How long until Dog can be out of the kenel most of the time when we're home?

[Rick Smith]

We have a 6 1/2 month old Goldendoodle (Jake) and we take him out of the kenel throughout the day to play with him, train him, take him to potty, etc...

If we leave him out he goes all over the place...jumping on stuff, people, etc....being way to rowdy, chewing things, sometimes pottying in the house (although this is getting much better)..

So we have to keep a close eye on him when he is out of the kenel. We'd like to leave him out to hang out in the house during the day like our other (older) dogs....Is there a certain age when he is able to hang out in the house most of the day instead of being in the kenel? 

Any advice / feedback is welcome. Thanks!

[Carol and Banjo]

My goodness, it seems he should be out of his kennel nearly all the time by this age.   I don't think a dog needs (nor should have) full run of the house at this age...but he ought to be out of his kennel more than in it.    Is there a small area that you can fence off to keep in him a more confined area but where he can still be near/with his "people"?    I'm assuming the kennel you're referring to IS in the house.   ?

[Rick Smith]

LOL...I don't think so. We've spoken to several trainers who both suggest only letting him out when we can give him direct attention.....which is several times throughout the day. 

Otherwise there is a chance he will do self rewarding (negative) behavior and that is a huge no-no...

He likes his kennel, so it's not a bad thing for him to be there. 

[Carol and Banjo]

Another helpful tip is to keep your pup tethered to you.   There are many tips and suggestions here regarding tethering...if you do a search you should get some great ideas.

[Rick Smith]

That's basically what I'm doing now. I don't need to have him tethered to me as I am playing / training / hanging out with him during the times he is out of the kennel. When he is back in the kennel I'm doing other things, and wouldn't be able to have him tethered to me..

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

we did not give cooper free run of the house (and we still closed bedroom doors) til she was at least 9 months, even then should would occasionally get into trouble. before that we had her in a crate and expen so she still had room to play

[Rick Smith]

Great thoughts! Thanks...

By the way, is that stuffing on the floor from a tore up toy? If so our guy Jake goes through stuffed toys like they are paper bags! :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Stuffed toys may not be a good toy for Jake.

Stuffing gets lodged in the intestine  :(    Then this dog will be in the crate for many more months

Kongs, Elk Antlers, Chuck It toys may be a better answer.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Imagine if one of your children was kept in 1 bedroom in the house most of the day and given occassional breaks.  Don't you think that your kid would run around like crazy as soon as he was let out?  It is going to be the same thing for the puppy.  He has a LOT of energy right now and there is a whole house that needs to be explored.  I agree with you that it is important for your dog to get training, but he won't learn how to act in the house if he is always kept in his crate.  Carol mentioned tethering and I agree that it is a good idea.  Tether Jake to you when you wash dishes or fold laundry or play with your kids.  he will be out of his crate but won't be able to run around like crazy and you can correct any unwanted behavior as they occur but he will also be learning what behavior is appropriate. 

[Rick Smith]

I think you may have misunderstood my post. He isn't left in the crate "all day." He also doesn't super crazy every time he is out.

I was mainly asking what age people trust their dog to be all the time without constant supervision.

Also the dog is out and about sometimes when we are doing dishes, Etc. But as I said I have to keep a constant eye on him.

[Carol and Banjo]

Rick,  It's not easy to answer your question as every pup is different.    Sounds like your little guy has a lot more energy than Banjo did at that age.    It sounds like you're doing everything right and keeping him exercised and tired is the best thing you can do now.....this high energy will no doubt subside somewhat as he gets a little older....in the meantime, sounds like you'll be pretty busy!   ; -)     

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I thought that "If we leave him out he goes all over the place...jumping on stuff, people,  etc....being way to rowdy, chewing things, sometimes pottying in the house" meant that he got crazy when he was out especially since you were asking when you would be able to leave him out like your other dogs. 

Cubbie was only ever crated when we weren't home but we did get him at 4 months old.  If i was in the shower he was in there with me.  If I was cooking, I took him out to potty and then he was gated in the kitchen with me and I kept an eye on him while I cooked.  He was between a year and a year and a half when we left him uncrated while we were out of the house.  Of course each dog is different.

[Rick Smith]

LOL...thanks for the reply, but I think you and I handle our dog training differently. 

As much as I enjoy our doodle I will never be taking a shower with him. No offense, but seems a little strange.