When to let out of crate

[lillysmom]

Hi!
Im Paula, Lilly is my baby. She is about 10 months old and I crate her every time I leave the house. She stays in her crate all day while I am at work. I have done this since we brought her home. I am curious when I can start to leave her out on her own. The only thing that bothers me, is that in Oct she bit right into a lamp cord and got electricuted. Im not worried so much about my stuff, I just fear for her . Any ideas?
Thanks!
Paula

[Krista]

My three are all adults.  I still confine them while we are not at home.  I just believe they are safer that way.  I have an x-pen that I set up in the kitchen for them with a comfy bed, blankets and their water bowl.

I would babygate them in the kitchen, but my house has an open floor plan, so that is why I use an x-pen.

[Barb]

Probably the next step would be to babygate her into a small area - kitchen or laundry room maybe?  She is not ready for the run of the house - until she gets back the puppy chewing !!!!   Have you sprayed cords with bitter apple or something comparable to keep her awy from those?  Also - if she is used to being crated - this is not a bad option for her - as long as she gets plenty of excercise while you are with her !

Let us know how she does!

[Dottiesdoxies]

george and grace still chew up things when they feel like it...........lol  they have the run of the house and backyard via doggy door when we are not home.  you have to test her for short times and then decide when she is ready.  some dogs are never ready........lol  a kitchen etc. sounds like  good starting point.  every dog is different, it will take some trial and error to find what works for you and your dog........good luck and keep us posted.    :crazyeyes:

[MindyKay]

I crate Ozzy while I'm away.  I am lucky, though, in that I'm able to go home over lunch hour and let him out for a while.  He seems to do well with the crate, although he is ready to get out when I get home.

I feel safer knowing he will not get into trouble with cords because he still loves to chew on things.

[doxielady5569128]

My puppy Porky is almost a year old and still has a hard time not chewing on things when we are away.   We crate him at night and if we are gone for short periods of time.  However, if we are going to be gone a long time, we have purchased a "playpen" made for dogs that he stays in.  That way he can get exercise and eat and drink while we are gone.  This also assures us that he is safe.

Porky chewed cords too, but after he got zapped he never chewed one again.  It was very scary..so now we always play it safe and leave him confined while we are away.  Just testLily out slowly if you decide to let her have free rein in the house!