If you haven't already, you should check and see if the day care has a package rate. Our day care charges a bit less, if you buy a package of multiple visits. Perhaps, this would be enough savings to take him to daycare once a week and keep the dog walker for the remaining days. With all that said, I think 9 hours is too long to go without a potty break, especially in a crate. Good Luck.

Joanna & Sheldon

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i agree thats a long time to be crated...good luck!

Maybe you need to show her how to get him out. Maybe offer him a treat or bite of cheese or something he really likes so he will think it a good thing and then a treat to put him back in with. It could be the wrong handler for him.

And then you can take him to a dog park etc to help him socialize.

KB

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I would be concerned with a dog walker not really knowing Bulldogs, understanding the heat issue, and even having them take them to a doggie park with other dogs, not really knowing your dog and how he might react.

If the crate is a large one where he can stand, move around, lay on his side, and have a couple of toys and water, he should be fine.

Of course, you need to allow yourself time in the morning to let him be out and have some activity for about an hour. And of course, letting him out as soon as you get home.

My two are in the house, but the others are in my "kennel", which is a garage that was enclosed and converted with air/heater, etc. Their "runs" are about 3x4, may-be a little bigger than a large crate. However, my husband and I both are gone for 9 hours plus for work, and they are fine. Of course, we get up anywhere between 4:30 -5:30 a.m. and everyone starts having a lot of time outside before we leave for work.

I don't know who your dog walker is. If it is a neighbor who is just coming over to let him out in the yard for 15 minutes, that of course is good. But, if you have to leave them in a crate, it will be fine as long as they've had their exercise, and the crate is roomy enough for them.

tough choice!

- Cristina

When my dog was still crated during the day, I would crate him from 7:30-4:45 M-F. He loved his crate, never had problems or accidents. I did not feel guilty either, b/c I think that it was like his little safe haven/bedroom w/ big fluffy pillows a hard nylabone and blanky on top of the crate for privacy..LOL. Sometimes when we came home, he was still napping. But you could use a dog walker if you want him to get out and exercise. We didn't and it worked out fine. He is no longer crated and he still goes in his crate just fine without us locking it closed. He is home all day w/o us. But he has the cat to play w/. Good luck.