Miina's been a bad girl...

[Schape]

Oh boy, I don't know if I wanna go home today after work...

My boyfriend called me this morning to work, he was in a very bad mood and told me that my puppy Miina has been a very naughty girl. She had chewed/scratched the carpet upstairs close to our bedroom door and now the carpet looks pretty horrible. I hope it's something we can fix, because we are renting the place and I don't think our landlord likes destroyed carpet...

My boyfriend didn't have any pets before he started dating with me and now I have 2 cats and a dog. He quite doesn't seem to understand that sometimes puppies chew and destroy things, poo and pee on the floor and can be quite wild. So he gets all annoyed and upset with me

Miina started teething few days ago and I think this is the reason she cheded the carpet. Also, ever since she starte teething she hasn't been sleeping well. She sleeps in a crate in our bedroom and because she doesn't sleep well she keep us awake as well. And of course not getting enough sleep is making my boyfirend even more annoyed...

I better go and buy a babygate so I can block Miina's access to upstairs when we are not at home. I don't think my boyfriend will take another carpet-chewing episode from Miina...

[Becki]

I'm so sorry, I know exactly what you're going through...no fun at all! I hope mina grows out of it soon!

[glidertales]

I am sorry about Miina scratching the carpet. I am a big beliver of using crates. Would it be possible to keep her in the crate while you are away? Puppy teething can cause lots of problems, but you gotta love them.

[Bar B]

Crates are HIGHLY advisable with my breed as well. I have had carpet ripped up from one end of the house to the other as well as HUGE holes in sheetrock when they escaped from their crates. Just give plenty of chew toys and try to keep the puppy awake until time to go to bed. That might help it sleep all night. They are much like children...

[Schape]

Miina is alone at home about 8 hours when my boyfriend and I are working and I think it's a way too long time to be locked in a crate. Couple of hours, sure, but a full working day, big NO.

I bought a babygate yesterday and we blocked the staircase so she can't get to upstairs anymore (that's where we have the carpet).

[Deja]

Schape, you are correct when you say that 8 hours is too long to be confined in a crate- especially if you have a young pup.

Your pup can safely be confined in a crate an hour for every month of age- (this is roughly based on how long they can control their bladder, but doesn't take into account the breed and size differences among pups- it can be used roughly as a starting point).

That said- I am a firm believer in crate training. It not only keeps your puppy safe when you can't have your eyes on her, it gives her a life-long safe place. Crate training can tremendously shorten the time it takes to house break a pup. They learn the crate is *their* place and will eventually go in on their own for naps or to relax with a good chew toy It's a stress reducer when traveling and especially when going to the vet. If your pup is used to being in a crate should you ever need to hospitalize her or board her she won't be nearly as stressed out as she'll be used to feeling *safe* in a small confined space.

During extended periods, such as the eight or more hour work day I agree that the pup should not be confined to the crate.
What I do advocate is setting up an ex-pen, or similar home-made area of confinement.

The ex-pen should be placed on an easy to clean floor and be large enough to place the crate(with the door tied open), a few toys, things to chew and keep her busy, and enough room for the pup to come out of the crate, but not run around in. If you are feeding on a schedule the pup can be given a bowl of water and when you are home can be fed her meals in this area. By feeding her in the ex-pen she learns to keep her "place" free of messes. If she happens to have an accident chances are it won't be in the crate and will be easy to clean up. As she matures and gains more control you can start making the area larger.

You will always know your pup is safe in the house when you are away and your house will be safe from your pup!


Good Luck

[Schape]

Good tips Deja! Thanks.

We have a crate for Miina, she sleeps there every night and I think she sleeps there also when we are not at home.

Yesterday I went to a petshop and bought quite few new chewing toys for Miina. She has lots of toys, but now I was specifically looking for toys that help her while she's teething. She was a very happy puppy last night chewing her new toys

[Bar B]

You are right about 8 hours being to long for crateing but in some cases (if no other alternative) better to crate than to have total destruction when you get home. I have found that with my babies they sleep most of the time while I am gone to work anyways but are very ready to go potty once I get home. Zeus is usually the same place I left him after 9 and a half hours but he is on the lazy boy not in a crate. He has gotten passed his destructive stage, THANK GOODNESS!