How long can my dog use a crate?

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Isaac

So, I'm getting a puppy fairly soon - and have one main question.

I'm fifteen - and until some time when I was thirteen (mid year) when I moved in with my dad, I had dogs all my life.

I've had two dogs - a Cocker Spaniel crossed with a Lhasa Apso - which was always old in my life. She was generally a calm, kind dog - but occasionally would bite - and my first dog bite was actually from her - on my face.

My second dog was a Jack Russell/Parsons Russell. She was a lot better than my first - as I was old enough to help train her. My mum was pretty bad at training dogs, despite having had dogs for over half of her life. However, after I moved out, my mum ended up having to give her to her recluse ex boyfriend - just so she wouldn't be around people as her behaviour worsened after I left.


Anyway, I'm planning on getting another Jack - though I would like a Jack crossed with a Staffy, or a similar Jack cross. I've been reading a lot on dog behaviour, training and psychology. I've got to work for three months at any job I like, before my dad will let me get a dog - which I'm fine with.

I'm pretty confident about everything - and save for the dog itself, I've found everything I will need for the dog - and should be able to afford it from some of the money I earn from my job (my dad's willing to pay most of the money for the puppy, up to a point.) So, I've come to look for a crate. Obviously, I need a small crate for while the dog is a puppy - so I can properly house train it. However, as I'm at school for six hours (and throw in another hour for coming home) I was considering using a larger crate for part of the day when I'm away - my dad is willing to take her out a bit, but I think that if she learns to like the crate, there shouldn't be much of a problem.

However, I was just wondering if anyone who actually knows what their talking about has any ideas or tips to put toward this. Obviously, Dogs in the wild would have dens - and that's why its fairly easy, when done properly, to have a dog love its crate as its own personal space. But most people do give their dogs free roam of the house after a while - and I was wondering if perhaps having the crate long term for the dog (until I move out - as I have a job with my older brother in his web design company - which I can do from home - lined up when I'm sixteen) would be a good or a bad idea.

Thanks in advance - anything else, ask it in an answer - and check back soon.

In regards to the crate sizes, while its a puppy I would likely use a standard size travel crate - the kind you can carry around with you and that puppies would be in when being brought to the house commonly. Obviously, the dog is going to be a Jack - so it should be fairly small. The second crate I would get would be one that would go underneath my desk - which is roughly 40 wide x 24 deep x 27 inches high. I feel like that would be a fairly large crate for a Jack Russell - and wouldn't be used until the dog was house trained.
@Ronaldo

Sorry, but your answer was absolutely hilarious to read. Many dog behaviourists believe that having a crate for a dog is incredibly important. Obviously, in house training, it is a massive factor. Dog's sleep when in a crate, usually - they commonly sleep when their owner is away - or when their owner is sleeping. Sleeping in a cosy area that you associate as your own personal space is actually very comforting. Frankly, if you have had experience where having a crate is cruel, you've been doing it wrong. My last dog was introduced to a crate later in life - and took to it incredibly happily. She liked to sit in it, with the door open, when she wasn't on a walk or playing - and I never had to force her into it. That was a Jack cross Parsons - who was larger and more hyperactive than your average Terrier.
In regards to the dogs exercise, which I think I should have mentioned before due to the nature of the question, I'm planning on taking him/her on my jogs.

I jog for 30-45 minutes in the morning before school and then jog or walk for a while after school. I don't go out very often as my friends generally come over my house. This means that other than when I'm at school, I'll be with the dog - who will be out of the crate when I'm at home. In the next year or so, I'll be doing part time college - which obviously is a lot less time consuming that school - and working from home - so its not going to be long term. Its simply the fact that if a dog can benefit from having a crate later on also, as my previous dog seemed to, then I want to know how to conduct that properly.

Answer
You can do a couple of things. 1. Get a crate that adjusts to the growth of your puppy. 2. Get a soft crate that can fold. Click on the link below it has a review of crates and shows crates that adjust to a dog as they grow and soft crates that would be great for a travel crate. Best wishes.

Leaving you dog in a crate during a 8 hour work day?

stacin_v

I am tired of people saying that it is cruel to leave your dog in a crate during an 8 hour work day. I am unemployed right now and I live in an apartment. I know that once I get a job I am going to have to lock up my 10 month old yorkie. Is there anyone out their who has positive responses about this?

Answer
Leaving your puppy in a crate for your work day, in my opinion, is probably better for him. There is a lot in a home for a puppy to get into, especially a little one like a Yorkie. Don't make the crate a bad thing for him, never punish him and put him in his crate you want the crate to be a safe place for him. Leave the door open on the crate so he can go in as he pleases, give him his favorite treats in the crate so he relates that its a good place. Don't feel guilty, if you think he is going to be bored, a little trick I did for my puppies and still do for my adult dogs. Buy a KONG (from any pet store) fill the bottom with some small treats or food put a a small amount of peanut butter on the top and freeze it over night, its a great way to keep a dog busy. make sure you have water available if you are going to give him peanut butter... it makes them pretty thirsty.

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