Guest Sarah2214 Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 When we first brought our Piper home 8 weeks ago, we placed her kennel in our front room. We've never really spent much time in that room, and figured this would be an ideal place to put her kennel since it's tucked away in a quiet place, and away from the cats so they would have time to adjust. She's adjusted so well to our home and to our cats, and we're beginning to feel that maybe it's time for her kennel to move into the "kitty room," since the front room was only supposed to be a temporary location for it. My cats have adjusted very well to her, and Piper has also very well adjusted to them. My husband is a little concerned that the situation would be pretty traumatic for both Piper and the cats. I'm not sure what to do. I expect Piper to need a little bit of an adjustment period with this, but I think the cats would handle this transition fairly well. I should also note that, during the day, the "kitty room" is gated off so the cats can be (mostly) free-fed during the day, and so I don't have to worry about Piper potentially messing with their litter. Piper only ever spends time in her kennel when we're away at work and when she's being fed, so I seem to think it would be alright for her to be kenneled in that room for those times of the day. My question is, would this be a wise decision? If not the "kitty room," then where would you recommend placing her kennel? I don't want a catastrophe on my hands, so any advice would be helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandiandwe Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 If the kitty room is gated off from Piper when you aren't there, can't you just give her a Truly Excellent Bed in that room for when you're all there and leave the kennel where it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 My thoughts exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobesmom Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 My beliefs on crating are as-necessary, and least restrictive environment. I'm a firm believer that crates are a transition tool. Why kennel if the dog doesn't need it? It's fine to gate of a cat-room and restrict access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruitycake Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 You are likely going to need to do more dog proofing the litterbox if it is open to the room where she will be able to spend any time. Either move it to a room or area that is permanently off limits to the dog (babygate with a "small pet door" works well, or babygate raised off the floor - as long as there isn't a great incentive for the dog to get in there). Cats often don't like being disturbed, or trapped/cornered in a litterbox, and if the dog ever goes to investigate when they're doing business you could have a problem with their boycotting it in the future. Not to mention most dogs love litterbox crunchies. Yuck. I agree that putting in a really nice, comfortable bed in the room where you'll be spending time with her might be a way to go. She's got her "time to be alone" room to herself, and her "this is the greatest bed ever" when she's hanging with the fam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Baby gate across the kitty room door, with a space at the bottom for the cats, and ditch the crate. She should be more than housebroken after 8 weeks. The crate is a tool, not a requirement for the rest of the dog's life. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sobesmom Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 So how is it going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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