Ill be taking in a new husky who is about 6 years old that couldn't be kept by the original owner. This will be my first husky but not the first time being around them. She is crate trained. I work 5 days a week (9 hour days) so I will be gone then. Although that will end in the summer and ill be home more. Id prefer to keep her in the crate while I'm gone. Is there anything that I should be worried about?

Please dont put it in the crate. They need to be free.

The crate is the safest place for her, especially given she will be in an unfamiliar situation. 9 hours is a long time though. Any way you can hire a mid day dog walker? My 3 year old is alone for 9 hour days frequently, but I trust him with free range and he's used to it.

As for other things, yes there are a ton of things you should be thinking about. Browse the various sections of the forum to read up.

If she is crate trained then I would definitely stick with the crate. The crate will serve as a cross over tool from her old life to her new. It can help ease her into living with you, give her a comfortable place that is familiar to her instead up completely turning her world up side down by giving her liberties she's never had in a place she doesn't know or understand yet.

Crates are the very best way to keep them and your house safe and to keep a dog's mind contained and occupied.

9 hours is a little too long for my tastes, but it's certainly doable .  You are just going to spend significant time with him before and after, or consider hiring a dog walker or visitor mid day.

Oops, hi Sara.

Jynx.

seattlesibe wrote:

Oops, hi Sara.

Jynx.

I agree with others, use crate. My dogs sleep almost all day when I'm here and I suspect when I'm going they sleep, but in the safety of their crates. Exercising before and work will be critical to making sure your new dog is happy.

Well said Jessica.

The abosolute best thing to do with crates is to keep things calm and make the time before and after crate time as boring and mundane as possible. No big deal, whatsoever.

If your dog is going to be relaxed in a crate for 9 hours it's super important that you never say goodbye or hello when leaving or coming home. The crate should be all about calmness and relaxation, and it's very difficult to maintain that if there's an enormous difference in the energy level when you are gone vs when you are home.

Eazyb23 wrote:

Please dont put it in the crate. They need to be free.

What? No! The crate is a wonderful tool, especially when transitioning a new dog into a new home and routine.

There are many threads about crating, but the biggest thing to me is making sure your dog gets enough exercise before and after work and plenty of attention when you are home.

I know mine, as long as she gets an hour walk before I leave for work, she happily sleeps the day away.