-odie sleeps in our bedroom on his dog beg at night
-i get up at 5:30am and take him out and then feed him
-he goes out again before i leave at 7:00am to go to work
-i come home during my break between classes at 10:00 and i crate him again at 10:45 to return to work
-i get home at 3:00pm and he stays out of the crate until the next morning when i have to put him up before i go to work.

so, he is crated from 7:00-10:00 and 10:45-3:00

my problem with this schedule is that is when i come home at 10:00 and let him out, it seems like such a short time before i put him up again and he looks confused. should i skip that potty time? i am off all summer and then i go back to work in the fall but i won't have that break during the day like i have now. of course, i will still follow the same schedule in the summer so he is still used to it when i return to work in the fall. i need suggestions... what does everybody else do? i just feel like i am teasing him by letting him out for 30 or so minutes and then crating him again.

i feel that crating him is the best thing for him and our house while we are gone... he is very shy and gets spooked easily.

i just want to know what everybody suggests that i do since we won't have the 10:00am break luxury next fall. thanks!



traci

You're schedule is fine, and I would bet he'd be fine not getting the 10am potty break. My boy Cash use to be crated from 6:30-5:30 everyday except weekends when he had complete run of the house. Now after 2 years I finally got rid of the crate (more my hangup than his). Plus at the track they were use to being crated then let out for 30-45mins and put back in, so thats not teasing.

Just my thoughts...hope everything else is going well!

Keith

I would drop the 10:00 am potty time, it might be causing more confusion now and he really doesn't need it.
My guys hate when I come home quick, let them out the take off again.
They are like "what the heck?"

You are giving him such a loving home, he just needs more time to feel safe. My spooky one took almost a year to really attach to us.
They keep changing the first year, it is so cool to watch them evolve and find their personality. And so satisfying to see them learn to love and trust you.
Hang in there and don't stress out!!! the bottom line is that they just have to deal with our schedules. Don't ever forget what a great home you are giving him.
That is what is most important.

just curious... is there anybody else that crates their greyhound while they are at work?

I have never crated my girls!

Traci, My Angel gets crated while i'm at work. I come home for lunch everyday to eat and let her out. She doesn't seem to mind, she knows the routine now... I think it is fine, they adjust to different situations, and become creatures of habit.

My three have never been crated. They learned to live without them when they went through their training in the Womens prison system.

Gary

i didn't want to start a crate vs no crate discussion... sorry about that!!! i was just wondering how long everybody's greyhounds were staying inside, in a crate, etc while everybody is at work.

It's fine that you asked. Please, never hesitate to ask anything.

Considering that Odie is a bit on the spooky side yet, it is probably wise to crate him. Also, he most likely feels more safer and more secure in the crate when he's alone.

The "confusion" is probably more like "aw, man... it's good to have you here, I'm going to miss you, but ok." You're his lead and "hero". "

My thought is this:
Since he'll have to be crated all day in the future and Odie, thus far, is slow to be comfortable with change, it might be easier for everyone to just leave him all day. You schedule isn't that long and many hounds are fine being crated all day. He'll have an idea of what to expect. You can try it and and can always go back.

Each hound is an individual, just like us humans. What works and is comfortable for one, may not be right with another. You are the one who's working with your dog(s); you are the one with him/them; so, you are the one who needs to judge what is right in your situation.

You have been so thoughtful and caring about Odie's needs, and you have put a lot into integrating him into your family. He's a lucky boy

thank you!!!!! i appreciate you helping me and giving me a non bias opinion. i do believe that every dog is different and we have to do what is best for them based on their personality and needs. at this point, i could never leave odie alone in the house to run and do as he pleases. he gets nervous by everything so i feel it is for his safety and comfort to be in the crate. he has never refused to go into the crate. he most of the time prefers it.


thanks again!
traci

Jacey stays in her crate while we are at work. (8:00 am-ish to 5:00 pm) We have considered leaving her out, (we've had her for 5 months), but with all of the mischief she gets into....well, it's best that she stays in the crate for now where we know she is safe. We have left her out on the weekends for about 6 hrs without incident. I really wish I could just bring her to work with me! Haha! Good luck!

Gabby