SearchQuestion about crating while at work
We brought a rescue home on Saturday. He's about two years old. He's crate trained, and will be in his crate while my husband and I are at work. He's used to that scenario from his foster home. My question is, sometimes I go home at lunch, and would it be bad to do this if Boomer is crated? When I go home, it's not for long, but I would have time to take him for a really quick walk, basically to do his business and come back. But if I do that several times, will he come to expect it and will I confuse him if I don't come? I really never need to come home, but sometimes I just feel like it. We didn't crate our last dog, and when I'd come home at lunch I'd just let him out in the yard and he'd come back right away to hang out with me. Towards the end of his life, I did come home every day b/c we were feeding him several small meals throughout the day. So anyway, what do you guys think?
I live just a few minutes away from where I work, and I try to go home for lunch every day mostly to have some mid-day time with my dogs. On those days that I have to spend most of my hour running and paying bills etc, I still run home for 10 minutes, to let them outside, might take a very quick walk, and just spend what quality time I can with them, and they are SO happy to see me, even if it's just long enough to give them all a hug, a scritch behind the ears, and tell them that I love them. Any time spent with your new dog will be time well spent. 
Katie, I think she just was making sure she wasn't going to confuse Boomer with some days coming home, other days not being able to to. But your points are good to share regardless.
He's already crate trained, so you don't have to worry about him having schedules or keeping to them. Come home when you can to let him out and on the days you are unable to make it home, he will have the ability to hold his bladder for the 8 hour period. Make sure when you do come home at night from work that you take him for a walk, play with him in the yard, and give him one-on-one attention for your first 30 to 60 minutes home. It really makes a difference with these guys as I'm sure you know.
The purpose of the crate is to give the dog a safe, controlled, environment. Maybe in a year, once he is fully adjusted to your home, you can try giving him the freedom of a bedroom and then the whole house. My dogs always are crate trained and then they graduate to more freedom for short periods of time to see how they do. If they are rescues, it takes them just as long to earn that as a puppy. A year may seem like a long time, but it allows for consistency.
Again, on the schedule: come home when you can for a quick potty break and a pat hello if that's all you can manage. 5, 10 minutes doesn't matter. On the days you are unable to head home, he will be okay. If you know in advance that it's going to be a long day you could always call local vets and see if there are any dog walkers they recommend. Some people do it for 5 to 10 dollars a 30 minute walk. It's a good option!
Thanks everyone. Yeah, I did just want to make sure that he wouldn't be confused if I came home some days and not others. I definately want to come home to see him, but some days I know I won't be able to. When I can, I'll have about a half hour. So when I said a short walk, I meant 10, 15 minutes.
My family crate trained our last puppy ( a mutt), and my grandma would come over to walk her during the day, but that was every day consistently, so that's why I was wondering if it would be confusing in dog language if I came some days and not other.
Our last dobe, who was also a rescue, was almost abnormally well behaved in the house. When my husband first got him, he tried to crate him b/c the rescue said that he "loved" the crate. Well, Clyde was able to escape from the crate. He didn't cause mischief or destruction, so my husband just let him stay out.
The rescue suggested doggie daycare a couple times a week for Boomer, so we're going to look into that.
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Mrs. von Dobers..
It is so important to let Boomer know that he is welcomed in your home and not just shuffled off to another foster home.
They are VELCRO DOGS and need their people..
Please, please PULEESE spend as much time as you possibly can with him at least for these first crucial months.. He is confused, unhappy and why in the world would you want to crate him all day long, with no human contact and expect him to feel good about where he is?
I don't mean to sound preachy or anything.. but ..think about him and how he must feel.. If I were adopted and brought into a new place, then put in a crate and 'abandoned' for hours on end. I doubt I would feel a part of the family..and
"When I go home, it's not for long, but I would have time to take him for a really quick walk, basically to do his business and come back. But if I do that several times, will he come to expect it and will I confuse him if I don't come? I really never need to come home, but sometimes I just feel like it."
...yes yes and YES please go home.. I doubt if I could wait eight hours to 'do my business' would you? ??Please give this sweet guy a loving and happy home.. It does take a bit of sacrifice, and sometimes we have to do what we just 'don't feel like' .
Sorry if this sounds pushy,. but I know that if I rescue a dog, I'm going to do what it takes to provide the essentials.. and PEOPLE are the essentials for a Doberman