Topic: Dog lovers advice needed...
mry's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:46 AM
I got a little Chiuia dog (sorry spelled wrong) late last night and he did not come with a leash. So I can't really take him outside until tonight when I get a leash...I put newspaper in the bathroom and he peeded on it...should I just leave him in there until tonight when I get home from work? Or put him back in his cage?

imsingle951's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:51 AM
I would leave him there while at work. I dont believe in keeping pets in cages for the day. He should be fine left out

Pete026's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:51 AM
Is he a pup? I'd leave him in his cage with water and plenty of newspaper down.

justme659's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:53 AM
I am not a believer in the cage method of training. They dont like to tinkle where they sleep. I think if you pick up everything in reach in the bathroom and put down plenty of paper he should be good in the bathroom. Maybe put the cage with the cage door open in the bathroom with a towell over it so he can crawl in and sleep.

Ceci47's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:55 AM

I am not a believer in the cage method of training. They dont like to tinkle where they sleep. I think if you pick up everything in reach in the bathroom and put down plenty of paper he should be good in the bathroom. Maybe put the cage with the cage door open in the bathroom with a towell over it so he can crawl in and sleep.


Yeah, I agree with you. =)

Pete026's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:55 AM
Great, now I look like the bad guy lol

mry's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:56 AM
Thanks, he is 2 years old and I'm not sure if he is fully house trained. But he did not mess his cage last night...and this morning peed on the paper so I hope I'm good with this...

imsingle951's photo
Mon 01/05/09 04:59 AM


I am not a believer in the cage method of training. They dont like to tinkle where they sleep. I think if you pick up everything in reach in the bathroom and put down plenty of paper he should be good in the bathroom. Maybe put the cage with the cage door open in the bathroom with a towell over it so he can crawl in and sleep.


Yeah, I agree with you. =)
sounds like good advice

Winx's photo
Mon 01/05/09 05:35 AM

Great, now I look like the bad guy lol


Nope, not a bad guy at all. Vets have recommended cages for my dogs before. I tried it with one dog.

If the dog has known it all of their lives, it is a safe place to them. Of course, you add a dog toy and their personal items.

no photo
Mon 01/05/09 05:36 AM
Pup or not, he is an unfamiliar pet to you, he is in unfamiliar surroundings. He may experience separation anxiety. Placing him in the cage for the day is the most humane thing you can do for his safety and to keep him from destroying your bathroom carpet or door, scratching to get out. Make sure he has an opportunity to potty before you leave for work and place him in the cage with water and a bit of food and something that belongs to you with your scent. If he is 2 years old he has the capabability to stay in there without needing to potty for several hours. I would not, however, make keeping him in the cage a day and night a habit. Leave your home for short periods at a time, leaving him out of the cage, free to roam the house, and see what his behavior is. Enjoy your fur baby! flowerforyou

*Edit*

Place him in the cage at night and immediately when you take him out in the morning, let him potty, make this a routine. Cages are not inhumane, they help dogs get into a routine, develop a pattern to pottying. Buttercup slept in a cage at night for the first year of her life and actually thought of it as her little space. she was very easy to train and I didn't have to worry about her getting into something that might hurt her.

papabear62's photo
Mon 01/05/09 05:50 AM
why do you need to ask? what are you going to do when you go to work after you have a leash? you keep him in the cage.

mry's photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:01 AM
Well at least I can then take him outside to go potty before I leave...

shoesmonkey's photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:05 AM
Cage's are a good idea. They are like a cave, give's the dog a sense of security. Not to worry!

no photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:06 AM
I never liked the idea of a cage, but when I inherited a 2 yr old bull dog a few years back, he came with a cage. I found that he likes it & runs into it on his own when he feels threatened (he is a bit of a coward & afraid of our cat). Dogs won't mess in their cages & if yours is 2 yrs, then he/she should be old enough to hold while you're at work.

I say use the cage, like Pete said above & include some toys for him to chew/play with while you're gone.

no photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:13 AM

I never liked the idea of a cage, but when I inherited a 2 yr old bull dog a few years back, he came with a cage. I found that he likes it & runs into it on his own when he feels threatened (he is a bit of a coward & afraid of our cat). Dogs won't mess in their cages & if yours is 2 yrs, then he/she should be old enough to hold while you're at work.

I say use the cage, like Pete said above & include some toys for him to chew/play with while you're gone.


If you leave toys in the cage, make sure they are the kind that he cannot chew up, possibly swallow pieces of and/or choke on while you're out.

lilith401's photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:19 AM
Crate training is a wonderful and humane method, provided you do not keep your pet in there for long extended peroids of time.

There are endless books, magazines, and websites on this.

footballgal321's photo
Mon 01/05/09 06:52 AM
crate training works wonders. as long as you do it properly it will work. You have to be consistant. always take him straight out as soon as you let him out of the kennel. He will learn that he is suppost to go potty when he gets out so make sure he is where you want him to go when you let him out. I have trained both of my dogs that way and they hardly ever have accidents.

DragonFlyTat's photo
Mon 01/05/09 09:04 AM
I have a white long hair chihuahua that is seven years old. When I got her I left her in the bathroom until I got home with newspaper and she was just fine. Keep everything that can be chewed on up and out of reach though.

no photo
Mon 01/05/09 09:18 AM
Crate trainning can be a godsend especially when and animal is sick or injured and can't be running around. Started doing this with Chihuahua/Yorky mix and it has worked well. Of course we have to get the cat out of the cage first. One of the cats likes it in there.