Removing the crate - cold turkey?

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I want to get rid of Monty's crate. He's 19 months old now, it's a massive crate and takes up half the end of my kitchen. We can't get the chairs out properly from the table and it just takes up too much room.

He used to have a smaller crate but he outgrew it. I bought a bigger one because he's a chewer and I didn't want to leave him out overnight. However he hasn't been as bad lately and so I'm thinking I could get rid of it.

Can I just take it away or am I going to come down in the morning to a chewed up kitchen? I was thinking of putting a little table in the corner with his bed underneath so he's still got a feeling of being inside it.

He's got another bed in the living room.

[pombearcat]

I'd start with leaving the door slightly open ..and do it in stages . My 5yr old Lab still sleeps in his stupidly huge cage (with the door open) he goes there for some peace and quiet too ..think he'd be lost without it, but I'd also like my kitchen back !

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

5 years?! Oh.

Hmm. Will definitely try the open door for a bit and see how it goes.

He's a lab too. His crate is massive.

[pombearcat]

Mine isn't the brightest Lab to be fair !!... We tried leaving him on the sofa (his evening spot) or on the rug by the door (daytime spot) at night time but he whimpers until he's back in his 'den'

[PassiveAgressiveQueen]

If your dig was a chewer the problem is... if something stresses her she will quite likely chew again. Well my dog did.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I've narrowed it down to separation anxiety. He only does it when he's on his own. As I have to leave the house occasionally he's just going to have to get used to it but I don't want my house destroyed. He has got a lot better lately so fingers crossed I can think about getting rid of the huge crate.

[Zadocthepriest]

I'd like an answer too!

Our dog barks if not put to bed properly to tell us that something is wrong! Happy out of crate during the day.

But...

Whole kitchen is dog proof as he is a compulsive chewer, including jumping on to work tops to get things.

Not separation anxiety, just too bright, gets bored and looks for trouble, especially if I am around but busy.

[MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig]

We bought Monty special toys and chews to have when we were out, so he saw them as a treat that he only got when we weren't there. It did seem to work actually.