Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 7:54 am Post subject: What age do I trust Humble again when we're out??
Humble is currently crated while we're out after he ate our sofa and the kitchen floor (long story if you've not heard it already!!) Just wanted some advice about when forumers think we can try leaving him out of the crate when we're out again without him causing any damage - he is 18 months old this month. Would like to get rid of the crate at some point on the future because I felt bad leaving him in one and bought one that was Newfoundland size and it takes up our whole living room .
Any advice or tips gratefully received as always xx
Sam's nearly 2 and he actually prefers going in his crate when we're out I tried leaving him in just one room instead and I could hear him from the end of the road, went back home put him in his crate and went out again, not a peep, came back there he was snoozing in the crate happy as anything, strange dog! He likes his crate so we're leaving it, just moved its location and he will still go there by himself if people come round who he doesn't like or if something's going on that he's not keen on, I guess he feels safe in his 'bedroom'! So no practical advice really other than I'd try a room that's fairly 'puppy proof' and give him a kong or safe toys and also either set up a spy cam or just go somewhere close like the end of the road, the local shop or whatever and see what happens then a bit longer and see, I wouldn't leave him with the sofa straight away given last time just in case he remembers what fun that was! Good luck.
Could you do it gradually Catherine? Just leave him for half hour first, and then up it to an hour and so and so. If you leave plenty of chew toys scattered round the room etc he may find them enough of a distraction. Or you may find he has just grown out of the chewing phase completely.
I know what you mean about the crates taking up all the room. Can't wait to get shot of ours too.
Let him go, I am absolutely certain, he will not do any wrong, having said that i wouldn't bet my own money on it.
I have always let my dogs have the total run of the house, even when pups and have found after the initial damage, they calm down and are less bored with a whole house to explore, so therefore don't go mental when left.
Humble looks totally trustworthy to me. (probably)
Gary and Toby.
Dont hold your breath Maple is 17 months old and has always been a chewer. I took her crate down two months ago because I thought she was old enough and she had the run of the kitchen diner.
I went literally across the road to the co-op after she had been out of the crate without incident for two weeks. Came back to find that the corner of the kitchen lino had disappeared, was in tiny chewed up pieces and she was sitting there with a smug expression on her face lol.
She had several bones, a kong, a nylabone ring (her favourite) and another dog for company, so back in the crate shes gone. She does love it actually and chooses to go and lay in there completely of her own accord.
She will probably stay in there now at night and when I pop out...oohhh for perhaps the next 10/11 years Id much rather she was safe in her massive crate than having to be unzipped through eating something she shouldnt.
Charlie is now decrated, and all he has chewed / destuffed since then was his bed. When he did that, I got the crate back out and he went straight into it without any fuss.
I have now again decrated him without incident, but I would have no hesitation in bringing it back if he decided to eat my sofa
He is now 16 months, and on his own over night and for 3 hours in a morning and 3 hours in an afternoon during the week.
Olly decided against his crate at 5 months, (he's now 14 months). He was as good as gold until I brought Sophie home 4 months ago. Since then, rampant destruction all round. He obviously needed a partner in crime.
He's now crated again. He doesn't seem to mind and Sophie is fine uncrated - she just followed where he was leading I think.
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Id much rather she was safe in her massive crate than having to be unzipped through eating something she shouldnt.
