Can I Crate My Dog For 12 Hours?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The quick answer is that while a dog can sleep through the night in his crate,

he should definitely not be crated for 12 hours during the day

. This is way too much time spent in isolation.

Is it OK to crate a dog while at work?

Crating a Dog While at Work


While leaving dog in crate while at work is not recommended

, if this must be tried, it shouldn't be more than 8 hours. If crating a while at work is not an option, dog-proof the room you're keeping them in to ensure they can't injure themselves while you're away.

How many hours can a dog be in a crate?


Adult dogs shouldn't be left in crates for more than 6-8 hours

. Puppies of 17 weeks and older can handle up to 4 or 5 hours in a crate at a time. Leaving a dog home alone in a crate longer than this can hurt their mental and physical health.

Is it cruel to crate a dog all night?

Is It Cruel to Crate a Dog at Night?

It is not cruel

and it does not make them aggressive, either. A crate provides your dog with a safe space for them to relax. Your dog can't do anything wrong if they are in their crate, allowing both you and them to relax.

What do I do with my dog when I work 12 hours?


Go on a big walk, take them to the dog park and interact with other dogs

(and humans!). Your dog will need a ‘time-out' after this and will likely sleep while you're at work. Set them up for the afternoon/night to be alone with enough food, toys and water.

Should I get a dog if I work 9 5?

In a perfect world, flexible schedules and pet-friendly work places would allow us to be with our dogs most of the day. But in real life,

being a working dog owner often means leaving your dog at home while you work the 9-5

. Don't worry: you can have it all.

How long should I crate my dog for punishment?

Limit the amount of time your dog remains actually shut in the crate.

Adult dogs should be limited to eight hours at a stretch, while puppies should be let out every three to four hours

because they lack the muscle tone to control their bladder longer.

How much crate time is too much?


Puppies and senior dogs cannot hold their bladder or bowels for as long and should not be crated more than 2-4 hours at a time

. Adult dogs can typically be in their crate for up to 8 hours a day. Never leave your dog confined for long periods while you are home. Dogs are social animals.

Can I crate my dog for 8 hours?


A dog can stay in a crate for up to 8 hours at night if that dog is a fully-grown adult

. During the day time, the maximum will be somewhere between 2-4 hours for full-grown dogs. You'll have to learn what works for your dog, and keep in mind that puppies need to get out of the crate more frequently.

Is crating your dog bad?

Trainers caution that

crating is not a good training tool for every dog

. For example, dogs who suffer from separation anxiety don't do well confined. Many will do almost anything to break out of the crate and can injure themselves.

How long can I crate my puppy?


Puppies under 6 months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time

. They can't control their bladders or bowels for that long. The same goes for adult dogs being housetrained. Crate your dog until they are able to be alone in the house without accidents or destructive habits.

Where should I keep my dog while at work?


Use a crate

. Pick a crate that's safe and sturdy. Your dog should be able to comfortably stand up and turn around in the crate. You can get a crate pad to make it feel more like a bed and a crate cover.

How long can you crate a dog at night?

As a rule of thumb, your dog should not be crated for more than

8 hours

without a break. Older dogs or puppies will need more frequent breaks. Also, they shouldn't be spending the majority of the time in a crate.

How long can you leave a dog in a crate at night?

Once your dog is crate trained and house trained fully, you can leave the dog in a crate for

up to 8 hours

. The dog should have good exercise before and after, and should be left in the crate with something safe to occupy his attention. Your dog will likely spend most of the time sleeping!

How long can you crate a dog overnight?

Most dogs should not be crated for more than

8 hours at a time

, and the length of time is shorter for older dogs and puppies. Also, you shouldn't have your dog spend most of the time in a crate, even if you give him frequent breaks.

How can I raise my puppy working 12 hour shifts?

Can a dog go 13 hours without peeing?


Adult dogs can hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours if needed

, but that doesn't mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That's at least once every 8 hours.

Can I have a puppy and work full time?

While it is definitely more of a challenge to raise a new dog or puppy while you're working full time,

it isn't impossible

. Puppies have a lot of needs, so you need to be able to make adjusts to your lifestyle and routine to successfully raise the new dog.

What dog is best for full time workers?

  • Basset Hound. Let's start with the most obvious one. …
  • Greyhound. Greyhounds are often regarded as a large, athletic breed. …
  • French Bulldog. There's a lot to like about this breed, including an easygoing demeanor. …
  • Welsh Corgi. …
  • Golden Retriever. …
  • Bullmastiff. …
  • Pug. …
  • Boston Terrier.

What pet can I get if I work full time?

Cats.

Cats are the perfect working-owner pets

. They don't need to go outside to do their business, they need less companionship than most dogs, and they're generally content to sleep the day away in a sunny spot. The best apartment cats are adaptable, not highly active, and can tolerate solitude.

How can I have a dog and work full time?

  1. Popping home in your breaks.
  2. Having a friend or neighbor call in.
  3. Employing a dog walker or puppy sitter to drop by.
  4. Leaving pup with a friend.
  5. Doggie daycare.

Can I leave my dog in a crate for 10 hours?

Especially older dogs and laid-back breeds can easily sleep for 10+ hours at night without needing to get up.

It is totally fine to crate your dog for that long during the night, especially if he has plenty of activities during the day.

Does putting dogs in timeout work?


The use of time-out can be an effective training tool to reduce unwanted behaviours when used correctly

. Dogs are social animals and love being with people. So being removed from this can cause some mild stress. It can help you to set clear house rules and boundaries in a non-threatening and calm way.

When should you not crate your dog?


Never crate your dog for longer than he can hold his bladder

. Younger puppies can only be crated for an hour at a time, gradually increasing as they pass eight weeks of age. You can bump this time to three hour periods until your puppy reaches around 3 1⁄2 months.

Can I let my dog roam free in the house?

If your dog has access to all or part of the house while you're home and doesn't get into trouble, then he might be ready for more freedom when left alone, according to professional dog trainer Jennifer Mauger of L'Chaim Canine.

What happens if you crate your puppy too much?

The crate can be too overwhelming for a dog that suffers from separation anxiety. He may try to destroy his crate in an attempt to get out and find you.

Trying to destroy the crate could cause injury. Another drawback could be whining and barking

.

Can a dog be too old to crate train?


There is no reason an older dog cannot be crate trained

, even if they've lived their entire lives without any crate exposure. The key is to move slowly. No dog—puppy, adolescent, adult or senior—will be comfortable in a crate if they are locked inside the space without preparation or training.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.