps are longer than 20 minutes for a puppy so you will probably get a good 1-2hours of crate time while you are there with him.   

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Totally agree - he should be just fine for a couple of hours. And think how excited your pre-schooler will be with your coming to his school to shoot off the rocket he made.

Give Barkley a treat when he goes into the crate, but don't make a big deal out of coming home. He'll learn to associate your leaving with a positive things. And that is good because you'll have dr's or dentist's appts before long and Barkley will have to be by himself for a few hours. Also, he will probably sleep most of the time you're gone. :-)

He is certainly a little precious. <3

[Alli and Barkley]

Thank you all- Always helpful as per usual :)

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

He should be fine. You should try to leave him an hour or two each day and build up as he gets older.  You never know when you need to leave them longer.

 

Make sure you aren't using a nice crate pad at this point. You may come home to pee/poop.  I used a towel until Peri could hold it longer (she only messed in her crate maybe 3 times and I work full time with breaks mid-day).

 

[Aimee Santa Monica]

Such a cute name, Barkley- love it!

I think Barkley will do just fine.  :)

When Storm was that age, he rested ALOT .

[Lori]

Barkley will be just fine...go see that little preschooler (these moments go TOO fast!!!)

Maybe put a kong with some peanut butter in his crate with him...

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I think she should be fine.

He sleeps there in night, so he will probably get confused and whine when he realizes you're not in bed too, but then will fall right asleep.

 

We leave Luna in an ex-pen with her crate in there, and when we come home she's almost always sleepily making her way out of the crate, even after we've been gone for 6-8 hours.  She's much older though (9 months).  At 8 weeks we did leave her alone for 4-6 hours, but her ex-pen also had a toilet area in it (newspaper - entertainment AND potty absorption!)

[Gayle Miller]

Hi Ali!  Just now checking in to your posts at "Puppy Madness"....and madness it is, isn't it??  Not yet having my pup, all the posts below are so helpful!  Especially the one with rule of thumb; age + 1 hr - I, too, am fortunate in being able to be home with our newest little addition, but life goes on and you do need to attend to things.  Especially, those most important school events with your children!  Enjoy!  Let us know how Barkely fairs!