Those of you with dogs.

[no name 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.

My Mom crate trained one - she loves her crate, it's her own special (contained) space.

[eekee 182]

We tried to crate-train our dog but he was just not into it. He actually came housebroken at eight weeks, so it ended up not being necessary.

[Alex+R 0]

1. It's not crate vs. fenced yard. They serve different purposes. Leaving a dog alone outside all the time actually IS cruel. The yard is good for exercise and the crate is "home base."

2. People who think crates are cruel are anthropomorphizing their dog. Dogs have different psychology and different needs. A crate can help them learn the rules and can be their own safe space.

My parents have never crate trained before, but they are doing it with Sammy (the new dog) since he came with a crate (that I bought him to send him to MN) and the woman who owns the rescue I got him from said it would be a good idea.

Edited March 12, 2008 by Alex+R

[Ban Hammer 13,644]

1. It's not crate vs. fenced yard. They serve different purposes. Leaving a dog alone outside all the time actually IS cruel. The yard is good for exercise and the crate is "home base."

the bed or couch was home base for my last dog

[almaty 19]

1. It's not crate vs. fenced yard. They serve different purposes. Leaving a dog alone outside all the time actually IS cruel. The yard is good for exercise and the crate is "home base."

the bed or couch was home base for my last dog

you are indeed right thinking, brother charles....

[*JG* 2]

I've never done the crate thing; but I know many people who have and they love it.

[MissStacey 1]

1. It's not crate vs. fenced yard. They serve different purposes. Leaving a dog alone outside all the time actually IS cruel. The yard is good for exercise and the crate is "home base."

the bed or couch was home base for my last dog

The dogs always slept with me back in Canada. I would love Cooper to sleep with us but the bed is very high and I would be scared of him falling off. I'm sure he'll be able to jump on and off soon enough though.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Nothing wrong with a crate, some dogs love them, some do not!! The crate is NEVER to be used for punishment. There are many article online and of course books on how to crate train, so will leave it to the experts!! I have crate trained some of my dogs, some I have not! My current dog is not crate trained, as she is fine alone! Some dogs left alone will demolish the house, its a insecurity issue! And leaving ur dog outside in a fence isnt always a good idea, especilay if its a well sought after breed!! Plus and minuses of everything!

[apk 0]

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?

I spent the past several years as a Veterinary Assistant and Crate Training is GREAT!!!! Especially for Lab pups. Purina has a really good step-by-step how to guide. A crate gives a pet a little place of their own, plus early training lasts forever. I don't keep any of my animals in a crate on a regular basis but they are all trained to stay in a crate if need be (dogs and cats both --- my horses stay in a large pasture but they have no problem being confined either) Before I worked at a vet clinic I felt just like you but after seeing what sick, injured or maybe just lost pets go through when they are suddenly confined to a cage or crate( in strange surroundings and usually in some type of traumatic situation) I am 100% for giving them the exposure young.

I keep my crate out with the door open and that's where I store the pet toys and dog blankets so my animals tend to fight over who gets to hang out there and if someone misbehaves I just put them in the crate close the door and treat it like a timeout. Closing a door and walking away for a bit usually works bets with pets than yelling or spanking.

Well now that I have probably convinced you that I am completely NUTS I had better say GOOD LUCK and go.

If you decide to give it a try and have any questions just ask.

[JenT 0]

I think crate training has its place.... all depends on what suits the dog and the owners. I have never crate trained any of my dogs... I currently have 3. One is a beagle who is 90% housebroken, but I trained him to use 'adult dog' pads in our laundry room when we're not home. We adopted him at 5 yrs old and when I realized that he was not housebroken, I tried the crate training thing. Each time, I'd come home and have to give him and bath and wash out the crate. It was a disaster.

Our latest addition, Beau, has decided that he deserves a place on our bed too, so we have the beagle, the shepherd and the lab sleeping in our king size bed.... We allow them on the sofas too... they are part of the family.

[rebeccajo 14]

Oh how I wish my dog had been crate trained. He was six months old when I got him and had been kept outside by the prior owner. He was needy and unloved. We tried to crate train him but he would just howl and cry.

We were never able to complete housebreak him. Usually, he only committed these sins when we would leave him alone in the house.

When we moved in October to our new 'old' house, he started doing his bad deeds on the newly installed laminate floors. All it takes is dog pee on laminate floors about twice and the boards curl up on the ends.

So at almost 8 years of age, we had no choice but to crate train him. The vet said it was the right thing to do - that he was an 'animal' and animals can be trained and that humans shouldn't allow them to ruin a living space. It's been really hard. He's had 'doggie prozac' to help him adjust. We only crate him when we leave him alone. He's getting more accustomed to it and will go to the crate when he thinks no one is looking.

The best time to do the training is now while the dog is a pup. Then they get used to it.

[almaty 19]

I think crate training has its place.... all depends on what suits the dog and the owners. I have never crate trained any of my dogs... I currently have 3. One is a beagle who is 90% housebroken, but I trained him to use 'adult dog' pads in our laundry room when we're not home. We adopted him at 5 yrs old and when I realized that he was not housebroken, I tried the crate training thing. Each time, I'd come home and have to give him and bath and wash out the crate. It was a disaster.

Our latest addition, Beau, has decided that he deserves a place on our bed too, so we have the beagle, the shepherd and the lab sleeping in our king size bed.... We allow them on the sofas too... they are part of the family.

as always ..you live up to your title as the sweetest sister

[Mary Lou 682]

I believe in crate training, my puppy was 6 weeks old when i got him, he took to it very well, didnt cry or carry on. Only time he messed in it was at night, if i didnt get to him quick enough to take him out potty. That didnt last long at all. He was free to roam during the day as long as i was there to watch him. Only time he was in the crate was at night and when we went away. By 6 months he was sleeping in the bedroom with me.

My vet told me to never leave their collar on when they are in the crate though, she said its too easy for them to possibly get hurt if they got hung up on the crate.

[russ 1]

I think crate training has its place.... all depends on what suits the dog and the owners. I have never crate trained any of my dogs... I currently have 3. One is a beagle who is 90% housebroken, but I trained him to use 'adult dog' pads in our laundry room

I wish we had crate trained our beagle... He doesn't like to leave the couch anyway, unless we leave. Then, he sits by the windows waiting for us to get home.

[Mark&Steph 0]

We crate trained our two dachshunds. It definitely helped them as far as house breaking goes. They both like to have the occasional random accident from time to time. Leela will do it if she's pissed off about something. Nibs likes to chew on electrical wires if the mood strikes him. The crate curtails all of that. They are out all day and evening as long as we are home and they spend the night in the crate. They love their crate. They eat and get treats in there. Leela spent most of the first eight years of her life living in one as a show dog/breeder and I'm sure she associates that with a safe place anyway. She much prefers her life as a pampered house pet now though, I think.

I think some dogs probably take to it and benefit from it a lot better than others. I see Cooper is a lab. They are big chewers. If you really worry about what he's doing at night you might give it a try. If you think he might be lonely in it, you can always put it in your bedroom with you. Put some of his favorite toys in there. He'll probably whine at first since he's used to having the run of the house so far.

Good luck in what ever you decide!