for today anyway. Crate time...on average, how long do you guys keep your puppy in a crate over the course of an 8 hour work day? And obviously I am talking about people who work away from home. Here is my schedule right now..

630am-up and out to potty, play for an hour, i leave at 730
10am-friend comes over takes her out for about a 15 minute walk
12am - i come home, take her out for walk for a bit, eat, etc for about 30 minutes
3pm - buddy comes back over for 15 minutes
5pm - home from work, out for an hour or two, then back in
i continue this off an on till i go to bed, usually she is crate for an hour, out for an hour. she is still whiney, like I said, so i am trying to give her enough time.
2am - the sucky part - out of bed take her out, immediately back in.

so, is that enough time or too much time considering she is whining and still not house broken? bear in mind, she will be an outside dog in the future, but i would like at least some indoor manners. i just don't want to keep her in so long its unhealthy. thanks again....can't believe you guys take the time to respond...very cool.

That's a real fair schedule you have going for the pup. You say things about whiney this and whiney that. One thing you shouldn't give into is her wishes, she whines to get out of the crate and is manipulating you. Don't be in such a rush when you get home to let her out of the crate. Do it on your schedule not hers give it 5-10 minutes after you walk in and be nonchalant about it. Don't make a big fuss over it.

Another thing keep her tethered to you when she is not in the crate and in the house. That way you have a birds eye view if she decides to do 'her' business and you can house break her more effectively. Does she soil in the crate?

 Quote: Geoff Empey

You say things about whiney this and whiney that. One thing you shouldn't give into is her wishes, she whines to get out of the crate and is manipulating you.

And, in fact, you can wait for a silent moment and THEN pay attention, let her out, etc., when the silent moment happens. Makes a little connection in her brain: Whining gets zero; quiet gets fun and attention.