Ask The Doc: Crate Training

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In reading your format for crate training, you strongly urge that no food or water be placed in the crate, with the puppy. Unfortunately, my husband and I work in Atlanta and can not get home during the day to let the puppy out of the crate. Should the puppy go for 9 hours without food and water? This is a big concern for me as I already feel terrible that I have to leave him at all. What do you suggest?

Dr. DeMichael: The first question is how old is the pup.

Secondly, if you are gone for 9 hrs. and you put food in the crate, the pup will most likely will eat it and be forced to mess in the crate out of necessity. If you leave a water bowl in the crate, chances are quite good that he/she will be laying in the water by the time you get home.

An alternative approach would be to use an external bottle that can be strapped onto the crate with a "suckle spout" leading into the crate for the pup to suck from. They will learn to use this.

The important considerations are age dependent. If this is an 8-9 week old pup, it is hard for me to believe he/she hasn't been messing in the crate already. It is important that you don't feed him too close to the time he will be "put up" in the crate. Give him ample time to do his business before he is left for the day.

Although 9 hrs is a long time, if properly managed, a young adult can hold it long enough until you get home in most cases. Just remember that you have to do the planning for him and don't feed too close to confinement time.

Any chance someone can let him out over the lunch hour for 15 minutes or so? Perhaps another family member or close friend?

In either case, I would not provide any food and the water is ok, but use the external source.