My wife and I rescued a 8-9 month old border terrier, and we are struggling with the best way to confine him both at night and while we are at work.  He is not fully house-trained, but his accidents are few and far between.  At night, he cries unless my wife sleeps on the floor by his crate.  Any suggestions?

A crate for a BT isn't going to be that large - is there any chance of having it in your bedroom at night?

We do have the crate in our bedroom, but he still cries, to the point that we cannot sleep.  The problem may be that we did not have the time to properly introduce him to his crate over a period of days, as we both work. 

Is he in the crate during the day?

Yes, he is in the crate while my wife and I are at work, although my wife comes home and lets him out for a half hour during the middle of the day.

How long is he crated during the day?

This is an active Border Terrier puppy, if he is crated during the day and then crated at night he is probably whining through frustration!!!

I appreciate that you have rescued him, but he needs to adjust to his new life before being caged for any long periods of time. 2 hours maximum is what I would recommend for a dog of this age in a new home. 

Could you not find someone to come in during the day to play and give him some exercise.  Does he have anything in the crate to keep him occupied (i.e. toys kongs etc.), if not he is probably bored rigid and you are going to end up with one very neurotic young man!!

I have just read your last post, 1/2 hour is nowhere near long enough for a pup of this age.

I can remember seeing a rescue Border not so long ago, that in her frustration at being shut in a cage for long periods, ended up with grooves in her canine teeth where she had bitten at the cage!!!!

I agree with Lady D, this dog is probably raring to go come bed time!, personally I don't think he should be adjusted to tolerate long hours in a cage as it is no life for an active breed like this.

It is not feasible to have someone watch him during the day.  I guess I am looking for some suggestions ... we have only had him for a day or two, so we haven't established a routine yet. 

Would it be better to leave him in a larger room during the day?

Did he come through Border Terrier Rescue or was it a private arrangment?

He was at the local pound.

From you saying pound, can I assume that you are from the US?

If you are can I suggest that you join the Border Terrier Site on Yahoo, which is mainly based in the US, they may well be able to give you more advise or help: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheBorderT-L/?yguid=59163083

You have taken on a very active breed who are very people orientated and need company, if they are frustrated by boredom, they can be very destructive and you wil have a big probklem on your hands.

I can see no reason apart from him being a possible chewer not to leave him in a larger room during the daytime.  Try leaving him in the room you are intending to leave him in, for 10 minute periods at a time, to see how he reacts to it.

If you are in the US do you have a doggy daycare or creche nearby? Failing that a dog walker?

Janet

Just to add to what I have said.  If you and your wife work an average 8 hour day and then the dog is crated at night as well.  You are talking about an active puppy being confined in a cage for and average of 15.1/2 hours in a 24 hour period, in my opinion a recipe for disaster!!!

Please find a dog walker or similar to give your boy at least 2/3 hours during the daytime.

Poor baby!! What a life - he probably got more attention at the dog pound!!  Why can't he be in an ordinary dog bed beside your bed?  If the answer to that is 'because he'll try to come up onto the bed'  -  then train him not to!   Cages cannot take the place of training, and I'm sorry, but it is downright cruel to keep a puppy in a cage for 15.5 hours out of 24.