How long is too long to crate a gsd pup. - Page 1

A question for you professional breeders .A person has a 10 week old gsd pup.This person works 8 hours a day.Crates the pup for 8 hours.Lets her out for aprox 4-5 hours.then crates her again all night untill 8 am to go out for an hour and then crated untill owner comes home from work.This pup had this routine for almost 7 months of her life.This pup has a pencil thin chest,no  mussel at all,and has bad itching problems that the vets think is allergies.The sister to this pup is kept outside mostly in a large area,is much thicker built wider chest and no allergies.

I am asking you experts if confining this pup to a crate for this long a period,caused her to have no chest at all,and itching problems.Any help greatly appreciated.

T

I would have a cow if I found out someone was keeping one of our dogs in that manner.

Who knows what "caused" the narrow chest,  Put a trout in a small pond and it will stay small,  Put it in a large pond it will grow to it's potential.  Many species have this "survival" ability to not "outgrow" they're surroundings.  though I do not know that it applies to dogs specifically.

Itching thing... well bordom could have caused her to start chewing,  Have known people that resort to biting nails,  pulling hair, scratching arms/face...  Birds will pluck they're own feathers when stressed or bored.  again don't know that it applies to dogs specifically.

But who can honestly say what "caused" eighther of those conditions...  I don't know.

Sorry not to be of more help,  But that's a loaded couple of questions there.

Ok, the animal is creted alot during the work week - what about weekends?

I'm prob. going to get bashed for this, but oh well! LOL

<> My outdoor dogs (4) are kenneled from about 11pm until 7am.  My indoor pups (2) are out from 5:30am until 7am, then again from 11am-2pm, while the outdoor pups are allowed to run around in the large outdoor pen.  When outdoor pups are out, indoor pups are inside, allowed to play in the house.  All pups are fed in their indiv. kennels, then let back out after about 10-15 min. after eating. 

<>I HAVE to do it this way for several reasons.  The (2) indoor pups absolutely DO NOT get along with the others, but are fine with each other.  So their exercise time has to be seperate.  (Per suggestions from this board)  Also, I do my training off site.  I typically start my training about 9am and I take 2 at a time.  So, yes, one is in a kennel while I'm working the other, but each only last about 30 min for now.  (That's tracking and some OB)  And I also work each atleast 1 more time in OB at home throughout the day.  Luckily, this won't be a problem for much longer!  :-)  My new kennels should be done by mid July.  And I have 2 of the 6 going to their new homes in June! :-)  

Anyway, kinda got off subject.  Yes, I think that is to long for a pups to be stuck in a kennel.  Heck I hate having to do mine the way I do! LOL  But as first stated, how much exercise does the animal get on weekends?  Small chest size?  Couldn't really say without more info on parents, all siblings, etc.  But I do agree that the itching thing might be because of bordem.  Sorry, not much help here either.   

Can this puppy hold it's urin that long? If it is sitting in it's pee or feces this is going to burn the skin and cause hair loss eventually. With lack of stimuli and exersize the pup probably is developing mental issues and chewing itself for lack of anything else to do. Does pup have a toy or something to chew on? I have 2 pups that are on this scedule in a 6x12 kennel and thay still spin, dig, bark and get bored. 30 minutes of training a day isn't enough, 2 mile walk, some OB, a break or 2 durring the day to play ball and still they get bored. Our pups get about 4 hours of crate time a day, for feeding about 2 hrs to keep them quiet in the a.m. About 2 hrs in the p.m. for another feeding and time for us to clean kennels and let them dry.

I would say 8 hours is ok in a kennel alone, but too long in a crate without a potty break or exersize.

Not what I would want for any dog....Breaks my heart. No mental stimulation, not enough excerise. You might suggest to move closer to work, so they can come home at lunch and give the pup a break. Or they now have Daycare, if they can not afford all 5 days, some days are better than none, or maybe a dogwalker to break the day up. A highschool student after school, or a college student might cut the cost.

Till just before it fouls the crate.

Ha ha h a ha 

This is why I HATE crating! People think it's a great way to keep the dog out from under foot so they can get on with their busy lives! EVERYBODY (vets, trainers, petshops, etc.) is telling people: CRATE YOUR DOG! And, of course, the poor dog is getting neglected...

I have to crate my pup until she's housebroken, and I know I can trust her not to trash the place when I'm not home, but once that's accomplished, she'll be free in the house, just like my adult male.