To crate or not

[Rainagain1]

On Friday we brought home our gorgeous 10 week old springerdor. He had been crated at breeders house.
In a couple of months when husband changes jobs he will need to be left for up to 3 hours twice a week.
We have used a Baby gate to make dog den in under stairs space. Space for a bed, puppy pads and water bowls. Probably about 2m squared of floor space.
We also have a crate in the living room as a day bed for him and to hide if kids get too much.
But are we better to crate train him properly and use crate for sleeping in? Am so confused!
Thanks for any advice.

[GemmeFatale]

I’d always crate train properly. It’s like having a toddler, you have to teach them how great their own bed is. Also if they ever need to stay overnight at a vets or travel with an animal ambulance, dog walker or by air you already have a good starting point.

[BiteyShark]

Some people crate, others don't. Really I think it what suits you and your puppy.

I created at night and when he needed to be safe e.g. workmen about until the age of 1. I got the largest crate so it was XXL for my small cocker spaniel so he had massive amounts of space to sleep and play but others use ones appropriate to their size.

For me the benefits was that I could keep him safe until he was an adult. Others prefer not to use them at all.

[Nicknamesalltaken]

My dog was crate trained (before I had him). His crate is his safe space where he retreats to. Very important if you have children and their friends around I think.

He’s an old boy now and still loves his crate. I don’t close it anymore - haven’t done for a long time - but I’m glad to have it (as is he).

[Wolfray]

I crate train.

If there's ever moment you need to use one (a stay in the vets, a groomer who crates or any other reason...), for me, it is much better for a pup to be happy in a crate rather than a crate causing trauma.

[bobstersmum]

Our dog was sort of a rescue (he was going to the rspca if we didn't take him) but only 5 months old, he had been crated, so we bought one.
He relies on his crate. He uses as his den, his safe place, when he's had enough of the kids, or is tired, he goes in. He takes his toys in to chew in peace. We rarely close him in now, he's 8 months.

[Rainagain1]

Thanks all that is useful. I think we will use crate more as he seems happier there than his larger space

[rookiemere]

I think it depends how happy Ddog is on his own and how much damage he does in that situation.
Our ddog is 5.5 months and although we used the crate initially , we stopped using it because he's not much of a chewer and provided we make sure he's suitably entertained and exercised when we're around, he's very happy just snoozing and mooching around in our absence.

[Vallahalagonebutnotforgotten]

I crate train all my dogs for many reasons. It is a social skill that dogs will all need sometime in their life so if they are introduced to it as a puppy it is a good plan. Most dogs have to spend time at a vet, restricted in a car so crate training is vital. You can take your dog away easily if they are crate trained and they will not find it stressful if they have their crate to relax and sleep in.

Puppies need to be protected from environmental things, plugs, cables, anything they can chew or eat etc. They also need a lot of rest so in this case the crate is a win win situation.