Hi, My name is Alison and we just brought home a Shih Tzu. His name is Spanky and he is great. We are crate training him and it's so far/so good! This is my first day leaving him and he will be alone for a few hours until my neighbor takes him for a walk. My 6 yr old daughter and I felt terrible when we left him this morning. He is usually happy in his crate but he was crying and scratching to get out when we were leaving for school/work. I'm feeling very guilty/sad and hope he's okay. Any advice on this. He won't be alone all day. Just about 2-3 hours at a time. Also, I'm getting confused about whether to leave his food/water dish in his crate with him. One source said to do that and therefore he won't pee or poop where he eats and sleeps. Then I heard that he may eight/drink whenever he wants and will keep pooping/peeing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I thought I had research this pretty well, but the more I read, the more conflicting info I get. I can't even concentrate at work. I keep picturing Spanky in his crate crying and crying!

Thanks in advance!

Alison

Welcome to the forum Alison :-) Witholding water will not stop your puppy urinating. All dogs need a fresh supply of water and this is a basic and necessary requirement. Personally, I would not leave food in the cage but I would leave toys and maybe something chewable (nylabone).

Thank you so much! Do you think it's okay that he's in his crate for 2-3 hours at a time? He seems fine during the night in there.

I think if this is the only method you have of containing him, he is released on a regular basis and as soon as you return home, then this is probably the safest place for him to be. Cages do have there uses and I do not have a problem with them unless dogs are contained unnecessarily for many hours on end. The cage must never being used as a punishment though. If your dog gets quality time with you when he is released, I think you will find that he sleeps most of the time he is contained anyway :-) Do you leave the cage door open when you release him so that he has the option of going in and out of it of his own free will?

I have two Shi-tzus and when they were pups I used to just give them the run of the kitchen with some newspaper down for them. I didn't think there was anything to harm them there. I know a lot of people use cages but I personally don't fancy the idea unless I had a dog that chewed a lot and then it would probably be for its own safety. Its a personal thing I suppose but they are son tiny I couldn't shut the door on them. Good luck with Spanky, I'm sure he will bring you a lot of fun and love.

Maggie