Re: Outside or Crate

In Reply to: Outside or Crate
Posted by:  Mike Jacobs
Posted on:  June 28, 2001 at 16:50:07

: I have a JRT that is seven months old. For the last three months, there has been someone home with him, but that is about to change. I am changing shifts and will work day work now. Therefore, he will be home alone during the day. I have a fenced in backyard where he won't be able to get out of. Is it better for me to leave him in the backyard with food and water, or should I leave him in the crate during the day?

------------------ Response Area -------------------

Hi Mike.

I would recomend you start crate training your jrt.

Leaving your puppy outside can be dangerous. It can get stolen; run away;if someone opens the gate run out; mistreated by who knows who and left to its own devices can get into trouble. Also should he miss you terribly, he may bark and bother the neighbors.

I try and tell people that their jack is a valuable possession. Given that, how many valuable things do you leave unattended in the yard all day while you are gone?

Yes, there are exceptions. I have no idea where you live. But, in many neighborhodds, this would not work.

Also your jrt is but a pup. He is going to miss not having someone around. That alone is enough for him to adjust to. Why then change his surroundings. He needs to have some sense of security. What better way than to be inside on his favorite blanket and with dad's shirt in his crate so he can smell you while you are away.

You want him to adjust to the transition well. Leaving him outside will not do it, if he is used to being inside.

Remember to go slow with the crate training -- he is just a pup and should not be in there for many hours. So you may want to start with keeping him in the crate just a bit and then in a safe area in the house.

Good luck,