Crating older dogs

[Giny]

Steve thinks I'm mean because I'm thinking of crating Tilly and Kassie while we are gone. Reason, well they both are still not 100% reliable on their potty. But he's the first to complain when he steps into a pee puddle.

Do you guys think that re-crating is a bad idea? It's only for a few hours while I'm gone. They do well at night so they won't be crated then.

We adopted Tilly as an adult, 6 years old. She lived as a breeder dog until then and wasn't housebroken so I had to retrain her like she was a puppy. She does pretty well most of the times, does let us know when she has to go, but when we are gone she doesn't wait and just potties in the house.

Kassie, we've had her since she was a puppy and I think she'll never be 100% reliable. I don't know what else to do to train her.

Boomer is 100% reliable, so I don't worry about him. I actually had to train him to use weewee pads because his illness causes him to go potty often, even during the night. Kassie and Tilly wont do the weewee pads. I don't know why Boomer is easier to train for this then they are.

Reason why it's a must right now is that we are putting in some cherry wood floors in the kitchen and this is where they tend to go potty.

Any other solutions?

[Dogs6]

If they have been crate trained brfore it should be alright and even if they haven't as long as you go slowly there shouldn't be a problem

[Giny]

Tilly was crated a bit when we first had her. Kassie was only crated when she needed to be due to recuperation from injuries.

I crated Tilly this morning for a few minutes while I drove my son to school and she seemed ok when I got back. Not traumatized or anything.

[FoxyWench]

i think its a good idea and may actually help get them a little more potty reliable while your out.

my other suggestion would be to put them in a doggy safe room.

[MericoX]

You could put them in like your bathroom with a baby gate across the door.

I bet Kassie wouldn't mind being crated with her bed and a weewee pad... she seemed fine in it the first time we came to you and Kiba wanted to eat her. LOL

[Doberluv]

It sounds like a good plan to me. If you have to gradually re-condition them or freshen them up to being comfortable in the crate, you can do like you did this morning...and even when you're at home for short little stays in the crate. Be sure to give them some treats when they're in there or put a couple of things for them to chew on IF they don't tend to fight over things....and only if. If they don't get along all the time or have squabbles, use one crate for each. My little Chis adore each other and never fight and they can be together in a medium sized crate....although I never use on in the house anymore. They just don't need it. But if I had to, they'd be fine with it.

[PoodleMommy]

I dont think it is mean... until you put in the floors, I dont know how long that is, you could try building up the time they are in there if you think you will have an issue.

Put a nice blanket in there, a toy or something else to keep them busy and I am sure they will just sleep anyway!

[Brandyb]

Recrating is perfectly fine, especially if they've been in the crate in the past. There are instances where I need to re-crate my 5 year old big guy (95% reliable), he knows what it is, and there is never an issue. I've recrated Brandy, 7 years old (who is 300% reliable and would die before making a mistake) at times when I've needed. No issues. You may want to leave a kong filled with goodies or something along those lines in with your pups, and feed them in the crate for a while so they get reacquainted and remain comfortable in there.

[Giny]

Kassie actually loves the crate when she's in the shop with me. I think she'd get used to, if not love, the crate while I'm away. I had to work a couple hours today and Tilly stayed in her crate, I gave her treats, and she seemed ok with it. Kassie came to the shop with me, there are some clients where I allow Kassie to come in with me. Plus I ordered her a new crate and it won't be in till tomorrow. Tilly's crate, the one she came with when we adopted her, had a really nice set of bed padding, side bumpers and cover and I was so please to find another one for Kassie's crate. The girls will match. lol

[Giny]

Oh and too add. What do I do with a cat who thinks I'm taking over his crate? ROFL He slept in it last night, I had to take him out this morning and as I'm typing he's set up nice in comfy in the crate. HA!