Can I Crate My Dog for 8 Hours?

You can crate your dog for eight hours per day total, but they should be offered a potty break every four to six hours. If your dog is older or still a puppy, that time will be shorter as they may not be able to hold it as long between potty breaks.

What should I do if I’m gone longer than eight hours?  

Many people’s work schedules require that they be away for longer than eight hours. If you’re away longer than eight hours, here are some things to consider:

• Instead of crating, consider letting your house-trained dog be loose during the day or confined to a pet-safe area inside your home, with access to a potty area be that potty pads or outside.

• Enroll your dog in doggy day care.

Read this related article on Kinship

How to Crate Train a Puppy

Looking to crate train your puppy? If you follow these tips, crate training your pup can go smoothly.

• Hire a dog walker to stop by in the middle of the day to let your dog out and to give him a little play time.

• If you work close to home, use your lunch breaks to let your dog out.

• See if a family member who stays home during the day would like some canine company. 

Crating for eight hours is fine for most dogs, but they must get a potty break every four to six hours. If it gets much longer than that, you may have to find an alternative to ensure your pet is happy and healthy.