Crating my Dog - Advice Pleeaassee!

[WoodlandWoman]

We put a pen in our basement for our dogs. Over the years, it's been great for us. If you're trying to potty train a dog, being confined to the very small space of a crate can be helpful. If the dog is already potty trained, but could be destructive if loose in a house, a pen can give them more room to move around in and stretch their legs, while keeping them and the house safe. It's kind of nice not to have large or multiple crates sitting around in the main living area, too. When I say, "Let's go to bed!" the dogs run downstairs to the pen.

 

[thebritt]

A good run before you leave is really important - will she run with you while you ride a bike? I don't know how the weather is in Kansas (snow and ice?), but I used to ride my bike while my sheltie/aussie mix would run alongside (for the most part). Just be sure you don't loop the leash around your wrist while you ride...I dislocated my shoulder that way!!! It all comes down to exercise, exercise, exercise! A tired dog is a good dog!
That pen that sgtmom suggested sure would have been handy when I was in college with my sheltie mix (Breezy was her name).

 

[Firework]

Quote:
Yes, I think "4 the birds" has suggested the most ideal pen, but that doesn't sound practical for you or your dog with the eating the wall deal. I agree that you should pen her up some way, and I do think you should really try to exercise her and get her all tired before you leave. Is there a way you could do a try run? I would leave her in her pen just like you would do when you're at school, only be home and pretend like you're not (don't play with her/talk to her or anything like that). That way you can see what she does, if she's really restless or what. You could also start getting her use to being in her pen by putting her in for longer and longer each day. Just my thoughts.