Hey everyone! I have a sweet 1-year-old Dutch Shepherd that we adopted about a month ago. He’s super well trained already, which is awesome, but I’m a bit worried about leaving him out of his crate when we’re not home. He’s a 60lb athletic guy, and even though he seems fine in the crate, I’m scared of accidents happening, like chewing cords or getting into something he shouldn’t. I’m curious if anyone has set up a larger indoor play area for their bigger dogs? What materials did you use, and how did it go?
Honestly, unless you get an outdoor kennel, it might be tough to keep him contained. Baby gates could work, but they might not hold up against a big dog. If he’s happy in the crate, maybe just stick with that for now?
@Jai
Yeah, I think sticking with the crate is a safe option for now. He’s still young and might get mischievous soon!
I’ve always had big dogs, and I’ve had to puppy-proof my home every time I adopt. It’s a bit more than babyproofing but not too crazy. If you want to try an indoor playpen, look for ones with removable panels so you can customize the size. Richell makes some great ones, but make sure they’re high enough if your dog jumps!
@Sidney
Great tip! I’ll check out Richell. I want something sturdy that he can’t knock over.
I have two German Shepherds, and we crate them during the day for the reasons you mentioned. It’s safer for them. If you can, maybe build a dog room, but be careful with jumpers like mine! We focus on playtime when we’re home, like sniff walks and hide-and-seek games.
@Sky
I love the idea of hide-and-seek! I’ll have to try that for some fun indoor time.
If you’re worried about leaving him too long in a crate, consider puzzle feeders or Kongs to keep him busy when you’re away. I stuff mine with treats, and it keeps them entertained!
Jesse said:
If you’re worried about leaving him too long in a crate, consider puzzle feeders or Kongs to keep him busy when you’re away. I stuff mine with treats, and it keeps them entertained!
That sounds perfect! I’ll definitely give that a shot.
Just remember that it’s important for large breeds to have downtime too. It helps them relax and not get overstimulated!
Gregory said:
Just remember that it’s important for large breeds to have downtime too. It helps them relax and not get overstimulated!
Good point! I’ll make sure to balance playtime and rest.