We have a roughly 9 month old "puppy." We have a dog walker come in during the middle of the day, making our dog's longest stint in the crate about 4.5 hours. Our dog walker won't be able to come for three days, leaving our dog crated for roughly 7 hours. I don't expect the pup to be particularly happy about 7 hours in her crate, but is it reasonable to expect her to go 7 hours without an accident at this age?
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I'm guessing you don't get up in the middle of the night to let your puppy out to go, do you? If not, she can hold it for 7 or 8 hours.
I wouldn't get her a larger crate; if she has to go, she will if she can get away from it. It's not a great idea to give them the opportunity to go in their crate. One of the reasons to crate-train is to teach bladder control.
While I can't agree that crating your dog is such a miserable existence that you should change your life to stop it, you might consider letting her grow into gradually larger spaces when you're gone: a bathroom at first, then a mudroom, etc. You can put a bed and some toys, water and a few other entertainments in a small room with a gate. (Some people even put in a set up to skype with the dog during the day.) Any area with a vinyl or tile floor (just in case) will do.
anongoodnurse
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As said, expect an accident, move on and don't punish the dog for what is essentially not its fault.
It's an awfully long time for any sociable animal to be locked up and not fair. I don't want to get into personal situations but it sounds like having a puppy was not a good idea if the majority of its day is spent locked in a crate. Personally, I would suggest make adjustments in your own life to suit the animal for learning and play, this age is when they absorb the most information and pick up good habits.
Are you close to your home when you are at work? Can you take the dog to work with you to at least have it close by? Are there friends or family who can look after the animal? Because at that age, yes, it is still a puppy and to be locked up all day will be utterly confusing for the animal.
I am sorry to drag on but I feel that important things may not have been taken into account. I hope I am wrong, but that is no life for a puppy, or any animal in fact.
Bagseye
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You have to expect an accident to happen. Clean it up and start over. If no accident then be happy. What I like is an oversize crate so they don't have to lay in the accident.
OK I have to step in and disagree with Morgan.
A dog can have a very happy life with just an hour of interaction a day. Give them 30 minutes of exercise and 30 minutes of attention. On a busy day you can make a dog feel important in 10 minutes. Long or short day greet your dog when you get home. If it has been a long day then take them out immediately - hey I held it take me OUT. Let them sleep in the same room as you. A puppy will sleep 20 hours in a day.
paparazzo
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A walker would help allot! Does WAG work in your area?? I LOVE them. And you letting the dog sleep with you every night and not in the crate I think helps a lot for the dogs mind for being in the crate during the day
