Jessieca
Well-known member
Hi! I am a new user, but I had two questions, I will post them separately though...both sort of have to do with the fact that I am a new pet owner. We got our cavalier Bailey in August, and he is now 10 months old. We absolute adore him, he's basically our "baby" hehe. I guess I am wondering how much independence I should give him.
Ok, first question:
Previous to now, he has always stayed in his crate if we were gone at all, even if we just ran out for 30 min. The last 5 times we have gone out, I let him have free reign in the living room/kitchen/entry way area. Today we went to a movie, and when we came home, he was just sleeping on a comfy chair with one of his toys, and everything had been left as it was when we left. He is potty trained to go indoors, so he has a litter box with a pee pad in it in this area so he is able to go in that if he has to go potty. He is fully trained, and never has accidents, so that is not an issue. He also never chews on things like cords, just his toys, and old socks that we let him have. Because he is fairly responsible in that aspect, I am wondering if it is safe to leave him alone, out of his crate if we are gone for a few hours. Normally we are not gone for more than 3 or 4 hours at most when we do go out. Would this be safe? I do make sure everything is clean, and he has no way to get to human food, trash, etc., but I still worry! I am ok with him being in the crate, but I like the idea that he can eat/drink/go potty when he pleases if we are out, and since I am returning to school 5 hours per day in the fall, I feel like this might be the best option.
At what age is it safe to let them roam freely? Do you leave your dog in a crate if you have to run out, or is he/she allowed to be in an open part of the home? Thanks for any and all advice! I want to do what is best for Bailey
Ok, first question:
Previous to now, he has always stayed in his crate if we were gone at all, even if we just ran out for 30 min. The last 5 times we have gone out, I let him have free reign in the living room/kitchen/entry way area. Today we went to a movie, and when we came home, he was just sleeping on a comfy chair with one of his toys, and everything had been left as it was when we left. He is potty trained to go indoors, so he has a litter box with a pee pad in it in this area so he is able to go in that if he has to go potty. He is fully trained, and never has accidents, so that is not an issue. He also never chews on things like cords, just his toys, and old socks that we let him have. Because he is fairly responsible in that aspect, I am wondering if it is safe to leave him alone, out of his crate if we are gone for a few hours. Normally we are not gone for more than 3 or 4 hours at most when we do go out. Would this be safe? I do make sure everything is clean, and he has no way to get to human food, trash, etc., but I still worry! I am ok with him being in the crate, but I like the idea that he can eat/drink/go potty when he pleases if we are out, and since I am returning to school 5 hours per day in the fall, I feel like this might be the best option.
At what age is it safe to let them roam freely? Do you leave your dog in a crate if you have to run out, or is he/she allowed to be in an open part of the home? Thanks for any and all advice! I want to do what is best for Bailey