I have a 4-month old yellow lab puppy. We've had him now for two months, we're crate-training him, and he's mastered housebreaking quite easily. (Waiting to go outdoors to eliminate.) So...no problems with that.
However, right now, I am out of work and am always home with him. So, for his entire life with us, he's never been alone for more than 2-3 hours at a time. However, when I do go back to work, he may have to be alone for up to 10 hours at a time. I am considering building an 8' x 6' wooden pen in our basement (10 hours is a long time to be in a cramped crate), that has plenty of room for water and food AND an area for him to eliminate. That way, he won't have to "hold it," he can drink all the water he wants, etc.
Here's the question? Will this confuse him? He's mastered going outdoors and NOW I'm basically telling him it's okay to go inside..but just when he's in this pen. Do you think this could cause him to eliminate inside his regular crate upstairs...or in our house?
When we are home, we are still going to do our normal bathroom breaks, taking him outside to "do his business." But, when we are away, I would like to know that he is not suffering trying to hold it all day long, not to mention that he'll be able to drink as much water as he wishes.
But, as I said, will this confuse him? Also, how do I get him to relieve himself inside this pen after he's been taught not to go inside? (After all, we won't be around when he's in there, so he's sort of going to have to figure it out when he's all alone.) I need to find a way to tell him it's okay to go inside this pen.
Also...any ideas on what to use for his "potty" area. (The potty area is going to be 2' x 4'...he'll be a big dog.) Kitty litter, wood shavings?
Thanks a lot!
VFB
However, right now, I am out of work and am always home with him. So, for his entire life with us, he's never been alone for more than 2-3 hours at a time. However, when I do go back to work, he may have to be alone for up to 10 hours at a time. I am considering building an 8' x 6' wooden pen in our basement (10 hours is a long time to be in a cramped crate), that has plenty of room for water and food AND an area for him to eliminate. That way, he won't have to "hold it," he can drink all the water he wants, etc.
Here's the question? Will this confuse him? He's mastered going outdoors and NOW I'm basically telling him it's okay to go inside..but just when he's in this pen. Do you think this could cause him to eliminate inside his regular crate upstairs...or in our house?
When we are home, we are still going to do our normal bathroom breaks, taking him outside to "do his business." But, when we are away, I would like to know that he is not suffering trying to hold it all day long, not to mention that he'll be able to drink as much water as he wishes.
But, as I said, will this confuse him? Also, how do I get him to relieve himself inside this pen after he's been taught not to go inside? (After all, we won't be around when he's in there, so he's sort of going to have to figure it out when he's all alone.) I need to find a way to tell him it's okay to go inside this pen.
Also...any ideas on what to use for his "potty" area. (The potty area is going to be 2' x 4'...he'll be a big dog.) Kitty litter, wood shavings?
Thanks a lot!
VFB