Are you keeping your dog confined in one room while at work or away for the day? Here are my Dos and Don’ts for dog-proofing a room!
Last Updated 12/1/22
Keeping your dog confined in one room is a great alternative to crating your dog, but you must do it right for the comfort, safety, and wellness of your dog. Although keeping your dog in one room is still considered “confinement,” your dog will be happy to have extra space to move and walk around compared to a crate or cage.
Crate training is founded on the concept that dogs do not like to soil their beds; hence, the crate must be small enough so your dog will “hold it” until it’s convenient for you to take them out for potty breaks. If you believe that dogs love their crates, think again! Before my rescue, I was caged or “crated” for over 16-18 hours daily (during the day when my former human was at work AND overnight when he was sleeping). Let me first bark that prolonged solitary confinement SUCKS and may even be detrimental to a dog’s mental and physical health!
Now that I live the most spoiled rescue Yorkie life ever with the complete run of the house every single day, I cannot imagine going back to a crate life. However, I recognize that not every dog can have the same free-roaming lifestyle. WOOF, that’s why I’m here to bark out some important dog-proofing tips so my furry friends can live a safe, comfortable life without crates.
Can You Crate Train Your Older Dog? FIND OUT HERE!
If you choose not to give your dog the run of the house while you’re away (like I have all the time), providing your dog with additional space in a dog-proof room will give your dog the much needed mental and physical stimulation versus confining them to a crate or cage! And yes, dogs really do feel emotions like humans.
Sniff out my Dos and Don’ts when keeping a dog confined in one room below.
*Please note that this post contains affiliate links, and at no obligation or additional cost to you, my humans and I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. If you love the work that we do, you can show your support by making a purchase through an affiliate link. Proceeds will go towards feeding homeless dogs (and cats) along with improving the lives of the neglected and abused.
My DOs on keeping a dog confined in one room…
DO provide a room or area that is significantly larger than a crate to ensure utmost comfort and wellness for your dog.
DO think how HIGH your dog can jump, not just how big or strong your dog is.
DO consider safety first! Remove potential dangers: electrical cords, old carpet, household cleaners – anything that can get knocked over, easily swallowed, chewed, etc. DON’T overlook the everyday items – plastic bags, batteries, paper clips, rubber bands, etc.
DO think about your dog’s habits! For instance, does he or she tend to chew on almost everything? Remove any items that may trigger those habits.
DO keep your dog entertained! Leave toys and chews to keep him or her busy and mentally stimulated.
DO remove valuable items and belongings. Keep your nice shoes, bags, backpacks, jackets, and whatever you don’t want destroyed OUT OF REACH.
Why dogs don’t belong in the “backyard” – READ NOW!
DO provide fresh water and food for your dog.
DO keep unnecessary food out of reach (besides your dog’s meal during the time).
DO let your dog roam around the house when you return. Dogs are part of the family and should not be left alone for long periods.
DO leave a nice, comfy bed and blanket! Your dog’s comfort is KEY. If you prefer to use a crate, be sure to leave the door open so your dog can freely walk in and out.
Why should you spoil your dog? Because your dog deserves it!
DO give your dog daily exercise upon your return! You should provide your dog with at least 2 walks per day for physical, mental, and social stimulation IN ADDITION to potty breaks.
DO assure excellent ventilation in the room. No one wants to be trapped inside a closet! Make sure there is a slightly open window or air conditioning for easy breathing.
DO keep your dog safe by securing any openings or potential escape routes. If the window is slightly open, please make sure that it is securely LOCKED with a screen so your dog cannot escape. This is very impawtant if you have a bigger dog whose strength should not be underestimated.
DO make sure the area is comfortable and clean! DO clean your dog’s room routinely. DON’T keep trash around. Confined dogs tend to get bored and will find anything to keep themselves entertained.
DO keep plants out of reach! Besides potential destruction by your dog, plants may cause allergic reactions.
DO compare dog-proofing to baby-proofing! If an item is hazardous to a human baby, it’s likely also dangerous to your dog.
Get your dog gate HERE – pressure mounted, hardware mounted, or free standing!
Is your dog barking in the crate? Find out WHY now!
Now, for my DON’Ts on keeping a dog confined in one room…
DON’T forget to leave a pee pad or artificial lawn. DO train him to use a pee pad or artificial lawn indoors for accidents (but again, outdoor potty breaks and exercise are a MUST). Learn how to potty train your dog without a crate here. Find out how long dogs can “hold it”!
DON’T leave your dog alone for more than 4-5 hours each time. Again, dogs are social creatures and do not enjoy being by themselves all the time.
DON’T expect your dog to “hold it” for more than 8 hrs! It’s cruel to expect a dog to hold it for a long time until it’s convenient for you to take him or her out.
DON’T keep your dog inside a laundry room! Imagine your dog inhaling chemicals not to mention the excess toxic detergent on the floor.
DON’T keep your dog inside a garage! Due to toxic chemicals and vehicle emissions, car garages are not ideal places for dogs. In addition, tools, heavy equipment, ladder, unused cords, screws, nails, etc. should not be present in any dog’s living quarters. Furthermore, extreme temperatures pose a great danger to your dog; the garage can be as hot or as cold as the outside – nothing beats the comfort of living inside the house. Remember, dogs are family!
DON’T keep your dog inside the kitchen (unless you have a small dog or gigantic kitchen). The scent of food and trash may be too enticing for your dog, especially if he or she is hyperactive.
Learn the RIGHT way to train a dog!
DON’T allow your dog access to the toilet bowl. Drinking out of the toilet can be extremely harmful to your dog (plus it’s disgusting. YUCK.)!
DON’T keep different types of pets in a room together, especially new additions to the family (unless you truly believe that they get along). Whether it’s a dog and a cat or a dog and a rabbit, don’t keep them together in one room unattended. Even putting two dogs together may be risky if one dog is new to the family or tension exists between the two. Use your judgment!
Find out why dogs hate children + safety prevention tips!
DON’T neglect your dog’s nails! Keep them trimmed routinely, whether professionally or carefully by you (research thoroughly beforehand, safety first). Not only does it ensure comfort for your dog, but it also lowers the risk for destruction (e.g. scratched walls and furniture).
DON’T neglect your dog! I will bark over and over that your dog is part of the FAMILY! Treat him or her as a real family member. Prolonged solitary confinement is indisputably catastrophic to your dog’s well-being. Your dog is not a toy that you can put away whenever you are done or want out of sight. All dogs are unique individuals with feelings.
Get your dog gate HERE – pressure mounted, hardware mounted, or free standing!
If you’re unsure of how your dog will react when confined to a room, test it out for a few hours with Furbo Dog Cam! With a full HD camera, 160-degree wide-angle view (day & night), and 2-way audio, Furbo Dog Cam is arguably the best way for humans to monitor (a.k.a. “spy”) on their dogs and interact with them virtually. Heck, humans can see, talk, and even toss TREATS to their dogs through the camera. As you see what your dog is likely to do in confinement, you can make then adjustments accordingly.
Is it OK to call your dog “BABY”? Find out here!
WOOF, I hope you like all my Dos and Don’ts when keeping a dog confined in one room! Got a tip? BARK AT ME! Sharing is caring. For more dog care tips, put your furry paw HERE.
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Markin’ it up,
Roger Wellington a.k.a. The Doob
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