LEAVING THE DOGS ALONE
If you need to leave both dogs in the house alone, you’ll have to crate them both. Watch the video for instructions on how do to that:
Click for instructions on crating the dogs.
RULES ON CRATING
It took us a loooong time to get them crate trained, so we request that you:
Only leave them in the crates for 4 hours (max) in a single day (ideally late aft/evening)
If you have to crate them for several hours during daylight, please:
Make sure they are well-exercised first
Do not also crate them for multiple hours that same night
DETAILS ON CRATING
Prior to leaving:
Turn the heat next to the TV to 67.
Make sure there’s a blanket in each crate.
Turn on side lamp/turn off overhead light.
Place the mini iPad on the corner of the bed aimed at the crates. Start the “Dog Monitor” app (select “Dog Station”). (Pair this app on your phone with the app on the iPad).
When you’re ready to leave:
Take them both outside to pee (you may have to bribe them outside with a treat/wait outside for them to pee).
Grab a few high value treats; take them into the back room. Tell Tina to go in the crate on the right. Wait til she goes in, then give her the treat and close & latch both bolts. Repeat with Ellen on left crate.
I usually turn the white noise machine on and stick it in the hallway. Leave the house immediately.
NOTE: It’s a good idea to check the app a few times while you’re out. If anything crazy is going on (prolonged whining, digging at the crate door, etc.), contact Aaron Paulsen at 802.734.2111* — he has a key and lives nearby/can usually come over and let them out.
*If you ARE Aaron Paulsen, contact Rob Hale, who also lives nearby.