When to lose the crate?

Rio · #1 13-06-11, 09:20 PM

Hi everyone, this is a question for you older dog owners who used a crate.....

I was wondering if you could tell me when you stopped using a crate and left your dog in a room in the house over night and during the day?

Rio is 5 months now so I know she's probably still a bit too young but was thinking to myself that I don't know when is!!

Thanks, Sarah xxx

#2 13-06-11, 09:32 PM

The crate becomes thier den and when used from puppyhood they actually enjoy thier Safe haven. I use a crate until the chewing stage is over then I leave the crate open in the room they have been used to with the doors closed so if chewing occurred it would be in one place barring access until I feel they are settled and not destroying anything. I usually return home and although they don't need to be in thier crate I FIND MY DOG in thier crate awaiting a belly rub he he. This method worked for me goodluck in whatever you decide !

xx

Su-C · #3 13-06-11, 09:33 PM

Hi Sarah,

I cant really give you an answer to this, I guess it depends what you want. What are your reasons for using it? If you are using it to protect your belongings/house from damage, then perhaps once you are happy that she is out of the destruction phase, you could try leaving the door open for small periods and see what happens. If all ok, gradually extend the time.

Do you want to put it away? Rio probably quite likes it, although I appreciate they take up a lot of room.

Sue
x

Caryll · #4 13-06-11, 10:14 PM

Dempsey still uses his crate, but as his private den/bed. I stopped shutting the door at night about 9 months ago (Dempsey's 2 years old now) and during the day if I left him about 6 months ago.

pamella · #5 14-06-11, 06:04 AM

i didn't want a crate in my house but we got one for Marley at 4/5 months i think as he was side surfing etc and generally anoying our other dog.the usual stuff.
anyway at 9 months he calmed down heaps and i started to leave the door open.also i felt he was getting a bit big for it and wanted it gone anyway as we were having to take it to the caravan and that was a pain.now he is 10 1/2 months and is back in his bed.the longest he is left is 3 hours in the kitchen with a stair gate to loung which is closed if i am out or we are in bed.he is happy enough.

Rio · #6 14-06-11, 06:32 AM

Thanks for the replies. I don't need it gone for the space, i was just wondering about when I leave her during the day. We leave her in her crate now but would quite like to leave her in the living room so she could wander around. I was thinking when she was about a year old xx

ClaireandDaisy · #7 14-06-11, 08:15 AM

I`ve never used a crate. In the past we simply tried to make the house as safe as possible for kids and dogs. So really, it`s up to you.

charlie · #8 14-06-11, 08:19 AM

I have never used them just personal preference i would advise any of my clients to move on from them as soon as possible i always play back the risk factors of prolonged use and also say IF u had a fire u would want ur dog to be able to move around other than being closed in a crate.

pamella · #9 14-06-11, 08:21 AM

you will just know when the time is right for her.Marley is almost there.He still chews the odd thing if left around so we will wait a lil longer to alow him full downstairs access while we are out as i would hate to come home to find half a sofa gone!
we pushed him a lil as i really didn't want the crate indoors for ever as we have limited space

Caryll · #10 14-06-11, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rio

Thanks for the replies. I don't need it gone for the space, i was just wondering about when I leave her during the day. We leave her in her crate now but would quite like to leave her in the living room so she could wander around. I was thinking when she was about a year old xx

Really, as soon as you think she is mature enough to not destroy or eat things. It varies according to each dog.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClaireandDaisy

I`ve never used a crate. In the past we simply tried to make the house as safe as possible for kids and dogs. So really, it`s up to you.

It wouldn't have mattered how 'safe' I made my home, Dempsey would have eaten something. That's just the way he is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie

I have never used them just personal preference i would advise any of my clients to move on from them as soon as possible i always play back the risk factors of prolonged use and also say IF u had a fire u would want ur dog to be able to move around other than being closed in a crate.

You really don't need to 'move on' from them. Just start to leave the door open. An awful lot of dogs love the secure & private feeling of a crate (with an old curtain or other piece of material draped over it to make it feel like a 'den'), and will continue to use it as a bed. Some people just leave the door open, others take the door off.

Obviously you wouldn't keep a dog locked in a crate for years on end - shutting the door is purely a means to an end - getting the dog through what can be a very dangerous exploration period where eberything that can go into its mouth does (shoes/slippers/books/soft furnishing/wires etc), and often gets eaten.