I used to own a female Boston and gave her away at about 5 months because of guilt that I couldn't spend more time with her. I am out almost every weekday for about 10 hours. I spent tons of money giving her the best stuff, medical expense and spoiled her. After doing more research in this forum, I am really starting to miss her and feel that I may had too much expectation too soon, but mostly guilt-feeling that leaving her alone at home all day. Many friends told me that lots of dogs are at home all day alone and they are perfectly fine. I want to talk to the new owner see if they'll let her have litters. In that case, I definitely want one, or maybe I'll just get another one. This time with more patience and less guilt. Before I do that, I need some advise on the followings:

1) I read often in the forum and other training material that crate training is the best. But can a puppy be put in a crate for 7-10 hours long without the potty breaks? Is the wired mesh crate better or the plastic carrying kind with less transparency which will make it more like a den? Should the crate be located in our living area where she can see us or off the living area where it's quieter? I used a dog mattress next to my sofa as a supplement which she really didn't care for, but looked great to us humans. Would this confuse her?

2) I used to put her in a large enclosed bathroom with a plastic carrying type of crate with the door open and wee wee pad at the corner. She inconsistenly used the pad (guess I should've been happy considering she's a puppy) but I came home see her made a mess with the shredded pad and poops all over, suspecting maybe even eating it. I guess it's due to the bordom. I am type of a person hates uncleaniness. So, this relates to the first question, if a puppy can not hold potty in the crate or in an enclosed area such as my large bathroom all day, what do you do during your absence?

3) I don't like to sleep with dogs and hate the unknown that she could 've made mess or accidents somewhere in the house. Can I put her in a crate all night, even when she is an adult? Should I turn on a light in her sleeping area? I wonder all the owners with matured-Bostons, where do your dogs sleep at night?

I am beginning to think maybe I should get a dog only when I'm retired or maybe should get a maid just for this dog. LOL. :?

Along with other issues, the above 3 issues made me guilty the most before. Please advise. Thanks.

In regards to issue #3, my bostons do sleep in their crates at night. I have 3 bostons (ages almost 5, 3, 6 months). They don't seem to mind. At night when we are getting ready for bed, they go right into their crates without a fight. I use the wire crates. I think many will agree that they feel safe in their crates.

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Danielle

Hi Laudaa-

Those are all excellent questions and perfectly legitimate concerns. Unfortunately I can't address every one of the issues right now, but I will says that a puppy IS going to make PLENTY of messes no matter how well prepared you think you are.

The trick is that you must be absolutely vigilant in your training and in six months or so, your dog should behave. As far as the crate goes, I'd recommed a standard, wired crate and I don't think it would be an issue to leave your dog in it all day as long as a) you expect to come home and clean up messes and b) you give the dog plenty of attention and exercise when you're home.

As far as sleeping is concerned, I also didn't want to wake up to accidents around my house, so I made Jake sleep in his crate and right at about 9 months or so, I started trusting him to sleep in a bed outside of his crate. Luckily, he hasn't had a single accident since I've given him that freedom and now he even sleeps in my bed most of the time.

I hope that's at least enough food for thought and I wish you the best. Let us know what you decide and if we can answer any other questions.

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Boston Terrier Forums

For my job I have to spend at least 1 night out of town and I was nervous to leave my Chubs alone for 7am to 6:30 pm until someone could come and check on him. I would leave him in a room with a puppy pad. He would used the puppy pads and then shred it to pieces and eat his own poo at times. Also, he scratch the mess out of the door. I guess he was bored. However, I knew this was the only way b/c he would used it in his crate which I did not want. After some weeks he learn to hold it longer and longer. Now, the days I am gone he is in his crate til' someone comes in that day to let him out to use the restroom.

Thanks so much for your input. Just to confirm, when you guys say crate, it's the wired mesh kind, right? I thought the plastic carrying kind with less see through would make her feel more secure. Also, where do you put the crate? Should I put it in my living area where she can see our activities or somewhere secluded? :roll: