Puppy question about crating?

Don't leave a puppy crated for 10 hours at a time. That will only teach him to poop/pee in his crate, which will undo everything you're trying to teach him.

Look in your yellow pages under "pet sitting". There will probably be someone who you can hire (mine charges $10 a visit) who will come over once a day (or however often you need them) at a specified time to play with the pup and let him do his business.

If you can't do that, crating him is not the answer. You need to find an area of your home or apartment with hard flooring (kitchen, etc). Buy baby gates to block off that area. Put newspaper on the floor to encourage him to "do his business" on the paper and keep him confined to that room with fresh water and toys while you are gone.

Definitely the best option, if you can swing it, is to find someone to doggie sit, or at least be able to come by every couple of hours to let the little guy out.

You don't want him to potty in his crate at all. They won't go in the crate, where they sleep, normally, but a little puppy simply can't hold the water and other things for that amount of time what so ever.

If no one is available to help you out, and since a puppy really needs to go out about every half hour or so, depending on his age, that may be hard to have someone stop by that often, then I too would suggest gating him into an area where you have no carpet, he'll have some space to move about, and you have room for puppy pads. Having a larger crate to give him "space to go" is not a good idea as you don't want him in the habit of thinking that's okay to do. It kind of hurts the idea of crate training.

I hope you can find a doggie sitter tho, cuz being unattended for 10 hours can sure be lonely for a puppy. Good luck.

Crate training is not mean, and is usually good for puppies. Often when they are older if you leave the crate out, they will use it as their own personal space. A smaller crate works better to discourage going potty as dogs don't usually like to sit in their, uh, you know. Some shredded newspapers are good, because the nasty stuff will sink to the bottom and keep him cleaner. Ten hours is a little long to keep him in there without going potty, but know that he will need to go about 8 hours without going when you are sleeping, etc. Working his feeding schedule so he will go when you are home is a good idea...this is trial and error so you will have to figure it out. Getting someone to let him out would be optimal but isn't always possible. Don't feel bad- just do your best and be ready to give him quite a few baths. Looking up crate training for tips is probably a really good idea, and getting him into a routine so he knows what to expect and what is expected of him will set him at ease. And remember, dogs are smarter than we usually give them credit for.

If you or someone else were there with the puppy to let it out to potty after waking from a nap and after eating/drinking you could leave the divider in the 1/2 position. Ten hours is a long time. As an adult dog it may be able to hold it... but that amount of time locked in a crate... a puppy will not be able to hold it. Move the divider, give the pup more room and get some "pooch pads" (wee-wee pads) The ideal solution is to get someone to let the pup out...

Don't let the pup go in the crate. He will begin to think it is acceptable and then crating him is pointless. Crating him for 10 hours at a time is just cruel. Is there any way you could keep him in the crate in your car and go out on your breaks to feed him and let him out? Not the best option but better than leaving the poor thing locked up for that long. And with the weather getting colder you won't have to worry about the heat. Otherwise, if you don't have time for the poor thing you should find him a home with people who do have time for him.

Definitely do not allow him/her to use crate as a potty. That defeats the total purpose. If you must leave him/her for a long period of time, lock him/her in a small room (bathroom) and place a puppy pad down and some water (small amount). Then don't scold him if he misses, actually wipe up the pee on the pad and leave it. he will get used to peeing on the pad since it smells like the place to go and then you will be part of the way to training him for housetraining.

The poor puppy! 10 hours is way too long to go alone at his age! This is a BABY! He needs supervision, attention, socialization and love! Not to mention exercise! Letting him "go" in his crate is so cruel! How would you like to be in a cell for ten hours smelling your own excrement..oh and stepping in it and smooshing it all over the place!? Gross! Bring the poor dog to a doggy day care center the days you can't be with it! Come on, you decided to get the poor baby, so now you need to take responsible care of it! It is still a baby and babies cannot be left alone for any length of time. What if he got his head stuck or swallowed a piece of bedding he finally chewed off? anything can and many times will happen...do not be a bad owner, pay for care if you can't give it directly...thank you! Hope you will see this in time to do the right thing....

If you want to potty train him than leave the divider in half way. or he might think it is ok to potty in his crate.Most dog's wont potty where they sleep. Do they have any pet setter's wher you live that would come and let him out for you..Or we have Doggie day care's here...you might want to think about that... 10 Hours aday in a crate is along time for a puppy.. good Luck!!!

if you can find a friend, or a place to take him so he won't be in his cage for that long...or set up a doggy "play pen" where is crate can be in but keep his crate open so he can walk out of it when he has to go potty...i would put newspapers down and some of the potty training pads for dogs...but i would strongly suggest finding someone even a neighbor kid that you could pay like 5 dollars to come let the dog out

I would suggest making it larger, that way if the puppy does go in the crate he will still have somewhere to lay that is clean. Around 5 or 6 months they begin to be able to hold their bladder better. I am crate training my puppy right now too. She is 5 months old now and can usually hold her bladder now all day on the days that I have to be away.