labs, kids and crates

[cansleepanywhere]

When did you guys get rid of the crate??

My 9 month old lab hasn't slept in one since she was around 12 weeks. We have a HUGE crate in the lounge with her bedding in however she never really goes in it. She sleeps upstairs next to the bed on a night and if she's left alone for short stints during the day she has the run of downstairs with no accidents and nothing chewed, not even the xmas tree!

Before we got her everyone told me that the dog must have a space to call her own, especially with two young DCs (5 and 2). When the kids are about though, rather than get out of the way she lies on the rug in the middle of the lounge waiting for a tummy rub!! If my youngest is bothering her (he's a typical lad and likes to shout and jump) she just wonders off to the hall or kitchen.

We have family over for new years but was toying with the idea of storing the crate away in the new year after everything is back to normal and getting my lounge back. What d'ya reckon??

[Lilcamper]

My lab never uses his crate now either. Give it a go and see what happens.

[LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA]

She may well want a retreat when the family are over butshe hasn't chosen the crate. If it were me i'd lose the crate and have her bedding in the hall when the family arrive, the rules being that you leave the dog alone when she is in her bed. I have never used a crate, in fact most of my dog haven't had baskets - they prefer the sofa or my bed! They are pretty good at taking themselves off when they want a bit of peace. wish i could go with them sometimes

[cranberryorange]

We packed the crate away when our Lab was nearly 18 months as he chose to sleep at my feet instead. It was a natural progression rather than a planned thing.

We then got a terrier X Shih tzu a year later who chews absolutely everything so the crate came out again for him and the lab chooses to sleep in it with his pal even though i now lock it up at night which i never had to do before.

[Floralnomad]

We got rid of our crate at about 4 months ,our dog never chose to go in it during the day ,he prefers the sofa .

[needastrongone]

Ours had gone by 6 months too, he wasn't a chewer and never actively chose to go in his crate.

I think it's just making the decision to actually do it that's the hardest bit

[Whoknowswhocares]

We started leaving the door open from about 7 months and for at least 2 months she never went in it. Just when I was about to pack it away, she suddenly decided she loved it and uses it nightly again, plus the occasional nap in the day
Always with the door open though

[cansleepanywhere]

Oooooooh, I may well get my lounge back then??? Oh the possibilities!

LEMoncehad I wish I could go with the dog too sometimes allthetime

[DuchessFanny]

Yeah ours was huge too and I was so happy when we didn't need it anymore, it was a natural progression in our house too ( he's now nearly 3 but was out at about 18 months )

[Lilcamper]

We kind of did it gradually. First he was allowed the utility room, crate door open, stairgate in doorway, then the kitchen and utility, then the downstairs and now he has the run of the house.