Those of you with dogs.

[MissStacey 1]

We always had dogs in my house growing up and we have never put any of them in a crate. My family always had the perception that it was kinda cruel.

Every where I go with Cooper- he gets lots of attention being a puppy- there are always people talking about crate training. One of Cooper's siblings went to another guy at my husbands work and he is doing the crate. He says it is great- the puppy is quiet and sleeps all night. Another couple I met at Petco yesterday who also have a lab pup said the same thing.

I am debating about it- from what I have heard it isn't cruel for them - it is a safe haven for them. It would be nice at night- I wake up several times if I hear him and am always worrying if he is chewing anything that he might swallow or hurt himself.

What are your experiences with either your own dog or a friend/family's dog that is crate trained?

[Ban Hammer 13,644]

i never have thought much of it. isn't that what a back yard is for?

[TracyTN 237]

My best friend has done this with her basset hounds. She does have a fenced in back yard but they got complaints from the neighbors from them barking (more like howling - you know how hounds are).

I must admit I do find it odd, though, and a little sad for the dogs. But they don't seem any worse for it, so who knows?

[Sinergy 3]

i never have thought much of it. isn't that what a back yard is for?

Thats my thought, i always thought crate training was cruel and sad. My sister does that, the poor puppy is even put in the crate at night so he doesnt pee on the floor. I always thought thats why you let the dog out before you go to bed so he can do his business, and then lay some paper down just incase of an accident. but nooooo....i just dont agree with locking a pet up in anything, a pet needs freedom. i always liked the water bottle spraying as a good training method let them do something wrong, spray them in the face with water, it will get annoying and they will stop peeing on that floor.

[MissStacey 1]

i never have thought much of it. isn't that what a back yard is for?

Thats my thought, i always thought crate training was cruel and sad. My sister does that, the poor puppy is even put in the crate at night so he doesnt pee on the floor. I always thought thats why you let the dog out before you go to bed so he can do his business, and then lay some paper down just incase of an accident. but nooooo....i just dont agree with locking a pet up in anything, a pet needs freedom. i always liked the water bottle spraying as a good training method let them do something wrong, spray them in the face with water, it will get annoying and they will stop peeing on that floor.

I have been using the water bottle- my feet and hands are are in pretty bad shape from his little razor teeth. Lately I have been calling him my little Cujo. He also like to attach himself to my shoes or pants. The water bottle does help.

Edited March 12, 2008 by MissStacey

[Sinergy 3]

i never have thought much of it. isn't that what a back yard is for?

Thats my thought, i always thought crate training was cruel and sad. My sister does that, the poor puppy is even put in the crate at night so he doesnt pee on the floor. I always thought thats why you let the dog out before you go to bed so he can do his business, and then lay some paper down just incase of an accident. but nooooo....i just dont agree with locking a pet up in anything, a pet needs freedom. i always liked the water bottle spraying as a good training method let them do something wrong, spray them in the face with water, it will get annoying and they will stop peeing on that floor.

I have been using the water bottle- my feet and hands are are in pretty bad shape from his little razor teeth. Lately I have been calling him my little Cujo. He also like to attach himself to my shoes or pants. The water bottle does help.

He sounds fun and cute

[TheATeam 0]

Well, my dog was a handful and still is. She hates the crate. That being said, if I'd known then what I know now I would definitely crate train her. Just for the simple fact that we're flying and she's got to be in a crate and I'd rather she was comfortable and felt at home in it than being scared out of her mind. It can be a great tool. My mom's dog loves her crate. She'd rather be in her den than anywhere else. It's not a place that you even need to shut the door. That can be left open and most people do leave it open once they're trained. So, in my opinion, I think it's a really good idea.

[Nagishkaw 510]

With some dogs I did, and some I didn't. I think it depends on the dog. Anyway, the one's who were crated were given a reprieve at 6 months old because they proved themselves worthy of being a house dog, i.e., no chewing or accidents. If your puppy is fine and not getting himself in trouble, then there is no need for a crate. This is just my opinion, however.

On a side note ....

Those hounds must have howled for a reason. I have had Beagles for over 20 years and not one of them did such a thing. They were / are merry and content, but then again I had the ' help' of my German Shepherd Dog(s) who raised them and taught them ' the rules' .

[MissStacey 1]

I am torn on the issue.

If he will sleep well in it that would be great. I would sleep better knowing he was safe. But then there is the issue of if he does hate it and has a fit if he is in there. If I did get one I would only really want it for at night while he is a puppy. He does use his little bed I got him but he will also move around and does like to sleep under things (under the bed, tables,etc) which got me to thinking maybe he likes to be more covered and sheltered.

During the day if I have to go out- I put him in our hallway. All the rooms have doors that I can slide or close. I do have to put tape on my stepsons doors because he does know how to open those.

[tom&tata 2]

We have a puppy too - he is 4 mo. old toy dog, barely weighs 2 pounds. He sleeps in his crate at night - but the crate is big enough for him to have space for sleep, have food/water, and place to do his business. We paper train him because it is too cold outside. We will potty train him outside when it is warmer & he is older & have all his shots. He sleeps all night in his crate & do not whine. When my husband wakes up to go to work (he gets up before 4 AM), he always let him out & the first thing he does is go to the paper in the kitchen do his business.

During daytime, I put him on gated area in kitchen where the floor is not carpet. He has his bed, his food, his toys & area where he can do business on paper.

I read that dogs can be expected to hold pee for 4 hr at 4 mo. old, 5 hr at 5 mo. old etc. We will try to do that when he is 6 mo. old or older.

I do not let him run around the house unless one of us can supervise him. I do not want him to get into wires or eat something that might be dangerous to him.

Edited March 12, 2008 by tom&tata

[MissStacey 1]

With some dogs I did, and some I didn't. I think it depends on the dog. Anyway, the one's who were crated were given a reprieve at 6 months old because they proved themselves worthy of being a house dog, i.e., no chewing or accidents. If your puppy is fine and not getting himself in trouble, then there is no need for a crate. This is just my opinion, however.

On a side note ....

Those hounds must have howled for a reason. I have had Beagles for over 20 years and not one of them did such a thing. They were / are merry and content, but then again I had the ' help' of my German Shepherd Dog(s) who raised them and taught them ' the rules' .

That is one thing I do miss- any other time we have had a puppy, we also had an older dog in the house. The puppy always learned quickly from them.

[Carlawarla 1]

We always did the crate thing. I always likened it to "time out" with children. During the day, the crate door was left open. His favourite blanket was in there. At night however, the door was closed..after kissing and hugging him goodnight. He was always comfortable in his crate, with ample room, and his favourite blankie. At night, when we were getting ready for bed, and he was tired too, we would find him making his way to his crate...or already in there, hunkering down for the night.

[almaty 19]

never crated my dogs....i always tried to get a fenced in yard even when renting..

[kim&james 0]

I have never crated a dog. My current dog "shaggy" can go in and out of the house at will with a fenced back yard but at night time he goes out for a wee right before bed then he sleeps at the foot of our bed and will not get off till morning, when I let him out straight away.

That is his routine and although there were a few accidents when we first rescued him he trained well and got the idea.

[Sinergy 3]

I have never crated a dog. My current dog "shaggy" can go in and out of the house at will with a fenced back yard but at night time he goes out for a wee right before bed then he sleeps at the foot of our bed and will not get off till morning, when I let him out straight away.

That is his routine and although there were a few accidents when we first rescued him he trained well and got the idea.

My dad always had that routine as well with his dog

my hamster however, house broken since the day i got her