What is the best way to keep a dog in my apartment while I'm at work? Would a crate or gates be best?

Question

I've gotten permission to have a dog in my apartment, so I'm hoping to go to the animal shelter on Sunday to get a medium-sized dog (probably a Beagle mix). I have a crate and several other things for it. I work 7-8 hours a day Monday-Friday, and I have 15-30 minutes of driving time to and from work (1-way). I also have a class in the evening once a week, so I'm gone longer that day. I don't want the dog to be too cooped up while I'm gone. Does a crate really work well for a dog? Because I think it would be too small, and of course it wouldn't allow the dog to go to the bathroom. I could put the dog in the kitchen and use gates to keep it in, but what gate would be best for a dog that size? I don't have tons of money to spend, but I want to make sure my dog is comfortable and happy.

Answer 1

I am a big fan of crate training. Both my dogs are kennel trained and go to it the moment they see us putting on our shoes (unless we ask them if they'd like a ride in the car).



Is it necessary? No, not really, providing your dog isn't destructive (mine knock over the garbage can every time we go out if left out of their kennels). I just find it makes them much easier to train, and now and then they'll just go there for a nap. They like to have their own quiet place.



Edit: I have a problem with the responses that say 'If you work that many hours you shouldn't have a dog'. The fact of life is that MOST people work full 40 hour work weeks, and since dogs are the top pet in North America, I would wager to guess working 40 hours a week and being apart from your dog isn't a bad thing. It doesn't make the dog 'bad' in any way. I agree that on the night you have school, you should probably get a neighbour to bring your dog outside for a walk. But having your dog at home alone for 8 - 9 hours is not going to harm it. You should consider an older dog, though, rather than a puppy. Puppies shouldn't be left alone for more than 5 or 6 hours at a time, and ideally no more than 3 without a bathroom break.



Amazing that people think leaving a dog alone for 8 - 9 hours is a big deal, but yet when it comes to our children, we'll stick them in daycare for others to raise, yet complain when they're being 'bad'.



In any case, I would be very careful about the choice of dog. Since you aren't going to be home all the time with your new little one, choose a dog that suits your lifestyle. Low-energy dogs, or dogs that aren't prone to destructive behaviours when they don't have the opportunity to go outside for extended periods of time, are a better choice for you. You should avoid any of the hunting and working dogs and probably choose a toy breed. Toy breeds, while not requiring extensive time outside, do tend to be barkers, though.

Answer 2

This will depend on your dog. Since you have an apartment, you should consider that a Beagle (maybe a mix as well) can be a big barker or howler. Some dogs love crates and others just hate them. The ideal thing is for your dog to be a house trained adult that you can comfortably leave in your apartment. Can you wait until the holidays to pick out your dog? If you have time off, you can spend it to acclimate your dog to his new home instead of getting him on Sunday and then leaving on Monday morning. Friday afternoon would be better for that same reason. It gives you some time to figure out what will work for this particular dog.



Most dogs when left alone sleep anyway but if you are going to be gone much longer than 8 hours at a stretch, you should make arrangements to let him out to go. Although they are not recommended, a smaller dog can use a pad inside the apartment but these can cause house training problems in the future so they are a last resort. In that case, you will need to use the gate in the kitchen. If he is a jumper, you can stack two gates.



He might like going to a doggy daycare once a week if you can swing it. For some dogs, one day of daycare lasts them for a week.

Answer 3

Here is my personal opinion, since I do not really understand why he can not be left in the crate because of his digestive problems, but I am sure you know the situation and not me. If he escapes the crate, that is a different situation (which my GSD mis does). Now that my mix has outgrown her crate and I am awaiting the new crate to come in, I do this: Anything I do not want her to destroy I keep away. They can jump on counters, other the baby gate, and even open the button to open the trash! First off, I have a long leash, and one end is looped to a hoop in the wall, and the other on her. This keeps her from even if she jumps over or pushes over the gate, she can't be running all over the house. The shredding part is part boredom and anxiety. Boredom can be cured by keeping various toys. Rotate the toys he plays with. My pup loves tennis balls, just to push them around and run after them. I only leave tennis balls with it when I leave, so she can roll them around the floor. When I come home, I take away the balls. I also have a squeaky piggy that I give to her. So separate the toys which are for "you are gone" and ones that lay around the house. I also found the cheap rope toys that you buy for dog at like walmart, like the thin coiled ones keep them occupied for a while. The anxiety can be curbed by making the leaving ritual very calm. Like when you are getting to leave. Just put your dog in the kitchen. Don't say thing, give him a toy, and leave quietly. No "oh my baby, I will be back soon, blah, blah, blah". My personal problem with muzzling is that you are not there to control it. Dogs pick at the muzzle and can try and get it half way off. Then it can get stuck in his mouth, and if you are gone for a couple of hours...you get back and he has his teeth coming out or twisted his jaw...that could be a huge problem! If nothing really works, I have left card-board boxes in the kitchen, in which the puppies likes to jump in and out and then eventually chew it up, atleast the pup has something other than my counter to chew up! P.S. just watch the flooring! that it isn't coming up anywhere, because mine found every place it came up in!

Answer 4

Get a gate. That way he can move around a bit and stretch his legs. Just make sure the gate is big enough that he can't jump over, and make sure there is nothing for him to get into. You could make a spot with some papers or a box in a corner for him to use as a bathroom. There are lots of web site that tell you how to teach a dog to go on news papers indoors.

A lot of people these days seem to leave their dogs in crates - a lot. I think that is like making them a zoo animal stuffed in a cage. A few years ago no one ever heard of a crate. Crates are nice at night time, and possibly until you are sure he is trained to go in the right spot.

Answer 5

Dogs like crates, its their space, you know how a kid can play in their room for hours and not care, that's how it is for dogs. Just make sure that the door is left open when you are home and that it is big enough for the dog to stand up turn around and lay down and still have plenty of room. Give them a toy and a blanket and it should be fine



You might want to get a neighbor or family member to come over and take the dog for a walk definitely on the day you have class and prolly everyday if its a younger dog.

Answer 6

Well with you being gone that long, it would be kind of hard on the dog. Would you be able to have someone come midday to let the dog out and walk a bit?



But in terms of crate vs gate, I would go with crate. With the gate, the dog could chew up things like the walls, or cabinets (unless you get a really mellow dog). Beagles are usually high energy, and could get destructive if left to their own devices for that long. I lucked out that I got a runt, chill dog, and even now, she can have the whole house to herself for about 4-6 hours and not do anything.



If you do get the dog, I would suggest a long walk in the morning to get them nice and tired for while you are gone. Then someone come midday. Then when you come home, another walk (just a short one), and to play with them. A cooped up dog wouldn't be as fun as a exercised well taken care one. =D

Answer 7

I would try the baby gate, as long as your comfortable with training the dog to use a special place for potty in the house (sorry i could never do that). If the dog gets out or figures out how to jump it, switch to the crate. Whatever works for you is what you should do.



Oh dear I rymed! lol



Good luck and congratulations on giving an unwanted dog a home.

Answer 8

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://tr.im/NzvHv



A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 9

A crate that is big enough for it to stand up , turning around and lay down comfortably will do great , a lot of dogs do well with crates while their owner is away . and they feel safe in a crate

Answer 10

My suggestion is not to even get a dog. Sorry, but any dog who is going to be alone for 7 to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, isn't a very good life for an animal. You also mentioned that you don't have alot of money - well, pets take a lot of money to keep. Vet bills, food, toys, bedding, flea/tick control, heartworm meds, all add up. If your dog needs to be on meds, those are extremely expensive also. Beagles are high energy dogs and if you don't exercise him a lot he is going to become bored and get into a lot of trouble. Sorry, but I just don't think a dog should be alone for that long of a period of time. Just my opinion.