He's a Dogs Dog

Alright, I'll be getting a Cane Corso Mastiff puppy soon (yes, BIG dog with TONS of energy!) and I was wondering on how to keep him busy in his crate for the day. we have 2 cats, and he won't be fully trained obviously (I'll be getting him over the summer so by time I head back to school, he'll be 4-5 months, so he's still too young to be left inside alone but we'll have had a good 2 months of training and getting him adjusted, don't worry).

Anyways, I know dogs should be worn out before putting them in their crates, and I'm wondering what you do and how you keep them busy during the day? before I was thinking on going on a 15 minute walk, but now that seems like nothing for when he becomes 6 months! Do you think a nice, long walk to the local park and playing ball for awhile would do the trick? Maybe even some running? or what? I'm willing to go out for as long as needed in the morning for my dog.

And tips on keeping him entertained? It'll be about 7 hours while I'm gone for school. (yes, I know, long time for a pup! but he'll be housetained for the most part and he won't be too little as to he'll need to be let out every few hours so I think it will be okay if I come home and take him for a good walk.) I know stuffing a kong with treats is a good way, throwing in a bone another, but I need some other things that will guarenteed keep him busy as to not drive him stir-crazy!

Thanks!

It's not a good idea to put anything in his cage and leave him unattended. if he chokes there will be nobody there to help him.

7 hours is a long time. The best idea is either to send him to doggy daycare or have someone come in twice a day for a walk and bathroom break.

He'll need AT LEAST an hour walk in the Morning before going in the crate.

You should also consider having a neighbor or pet-sitter come in mid-day to let him out of the crate, walk him and play with him. I have nothing about him being in the crate while you're gone, but it will be a lot easier on him if someone can come in and break up his day a little bit, instead of leaving him in it for 7-8 hours during the day and again at night.

Housetrained? Maybe. but capable of holding his bladdar and bowels for 7 hours at a time? Nope. Not at 4 months. And the general rule is one should not leave any dog in any crate for longer than 4 hours. You WILL need to come home midday, or enlist someone to come over for you, and take this dog out.

He will need to be exercised both before and after crating, and 15 minutes won't cut it….especially for this breed. You have to know too that Cane Corsos (while absolutely gorgeous dogs) are not an easy breed to raise and maintain. They are powerful and dominant dogs, who do require extensive training and socialization….and by that, I mean PROFESSIONAL OBEDIENCE and tons of social activity. got the time for all that?

Please don't make your puppy live in a crate during the day. You'll be sorry, because his personality will be ruined by boredom, seperation anxiety, and hating being caged.

Let him be outside in a dog kennel with plenty of chew toys and bones, while you're gone during the day for hours. He'll have a mental health break, being in his own territory…..and hearing and seeing birds, or distant dogs etc.

this is why GOD created chain link !!

And yes, a tired puppy is a good puppy. Play and running always needs to be at will for a growing puppy , so as not to ruin their joints, and straight line running/trotting is the best. Especially up and down hills. for short periods, like 15 minutes twice a day for a 6 month old puppy. Maybe you should get a bicycle with the springy attachments that your dogs lead can fasten to , that keeps them out away from your bikes wheels and spokes. Otherwise, I don't know if you can run enough to exercise him once he's big.

Ball fetching is good too, but careful about not too many abrupt turns while their bones are growing.

I've raised, or mentored being raised about 1000 Kimmelot German Shepherds.

1-2hrs of playing and walking in the morning should tire him out at that age and he'll sleep most of the day. To keep him entertained for longer stuff a kong and freeze it the night before (he cant choke and it'll take longer to eat). I also got my pup different types of kongs so there was variation. Plus she only gets her kongs when I'm not there so they are a special treat.

I agree with the others you probably will need someone to let him out to the toilet during the day because that's a long time for a pup to hold his bladder but as he gets older this won't be as bad. He should sleep for most of the day if you tire him out enough in the morning.

You could maybe think about an enclosure in the garden for him when you're away then he won't need let out to the toilet?

I don't know that it's such a good idea to get a dog if he has to be in his crate for 7 hours! The most a full grown dog can go without going to the bathroom is four hours. it is even shorter for puppies. my dog can hardly stay in his crate for one hour without getting stir crazy, much less seven! if you really want to get a pet I encourage something that needs less care such as a cat, hamster, bird or fish.

Question for dog owners?