You might be very happy after bringing the little GSD puppy to your home and maybe busy making their shelter. But where to keep them at the initial stage, thinking of keeping them in the cage but for how long? You should know how long can you leave your German Shepherd in a crate with proper safety.
Considering the age of the German Shepherd, they can be left in a crate for an hour. A well-grown GSD puppy can live up to a maximum of 4 hours. A German Shepherd puppy of 8-10 weeks old can be left for 2 hours, a 12-week-old puppy can stay for 3 hours, and a 16-week-old puppy for 4 hours. German Shepherds can remain at the night for 7- 8 hours up to the age of 6 months.
Though, you can’t leave them in the crate for a long time as they are not well-trained to potty and pass urine at the proper place. In this article we will come to know the important facts about:
- Do German Shepherds like crates?
- How long can you leave them in a crate at night?
- What crate is good for them
- Its consequences and alternative solutions.
Let’s discuss our topic in detail how long can a German Shepherd live in a crate?
Table of Contents
How Long Can You Leave A German Shepherd In A Crate?
The first thing to consider about a German Shepherd is their shelter if you are owing them. But where to keep them that will make them comfortable and will enjoy their living. The best option is a crate where they can spend their time without any worry but for how long can they live in a crate?
German Shepherds can be left in a crate for a maximum of 4 hours, however, it depends on their age. The puppies will have the lesser time to be in the cage. They can’t be left in the crate for a long time as this will not only annoy them but as an owner, you will also. There are many challenges that you can face after leaving them for several hours if they are not crate-trained.
Crate training allows them to live comfortably as they feel safe. They see their crate as a den that no one else can enter and this is a place where they eat, play, and chew their toys.
One of the reasons behind not leaving German Shepherd puppies for more than 4 hours is their bladder as they can’t control their urine system. They need special care, attention, and affection.
Taking about adult German Shepherds can live in a crate for a maximum of 4 hours, but when it comes to passing urine they are well-house-trained and go outside 3- 5 times during day time.
As a dog owner, you should be careful and exercise them to pass urine before leaving them in a crate, this will make them feel comfortable and will not make their crate dirty.
However, you can also consider this table for a better understanding of keeping your GSD in crates as per their age.
| AGE | Maximum Time In A Crate |
| 8-10 weeks | Up to 1 hour |
| 11-14 weeks | 1 – 3 hours |
| 15-16 weeks | 3 – 4 hours |
| 17 weeks + | 4 hours |
Leaving your German Shepherd in a crate for a long time may give birth to many mental as well as physical issues which are not acceptable. It’s better to keep them inside for a limited time and attend to them more often to make them happy.
Do German Shepherds like Crates?
All dogs want to feel safe where they are living. I think all of you must have kept your German Shepherd in a crate when you brought them home but what about their feeling, do they like to live in crates?
Everyone loves the shelter where they live, it’s just the same case for German Shepherds. Yes, German Shepherds like to live in crates as it is their shelter where they feel safe and want to hide when they fear something.
German Shepherds enjoy living in crates only when they are well-crate-trained. Remember not to keep them inside crates for more than 4 hours as it has some negative aspects that they can face.
Here are some of the issues you German Shepherds can face when kept in the crate for a longer time:
Discomfort and Restlessness
This is one of the major issues that your German Shepherd can face if you leave them in the crate for a longer time. They feel annoyed if remain in the same place, especially in the evening which is the time for them to go for a walk and get some entertainment.
Leaving your dog alone for a long time may affect their mental health conditions which may give birth to destructive behavior among them so you should also consider this issue and should not leave your German Shepherd alone for longer periods.
Separation Anxiety:
Leaving your dog unattended for several hours, especially in crates allow them to face separation anxiety. They may feel alone and get distressed if you let them in the crate for a longer period. It is a type of mental issue that every dog owner should understand and should never leave your dog unattended for a longer time.
Bladder Issue:
If you leave your German Shepherd alone in a crate for a long time then they will face this type of serious problem, as when they have to pee there will be no option left and pee in the crate. This will lead to many infections and rashes.
The young puppies are not well potty trained and their bladder is also not so developed to hold the urine if they are left in the crate for a longer time. Remember No dogs want to sleep at the place where they pee or potty.
Joint Issue:
Joint issues are generally faced by older German Shepherds when they spend most of their time in crates because of the lack of space. If they are left in crates for the longest time, they can’t move freely and stretch their legs. Spending in the crates without any exercise will lead them to pain and discomfort.
Health Issue:
This is the most crucial condition that every dog owner should consider before leaving their German Shepherd in the crate for more than the estimated period. As they are highly energetic breeds they need good exercise to be fit and when they are stuck in a cage for a long time they may easily become sick.
Remember they are working dogs and people also use them for doing various activities because of their strength and stamina.
Seeing all the adverse effects of keeping your dog in the crate for more than 4 hours, you should not keep them in the crate for a longer time.
Also Read: Can German Shepherds live Outside?
What type of Crates you can use for your German Shepherds?
German Shepherds are kept in the crate as per their size as they are much bigger breeds as compared to other breeds. They need a larger crate for sure. If you are keeping your German Shepherd puppy in the crate remember to keep them one hour for each month and your adult dog for not more than 4 hours.
German Shepherds should be in a larger crate, the size should not be less than 50 inches. The larger the crate will be the more comfortable they remain. The larger space allows them in moving freely and stretching more comfortably.
We all know that German Shepherds are stronger breeds so the dog’s crate should be of metal or wire so that they can’t break out from the crate. Most of the crates are easily transportable as it is easy to fold and we can move them at our convenience.
You can use MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate as it has great reviews on Amazon and is easy to set up. This crate comes with a single as well as a double door with folding ability and no tools required for its setup.
No doubt, crates provide our pets with the safest place where they play and get entertainment. You should also know about the essential items that you may need to keep your German Shepherd in the crates.
Here are some of the items to look out for:
Mattresses and crate pads:
The mattresses and crate pads should be purchased as per the size of the crate. You can leave half of its part uncovered to cool down when they feel warm. However, you should consider soft bedding that is easily washable.
All dogs need comfort and the best way to get all the deals at the same place to fulfill your desire is Eterish Orthopedic Dog Bed. It is an orthopedic dog bed for medium, and large Dogs with a removable cover and machine washable that is highly helpful in joint issues.
Toys:
Providing plenty of toys allows them to get engaged and lets them get some entertainment. Providing some entertaining chew games not only allows them to get entertainment but also not get bored. You can use amazon which has great reviews from customers and it will also make your dog busy.
Food:
It’s a necessary item that you should provide them sufficiently before leaving them in the crate. It’s difficult to feed them because of their messing behavior but you can’t leave them hungry.
The best way to deal with this type of issue is to provide the best crate training for your German Shepherd as when you crate train your dog they will learn all the stuff.
Water:
You can use clip-on bowls to make your dog drink water in the crate. This will prevent them from messing with their bed while drinking. Because of their messing nature, you should make some space in the crate where they can drink and not mess up their bedding.
Blanket:
You can use a blanket to cover the upper part of the crate. Doing so allows your dog to feel secure and will live freely in its crate.
Also Read: 7 Best Dog Crates For German Shepherds You Should Not Miss In 2022
Where Can You Keep Your German Shepherd? Alternative Solutions!
We as dog owners, can’t be with our pets all the time but before leaving them we have to assure their safe place.
German Shepherds can live in a crate while some prefer outside the crate but it’s your opinion where to keep them thinking of their safety.
However, there are also some alternatives that you can look at here:
- It’s likely some of the dog owners may prefer to keep their German Shepherds outside the crates providing sufficient food, water, and toys so that they can’t be bored and adapt to the situation easily. If you are keeping them outside they should be trained enough to not provide you any damage and annoy you.
- However, you may use Homykic Dog House for making their shelter outside of amazon with great reviews by online customers. It is also weather-resistant.
- Another option to keep them indoors is to get MTB Home Walk-Thru Pet Gate from Amazon. This allows them to walk around your limited area with full freedom without damaging your materials.
- You can also use Animaze Petco Brand Adjustable Exercise Black Pen for Dogs from Amazon. This product allows your young German Shepherd to move around your house, they may feel fantasy while using this product and roam from room to room.
The best way is to start giving them training from the initial stage of their life, this will allow your dog to be disciplined and they can use the crate more efficiently. This breed needs a lot of affection and it’s our responsibility to provide them with the better lifestyle they deserve.
Final Thoughts
No dogs want to live alone for a longer time as it develops separation anxiety. You should not leave your German Shepherd for more than 4 hours and lesser time for GSD puppies.
Use a crate of 48 inches in length that suits their size and provides plenty of space for German Shepherds to stretch out and walk around.
Crates are the safest shelter for German Shepherds and are ideal for toilet training. However, they need to be attended to from time to time.
Provide them with sufficient food, water, and toys before leaving them in a crate so that they can get bored, and hungry, and get full entertainment.
That it’s from this post, hope you enjoyed reading this. stay connected with us for more info about German Shepherds.
Related Questions:
Can German Shepherds Be Left Alone For 8 Hours?
No, German Shepherds should not be left alone for 8 hours. They are highly active and social species that need plenty of attention and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
If a German Shepherd is left alone for too long, it may become bored, destructive, or anxious. A good rule of thumb is to limit their alone time to no more than 4-6 hours.
If are going to leave them alone unwillingly, they should have plenty of toys to play with and exercise prior to being left home alone. Enrolling them in doggy daycare or a dog walker service would also help keep them active and stimulated while you are away.
Can German Shepherds live outside?
German Shepherds can stay outside but not more than 8 hours. Being social animals they spend most of their time with their owners and they should not live outside for a longer period seeing the dangers outside the home.
Will German Shepherds protect you?
German Shepherds are courageous breeds and can protect their owners. however, the protecting temperament differs among dogs because of the training they are being provided. In such a case, they can protect you but not physically.