Question

I have a 7 month old German Shepherd. He is getting too big to keep in our laundry room when we are not home. I cannot let him run free in the house because he is gets into things I also have a dachshund who is sort of afraid of him because he is too rough with her. I just need to keep him secured when I'm not home.

I've been thinking about a kennel in the back yard that is 10X10 X6ft high. I would like to just let him run free in our back yard but I am worried about his digging under the fences. Would a kennel in the house be OK What do you suggest, since you obviously know about puppy training.

Penelope's Tips

I don't generally recommend leaving a dog in a run outside while you are gone, however, if the entire yard is securly fenced and the run is next to the house with shade, a roof and a cement foor, it might work as a place to keep him during the day. Keep in mind that he may do lots of barking if he gets lonely.

They sell 4'x4' exercise pens in dog supply catalogs, and some of them you can even buy a top for. They come in various heights. I would rather see you set a pen up in the garage to keep him safe while you were gone. Also, a large crate in your house would serve the purpose. I would by the extra large for him, not the one for jumbo dogs, but one size up from large. Depending on his temperament, you can get a kennel that is enclosed, like an airline kennel, or an open metal crate with bars. That should keep him safe.

If you opt to keep him confined in the house or garage, it might be a good idea to enlist the services of a dog walker to come in the afternoon to give him a break and take him for a walk. I would hesitate to have you ask a neighbor or one of the neighborhood kids to walk your dog, being that he is a German Shepherd, and should only be walked by someone who understands the breed.

Hope this helps you decide what to do.

Penelope