My DOs on keeping a dog confined in one room…
DO provide a room or area that is significantly larger than a crate to ensure utmost comfort and wellness for your dog.
DO think how HIGH your dog can jump, not just how big or strong your dog is.
DO consider safety first! Remove potential dangers: electrical cords, old carpet, household cleaners – anything that can get knocked over, easily swallowed, chewed, etc. DON’T overlook the everyday items – plastic bags, batteries, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.
DO think about your dog’s habits! For instance, does he or she tend to chew on almost everything? Remove any items that may trigger those habits.
DO keep your dog entertained! Leave toys and chews to keep him or her busy and mentally stimulated.
DO remove valuable items and belongings. Keep your nice shoes, bags, backpacks, jackets, and whatever you don’t want destroyed OUT OF REACH.
DO provide fresh water and food for your dog.
DO keep unnecessary food out of reach (besides your dog’s meal during the time).
DO let your dog roam around the house when you return. Dogs are part of the family and should not be left alone for long periods.
DO leave a nice, comfy bed and blanket! Your dog’s comfort is KEY. If you prefer to use a crate, be sure to leave the door open so your dog can freely walk in and out.
DO give your dog daily exercise upon your return! You should provide your dog with at least 2 walks per day for physical, mental, and social stimulation IN ADDITION to potty breaks.
DO assure excellent ventilation in the room. No one wants to be trapped inside a closet! Make sure there is a slightly open window or air conditioning for easy breathing.
DO keep your dog safe by securing any openings or potential escape routes. If the window is slightly open, please make sure that it is securely LOCKED with a screen so your dog cannot escape. This is very impawtant if you have a bigger dog whose strength should not be underestimated.
DO make sure the area is comfortable and clean! DO clean your dog’s room routinely. DON’T keep trash around. Confined dogs tend to get bored and will find anything to keep themselves entertained.
DO keep plants out of reach! Besides potential destruction by your dog, plants may cause allergic reactions.
DO compare dog-proofing to baby-proofing! If an item is hazardous to a human baby, it’s likely also dangerous to your dog.
Is your dog barking in the crate? Find out WHY now!
Now, for my DON’Ts on keeping a dog confined in one room…
DON’T leave your dog alone for more than 4-5 hours each time. Again, dogs are social creatures and do not enjoy being by themselves all the time.
DON’T expect your dog to “hold it” for more than 8 hrs! It’s cruel to expect a dog to hold it for a long time until it’s convenient for you to take him or her out.
DON’T keep your dog inside a laundry room! Imagine your dog inhaling chemicals not to mention the excess toxic detergent on the floor.
DON’T keep your dog inside a garage! Due to toxic chemicals and vehicle emissions, car garages are not ideal places for dogs. In addition, tools, heavy equipment, ladder, unused cords, screws, nails, etc. should not be present in any dog’s living quarters. Furthermore, extreme temperatures pose a great danger to your dog; the garage can be as hot or as cold as the outside – nothing beats the comfort of living inside the house. Remember, dogs are family!
DON’T keep your dog inside the kitchen (unless you have a small dog or gigantic kitchen). The scent of food and trash may be too enticing for your dog, especially if he or she is hyperactive.
DON’T allow your dog access to the toilet bowl. Drinking out of the toilet can be extremely harmful to your dog (plus it’s disgusting. YUCK.)!
DON’T keep different types of pets in a room together, especially new additions to the family (unless you truly believe that they get along). Whether it’s a dog and a cat or a dog and a rabbit, don’t keep them together in one room unattended. Even putting two dogs together may be risky if one dog is new to the family or tension exists between the two. Use your judgment!
DON’T neglect your dog’s nails! Keep them trimmed routinely, whether professionally or carefully by you (research thoroughly beforehand, safety first). Not only does it ensure comfort for your dog, but it also lowers the risk for destruction (e.g. scratched walls and furniture).
DON’T neglect your dog! I will bark over and over that your dog is part of the FAMILY! Treat him or her as a real family member. Prolonged solitary confinement is indisputably catastrophic to your dog’s well-being. Your dog is not a toy that you can put away whenever you are done or want out of sight. All dogs are unique individuals with feelings.
If you’re unsure of how your dog will react when confined to a room, test it out for a few hours with Furbo Dog Cam! With a full HD camera, 160-degree wide-angle view (day & night), and 2-way audio, Furbo Dog Cam is arguably the best way for humans to monitor (a.k.a. “spy”) on their dogs and interact with them virtually. Heck, humans can see, talk, and even toss TREATS to their dogs through the camera. As you see what your dog is likely to do in confinement, you can make then adjustments accordingly.
WOOF, I hope you like all my Dos and Don’ts when keeping a dog confined in one room! Got a tip? BARK AT ME! Sharing is caring. For more dog care tips, put your furry paw HERE.
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Tammy Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications including Womans Day, Marie Claire, Adirondack Life and Self. She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.
Pups should not be confined to a section of the house all the time. After all, they need to become part of the family and thats not going to happen if theyre always locked away from the humans in the home. So when youre home and you can keep an eye on him, let the pup run free. This is a good time to teach him proper behavior, such as teaching him “leave it” if he tries to chew on the coffee table or dig into the flower bed.
According to Canis Major, giving your dog free run of the house makes it more likely hell have accidents when youre going through the housebreaking process. If you have carpeting or hardwood floors, this could be quite damaging — not just to the floors but also to your wallet. Keeping him confined to a certain area might make the housebreaking process easier too, because puppies dont like to go to the bathroom where they eat or sleep. Using a small area as the living premises might encourage him to hold it for longer periods of time.
Keeping puppy confined to an area of your home is a good way to keep him from chewing on electrical cords or swallowing harmful things. That doesnt mean Rover always should be locked away. Its important to find middle ground so you have a well-rounded puppy who knows the rules.
Confining the puppy overnight is especially important for safety reasons. You certainly dont want the puppy roaming around in the dark. Also, the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers points out that puppies have very small bladders, so they will need to relieve themselves throughout the night. If you give them free run of the house, theyll find a place to do it. If you confine them at night, theyre more likely to wake you up and ask to be taken outside, which is essential to start learning when and where to go to the bathroom.