Where should she sleep?

[majicka]

My 3 year old dog is still crated, not because he needs to be, but because he wants to be. I have 3 dogs and when we leave to go out I give them frozen stuffed kongs..I guess he feels it allows him to eat it in peace. I also have my 14 month old pup still crated as well. Througout the day they will often go in there just to 'relax'.

I started my pups w/ the crate in my bedroom, and then once they were reliable potty wise overnight I moved the crates to my kitchen, and at night they would only have access to my bedroom and bathroom. Both my guys when they were about 4 months would sleep mostly thru the night, usually from 11 to about 5-6am.


I personally don't feel any age is a good age to leave them outside for an extended length of time. There are so many horrible things that can happen.

[Daytonasmaster]

As for the comment on someone entering the yard, doesnt notice the dog and gets bitten part: I have 2 "beware of dog" signs that I had posted when I had my other rottie, who has now passed away after 12 wonderful years. I plan to put those same signs up once the puppy is older. My gate by the way does have locks on it that are in place at night and during the day while we are gone. The only time they are left off are when we are outside, in and out or if someone is planning a visit at a certain time at which time the dog is supervised or inside with us. Guess I should of mentioned that my gates have locks.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Daytonasmaster

As for the comment on someone entering the yard, doesnt notice the dog and gets bitten part: I have 2 "beware of dog" signs that I had posted

While I understand that you live in a rural small town and your situation may be fine it is important to remember that children under 5 generally cannot read and any unlocked gate with a dog inside is only one gate away from a potential problem.

[Daytonasmaster]

Well if you had read earlier in my post I had stated that I have locks on my gates and they are only unlocked when the dog is not outside or I am outside with the dog. By the way, I have a 4 year old and the dog is going to be raised around a child, I do not hope to have an aggressive dog in any way.Neighborhood children only come to my house when we pick them up and bring them here, we do not have any small children around our area close by, so I do not believe they will just pop up and wander into our yard which by the way will be locked. I just dont know why I am getting such third degree from so many of you here just because I chose to let my "12 week old puppy" be left alone in the yards for periods of time, when all over the United States there are people that chain up dogs younger than this and they are left there for 18 or more hours a day alone and then not taken care of or fed properly just to have a mean looking dog in there yard. I on the other hand spend all of my time that I am home with my dog and let her run the yard which is fenced and locked in the country with no people around, but I am the bad person!

[Daytonasmaster]

P.S: Guess those of you that crate a dog for 8-10 hours a day while you are at work is your idea of treating your dog properly. How would you like to be put in a small cage you can barely turn around in and stay there for 8 or more hours? Ah of course not, but putting my dog in a locked fenced area outside where she can run, play or cool down by a shade tree is wrong. Well sorry but I have had rotties all my life and I have always had them outside running free in a well enclosed area. No problems yet, and If I ever do encounter any than I guess its my problem not yours.. I came on here offering advice to someone that asked a question about whether he should let his dog out alone for periods of time..and you are all lecturing him about crates and how not to let your dog outside...please rottweilers are big dogs that love the outdoors..if you want to lock something in a crate all day...get a poodle.

[Puppy Love]

Originally Posted by Daytonasmaster

As for the comment on someone entering the yard, doesnt notice the dog and gets bitten part: I have 2 "beware of dog" signs that I had posted when I had my other rottie, who has now passed away after 12 wonderful years. I plan to put those same signs up once the puppy is older. My gate by the way does have locks on it that are in place at night and during the day while we are gone. The only time they are left off are when we are outside, in and out or if someone is planning a visit at a certain time at which time the dog is supervised or inside with us. Guess I should of mentioned that my gates have locks.

You have to becareful posting the beware of dog signs. Not saying your dog would but hypothetically speaking someone got bit by your dog. By posting those signs alot of the time it can look like you knew your dog was vicious and that's why you posted them. Just a thought.

[dmoniz]

Originally Posted by Daytonasmaster

How would you like to be put in a small cage you can barely turn around in and stay there for 8 or more hours?

I do it's called my office.

I don't think anyone has complained about you letting your dog spend the night outside, you obviously spend plenty of quality time with her. It's not the ideal situation for everyone though. You're lucky enough to live in a nice area. There are other areas that have the types of people who like to steal rotties for either dog fights or to turn mean to "protect" their property. I also worry about my dogs barking all day at the neighbors or whatever so they are crated while I'm gone. Besides this way they get to be in the air-conditioning like on a day like today where it is suppose to hit 100 degrees.

[VANCOUVERISLANDROT]

Originally Posted by Puppy Love

You have to becareful posting the beware of dog signs. Not saying your dog would but hypothetically speaking someone got bit by your dog. By posting those signs alot of the time it can look like you knew your dog was vicious and that's why you posted them. Just a thought.

I disagree with that comment. If you DON'T put those signs up and someone walks right into your backyard, gets attacked and/or bitten by your Rotti (who's just doing their job) then YOU can be held liable for not warning anyone. I'll be putting signs up for sure when our dog is old enough to be in the yard.

To the original poster - We have a 10 week old and are out of the home for 9 hours a day. We are lucky enough to have an empty room in the house with lino floors and have made this "his room" during the day only. So he actually has quite a bit of room to roam, sleep, play etc. At night we crate and he's already going through the whole night without a potty break. We keep his crate in our bedroom so he can sense/smell us (he sleeps MUCH better) but once he's older his crate will be moved to another area of the home. As well, once he's old enough (and not wanting to eat our home) his crate will be left open during the night so he has free roam of the house. I personally wouldn't leave Oscar in a crate for 9 hours straight...I agree with you and think that's just horrible. That being said, I wouldn't leave him in the backyard by himself either. When I was growing up we had a puppy that we left in the backyard while parents were at work (very small town & 7' fencing, locks etc) and he was STILL stolen and we never found him. As well, they are little diggers at that age and I would die sitting at work wondering if he's okay, did he dig himself out and get hit by a car etc.

I'm not judging you at all for leaving your pup outside at all...I'm just offering up why I personally don't leave ours out. I totally understand that you're just trying to offer her something better then a wire crate for 8+ hours. Have you ever considered baby gating off your kitchen or something?? At least that would give her some more leg room and offer a safer environment. Once she's older I can't see anything wrong with leaving her outside all day. All of my family dogs (adult) growing up were outside dogs and lived good lives etc...as long as they get attention they're just fine. We have a huge yard but our fella's going to be inside during the day and night (with use of the yard whenever he wants) only because a guard dog doesn't do much for you "outside". Again...our personal choice and not a judgement on your choices.

Good luck with your new furbaby!

Julie

[Puppy Love]

Originally Posted by Daytonasmaster

P.S: Guess those of you that crate a dog for 8-10 hours a day while you are at work is your idea of treating your dog properly. How would you like to be put in a small cage you can barely turn around in and stay there for 8 or more hours? Ah of course not, but putting my dog in a locked fenced area outside where she can run, play or cool down by a shade tree is wrong. Well sorry but I have had rotties all my life and I have always had them outside running free in a well enclosed area. No problems yet, and If I ever do encounter any than I guess its my problem not yours.. I came on here offering advice to someone that asked a question about whether he should let his dog out alone for periods of time..and you are all lecturing him about crates and how not to let your dog outside...please rottweilers are big dogs that love the outdoors..if you want to lock something in a crate all day...get a poodle.

My dog love their crates They go in even when they don't have to it is their "Quiet Time" all by themselves. They sleep pretty much all day anyways so the can be ready for me to come home. Rottweillers are also big dog that love the company of their owners. It is way to hot to let my dogs outside all day even with shaded trees and there is alway the possiablity of them getting stolen or kids throwing thing at them. I would much rather them be safe in their crates!!! There are Poodles that are JUST as Large as Rotts so that won't work either!

[Puppy Love]

Originally Posted by VANCOUVERISLANDROT

I disagree with that comment. If you DON'T put those signs up and someone walks right into your backyard, gets attacked and/or bitten by your Rotti (who's just doing their job) then YOU can be held liable for not warning anyone. I'll be putting signs up for sure when our dog is old enough to be in the yard.

I used to work for an insurance company. It is very possiable that you can be held liable!!!!! It is kinda like you are cursed if you don't and cursed if you do!

[HerculesMomma]

Originally Posted by Daytonasmaster

P.S: Guess those of you that crate a dog for 8-10 hours a day while you are at work is your idea of treating your dog properly. How would you like to be put in a small cage you can barely turn around in and stay there for 8 or more hours? Ah of course not, but putting my dog in a locked fenced area outside where she can run, play or cool down by a shade tree is wrong. Well sorry but I have had rotties all my life and I have always had them outside running free in a well enclosed area. No problems yet, and If I ever do encounter any than I guess its my problem not yours.. I came on here offering advice to someone that asked a question about whether he should let his dog out alone for periods of time..and you are all lecturing him about crates and how not to let your dog outside...please rottweilers are big dogs that love the outdoors..if you want to lock something in a crate all day...get a poodle.

I'm not sure anyone was taking issue with this per se. Maybe I misunderstood? But I think the part about it being a puppy is a bit objectionable as it could be easily stolen. However, try and lift a full grown 110 pound male over the fence. Probably NOT going to happen!

But I have tendency to see your point of view (at least for an adult dog) and can't say I totally disagree. I have a dog door for my boy (gate locked too) and I see nothing wrong with him having the ability to let himself in and out of my fenced in yard.

Just everyone's difference of opinion I suppose.

[pazzo]

Vancover rott...to your thought in the states of NJ and I believe PA, If you post a beware of dog sign, who ever said it was dead on it MOST CERTAINLY CAN and WILL be used against you in court. I only know this because the brother in law is an attorney and told me NEVER to post these signs, you are admitting that you ALREADY know your dog has the potential to bite. I agree with I warned them but........! unfortunately the laws in these two states. He has had several experience with cases in where people have had these signs posted. My cousin has two cocker's and one nipped a kid (1 mo ago) he had one of these signs, not because the dog are mean but just becausse he thought it would keep people out. Apparently the neighbors didn't care, thier kid went into his yard (climbed the fence gate was was locked) and now cousin is being sued. His finger was bit no stitches or nothing...these signs ARE against him now. We shall see....

[Judi W]

As far as signage is concerned, a simple "no trespassing" sign it best as then the property is considered "posted". That and locked gates are about the best one can do.

[Daytonasmaster]

Originally Posted by dmoniz

I do it's called my office.

I also worry about my dogs barking all day at the neighbors or whatever so they are crated while I'm gone. Besides this way they get to be in the air-conditioning like on a day like today where it is suppose to hit 100 degrees.

Well, as for the barking at the neighbors bit, I guess some neighbors may get annoyed by this if you live close to neighbors in a busy city. In my case we dont have too many close by and the ones we do..there dogs bark 24/7 so its a common noise that we have all grown accustomed too. We live up in the mountains so its always cooler here in the summer, (horrible horrible winters though...in which case the dog will be brought mostly inside for sure)...but it usually never reaches above 90 here..most summers high is 85 or lower. I do not have airconditioning since we just never bought one...would take way too much to cool my size living room...our house is older built so it stays cooler than most usually 10 degrees cooler than outside temp without an air conditioner...so the dog is surely not suffering from heat outside , and she also has access to our basement from outside which is really cool down there. I could not imagine living somewhere where it gets 100 degrees anymore...been there done that...I love it here in the mountains where I am!

[Daytonasmaster]

Originally Posted by Puppy Love

You have to becareful posting the beware of dog signs. Not saying your dog would but hypothetically speaking someone got bit by your dog. By posting those signs alot of the time it can look like you knew your dog was vicious and that's why you posted them. Just a thought.

You are damned if you do, damned if you dont! In most cases putting up Beware of the dog signs is just letting strangers know that there is in fact a dog in your yard. If you dont put them up, the people come in, and out comes the dog etc...that would be quit a shock to see a 100+ pound dog come running at you from out of nowhere. If you put the sign up they are aware that there is a dog in the yard. I can see where if you put a sign up that says" Beware of vicous dog" , "Beware of Rottweiler, I can get to the gate in 3 seconds, can you?", or "Beware of Biting Rottweiler" and yes they have these kind of signs out there that dumb people actually buy and post...just look on EBAY! A simple Beware of dog sign is just warning people you have a dog and to be aware that there is one in the yard in case they enter. I went to college for Paralegal and I am well aware of the laws concerning these signs...if you dont post them the outcome can be worse..I have seen it happen. I also about 9 years ago worked on a case where a Pitt bul attacked a person in there yard, they had a sign, the dog was chained and those people were found not responsible in the end. Not saying that what you are saying is untrue, some states hold you liable when the sign is up stating that you in turn knew your dog was vicious. Its a sensitive area, but I am just more comfortable putting the signs up in my yard. Some of you may not..again its a matter of personal opinion. Thanks!