Another Crating Question

[joella]

Well, as many of you know, after much arm twisting, we began crate training Anka about a month and a half ago. It has been going very well. She now goes through the whole night in the crate without a peep (or a pee!) as well as being in there for a couple of hours at a time twice a day.

Well, now that the Christmas tree is gone (one of the reasons we started crating her was b/c she was destroying ornaments at night and while we were gone) my hubby thinks its time to stop crating her altogether.

I disagree. What are your thoughts?

[Moo]

I wouldn't stop crating all together... You don't want something else to come up, and then you have to start on square one again. I would keep her in, it's not much time crated anyways, and less stress thinking about what she could be doing.

[joella]

As in, keep her in forever? After she gets a little older, I know that I'd like to transition her into not having to be crated. When is an acceptable time to start that transition? (at what age?)

[Moo]

Not in forever, but not now. It's been a month, I don't think that her mind set on what's fun has changed much. Nights, I would still keep her in, or at least confined in one room. My monster was crated at night until he was 8 months, then he slept in the kitchen until 12 months. Yes, destruction. I still lock him up at night once a week, and depending on the kind of mood I think he's in, I still lock him in the kitchen when I leave him home alone.

[joella]

That's what I was thinking Moo, when we DO transition her (which I'm hoping I can talk him out of doing so soon) I want to get another baby gate and confine her to the kitchen instead of the crate. See how that goes, and then go on from there.

I agree that right now its way too soon, just looking for back up so I can convince my hubby!

[HeartSong]

Well, all she is supposed to be doing at night is sleeping or maybe playing quietly if she can't sleep the whole time. So then there's nothing wrong with keeping her in the crate. It's kinda like keeping a baby in a crib overnight. The baby is confined and can't get out but no one thinks that is bad. It's keeping the baby out of trouble and gives it a comfortable place to spend the night.

Even when she gets older, there is nothing wrong with having her spend the night in her crate. I have an aunt who has dogs that spend most of the time in their crates, the funny thing is the doors are always open they just choose to stay in there all the time. Probably cause their lazy and want to spend all day in bed . . . hmm sounds like me . . . oh how I wish I could live the life of a spoiled rotten dog.

[joella]

Yeah, I agree with you Heartsong. I think my hubby is more so wanting to leave her out of the crate while we're gone during the day, which I don't think she's ready for.

[SouthPaw]

Both of my dogs are crate trained and sleep in their crates at night. Yes, Basil is totally reliable at night however, he has always slept in his crate and I see no reason to change that because there are times when we travel or stay in a motel and then he can come with us and is no trouble. There are situations when I like to know that they are safe and sound and snuggy in their crates. I don't leave either of them crated during the day except for car trips or stuff like that. Try the kitchen and a kiddy gate with a sleep area and a "potty" area if you'll be gone for awhile plus lots of toys. I've known several dogs who have chewed cabinets, chair rungs, and molding out of boredom and teething issues. Good luck. Anka will be fine.

[dobermom]

Joella, I am considering the transition from crate during the day when I'm not there also. I am very cautious, I really dont want them destroying the house, or getting into something, and them getting sick or hurt. The crate is a very safe place both for the dog and your home.
My brothers B*chon is still crated when they leave, she is 5. She loves her crate, and like Heartsong there are many times in the day she just hangs out in her crate. She was uncrated for a good year or two, an issue came up and she was crated again. She tried everything to knock her crate out of my brothers hands to get to it. She was very excited.
I think I would give it some more time. I wish I could get these 2 huge crates out of my house, they are not very "Martha Stewart".

[Dax]

Martha has dogs. LOL. Ask her to design something. I hear she has some time on her hands now. (OH... poor Martha).

{Thrusday morning levity Hee hee}