re: Dog Lovers Help!

Quoting Meep:“ They can if they have to. You can get any dog to love their kennel. You will have to crate train them, ... [snip!] ... it in for 3 hours, 3 month old for 4, etc. Once they're older I wouldn't recommend making them hold it for longer than 8 hours.”

I was hoping you'd answer! The one we want is 10 months old, we don't want a puppy. Thanks for the "pee rule of thumb", I'll definitely keep that in mind!

Quoting Meep:“ As for crate training. The crate is their home, their den, their comfort zone. They must always feel ... [snip!] ... Feed them in their crate, give them treats in their crate, etc. That's "their" spot that no one else can bother them.”

I agree. We dont use a crate, but our dog has her own spot and its her pillow bed.

Quoting Madison'sMommy:“ I'm not trying to sound like a biatch, but I don't really think it's fair to have a dog if you are going ... [snip!] ... a part of your family and you "love" them then you should treat them like it. again, I'm not trying to be mean I'm just saying.”

It makes them feel safe and secure.
Not everyone wants to sleep with their dog.
Some people have big dogs and cant sleep with them.

I personally have a little dog and she sleeps with me and my baby.
She would hate me forever if I put her in the crate but I never trained her to do it.

Quoting Madison'sMommy:“ I'm not trying to sound like a biatch, but I don't really think it's fair to have a dog if you are going ... [snip!] ... a part of your family and you "love" them then you should treat them like it. again, I'm not trying to be mean I'm just saying.”

Well when you have a dog that chews up everything in sight the moment you walk out the door or go to bed crating is pretty much necessary. As much as I love my dog I don't want to replace all my things every time she decides to make them her chew toy. Not to mention she can't go to work with me  

Quoting Punk Rock Princess {EBFB}:“ I wouldn't want her to sleep outside, but for a short time it may be necessary. I wouldn't want to ... [snip!] ... shelter today talked about them like it was standard to crate them on a regular basis so I was just wondering..   Thanks!”

labs are very energetic & bouncy ahah
they are like children IMO.
sometimes they are better to kennel if they are being left inside
because they will tear stuff up
until they get older

Quoting Punk Rock Princess {EBFB}:“ We've only ever had cats   . We want to get a chocolate lab or a blood hound. My questions are: Can ... [snip!] ... they sleep outside? Do they like being in kennels/crates? If they sleep inside do they have to go out at night to pee? TIA!”

My chocolate lab sleeps inside but I have heard of labs and blood hounds both sleeping outside. She hates to be in a kennel, and she goes to pee before I go to bed and doesn't go again until we get up in the morning.

Quoting Madison'sMommy:“ I'm not trying to sound like a biatch, but I don't really think it's fair to have a dog if you are going ... [snip!] ... a part of your family and you "love" them then you should treat them like it. again, I'm not trying to be mean I'm just saying.”

No, I agree. She would only have to sleep outside short term, until we get back to MD. And I've never heard of "crating" a dog until today, that's why I was asking.  

Quoting Punk Rock Princess {EBFB}:“ I wouldn't want her to sleep outside, but for a short time it may be necessary. I wouldn't want to ... [snip!] ... shelter today talked about them like it was standard to crate them on a regular basis so I was just wondering..   Thanks!”

A lot of people use crates, but it really isn't necessary.. just do your research and be diligent about training.. always reward the dog for good behavior.
Sleeping outside once in awhile I don't see a problem with.. I just hate when people keep them out there 24/7.. it's like what is the point of having a dog.
Good luck.. hope it works out for you!

Quoting Punk Rock Princess {EBFB}:“ We've only ever had cats   . We want to get a chocolate lab or a blood hound. My questions are: Can ... [snip!] ... they sleep outside? Do they like being in kennels/crates? If they sleep inside do they have to go out at night to pee? TIA!”

all puppies will have to go out at night, btu as they get older they shouldn't have to.

It's not good for any dog to be tied up outside for long at all! ever. They go crazy and develop neurotic tendencies.


Any dog that you get from puppyhood and crate train will generally learn to enjoy their time in the crate at night and when you are away. Some will use it as a quiet place when they want to rest. My dad's dog does.

Both breeds you mentioned are VERY high energy and need lots of exercise and walking.

Our dog is a lab/terrier mix and is very hyperactive. It's been trying on my patience. I am very in love with this dog, but it's hard to have a toddler and pup

Quoting Meep:“ Crate training is something any dog lover should do. It keeps the dog from getting into plants, food, ... [snip!] ... dangerous for them when you cannot supervise. I think it's not fair to have a dog if you're not going to crate train them.”

our house is puppy and baby proof so we dont crate train.

Why it is a Good Idea:
The crate is a safe, secure environment for your dog when you can not be watching her. Once dogs are used to the crate, they start to view as their "den" and feel comforted by the surrounding walls. A crate is a place to go when your dog feels stressed out by any situation, visiting children, adults, a lot of activity in the home, etc. Your dog should never be bothered by anyone while she is in the crate; this is her haven.
Crate training is ideal for dogs who suffer separation anxiety, have house training problems, busy households, and young puppies who don't have control over their bladder and bowels yet.

Quoting Punk Rock Princess {EBFB}:“ I was hoping you'd answer! The one we want is 10 months old, we don't want a puppy. Thanks for the "pee rule of thumb", I'll definitely keep that in mind!”

Ooo a great age. You're pretty much past puppyadolescencewhere they're not complete terrors lol. Both breeds will need a LOT ofexercisethough. 2, 1 hour walks a day imo though others might recommend more or less.

I guess some dogs can feel like its their home. I guess I just don't know because our dog is trained not to get into things, she doesn't go in the house, and she has a bed where she knows its her own. but she is still free to walk around or do whatever she wants when we're not home. I mean what about gating off your kitchen or something so they have more room when you're gone or at night?

Quoting sweet love:“ our house is puppy and baby proof so we dont crate train.”

Our house is animal and baby proof until they find a way to unproof it lol.

Quoting i love my sunshine:“ all puppies will have to go out at night, btu as they get older they shouldn't have to. It's not good ... [snip!] ... is very hyperactive. It's been trying on my patience. I am very in love with this dog, but it's hard to have a toddler and pup”

I thought that bloodhounds were lazy? Lol, I want a big, low energy, friendly dog. When I said lab, I was talking about a specific one. She's 10 months old and extremely calm/mellow. But if we can't get her then we will wait until we can find another big, low energy, friendly dog.