[JockoManning]

I commute and spend long hours at work. One dog is five y.o. (35 pounds), and the other is four y.o. (55 pounds). They are mutts, terrier / lab / spaniel mix. They are used to having someone home with them, but that's no longer possible -- their owner died and I am the next of kin. I must immediately decide how to best care for these two while I am at work; I would appreciate FReepers telling me what has worked in their experience. The dogs have never been crated. Is it possible to acclimate them to crates at their age? Is eleven hours a day too long to leave them? Thanks for your help.

[ProudVet77]

There's a lot to consider. I take it the dogs are used to only a single person being around. Being alone might be tough for them. We have humane shelters here in MA that will NEVER put an animal down (Buddy Dog, they are in my will). If you can find one where you live, talk to them. They can help you decide, if not a vet.
Dogs take well to being in a cage of a decent size. They have a denning instinct. Put some cover over the crates and they will feel safe. If you can, maybe an outside dog run. Again they still need a "private space".

[JockoManning]

I need to buy the crates. Any suggestions on WHICH BRAND OF DOG CRATE and what sizes would be best?

Hair of the Dog, could you ping your dog list?

[Jemian]

Can you imagine having to 11 hours before using the bathroom? Do you live in an apartment? Otherwise, please consider fencing in your backyard or a portion of it so the dogs can be outside during the day. Or, can you search for someone to adopt them?

They are probably a little confused now with their owner no longer on the scene. I would recommend keeping them together. Dogs are pack animals and like each other's company.

This is a rough thing you're having to deal with. My prayers go up for you.

[TexasCajun]

Crates are way to confining for a long day.

I suggest you go to a big pet store and buy a portable, adjustable pen. And you might need something to make a top for it, so they don't jump over.

Before I moved in my motherinlaw, our two shitzoo's spent all day in Doggie Day-Care!

[mtbopfuyn]

Lock yourself in a trunk for 11 hours and see how you like it. Crating them for that long every day is inhumane. Give them away to a good home.

[shattered]

Can you put at gate at the kitchen or laundry room to keep them confined to 1 room?

My neighbors have a doggie door going into their laundry room that their dogs use and they are happy with it.

Eleven hours, IMO, is way too long to be crated. Good luck with them!

[Gingersnap]

I guess I'm a pretty experienced dog owner: currently 4 dogs, been a volunteer, etc.

You have options. If you want to keep the dogs, install a gate across your laundry room, kitchen or whatever and keep the dogs in there with toys, water and chewies. Eleven hours is way too long to crate a dog. Crates are a training tool used during house-breaking, not a method of permanent confinement.

You could also use a gate to confine them near a back door and then install a dog door, if your yard is fenced.

If you are not really a "dog person", please consider letting someone who is adopt them. Look up animal shelters and explain your problem. You may need to keep the dogs as "foster" home until they are adopted.

Try your friends and relatives (even if they live far away). Someone else may really want those dogs and the airfare is cheaper than you think.

As a last resort, you can place the dogs in a no-kill shelter and kick in a few bucks every month to help defray costs.

[JockoManning]

thanks for the input.

I AM A DOG PERSON. Very much a dog person.

My commute is so long that I won't be home during the day; I could hire the neighbor kids to check on them though.

Cyborg, thanks for the link to the doggie pshrink. I am attached to these dogs and will try my best to give them a good decent life, full of love and healthy stuff.

Thanks to all.

[austingirl]

11 hours is way too long. There are services that will come to the house and let your dogs out during the day. Also check with an at-home neighbor or student.