Stopping using the crate

[zelbazinnamon]

currently have a large crate in our kitchen for our 1 year old lab/pointer. We are moving house, & because of the layout of the kitchen we would rather not have a massive crate, just a dog bed. Is this a terrible idea?

[Wolfiefan]

Totally depends on the dog! I started by leaving my dog “loose” when I did the school run. Then gradually extended it.
Also depends on how long the dog is alone for.
I’ve also used a whelping pen that can be folded away when not in use.

[FleasAndKeef]

Agree with Wolfie- judgement call I think! I use baby gates and a room divider playpen thingy instead and it works much better for our set up

[zelbazinnamon]

Okay, so there’s no particular issue with not crating him? Don’t know why I thought there would be tbh. We don’t shut him in when we go out - he can roam the kitchen - we only close the door at night, so it wouldn’t really be a major difference I guess.

[Girlintheframe]

We stopped using the crate at around 1. Totally depends on the pup I would have thought. We went on holiday and couldn't take the crate and Ddog was absolutely fine so we stopped using it when we got back. Our dog was happy with/without crate. However we had a lab previously and stopped crating him around the same age. Got up one morning to find he had eaten the kitchen . Current dog not a chewer thankfully.

[pigsDOfly]

My dog gave up her crate quite early, around six months.

As soon as I realised she wasn't going to chew things or harm herself by swallowing anything inappropriate I left the door open when I went out and she had complete freedom of the house. She was never in it for long periods anyway.

It very much depends on the dog and where you want your dog to sleep.

My dog has 4 dog beds, 2 upstairs, 2 down. She rarely uses them as there are numerous other places to sleep that she prefers.

[Velveteal]

We use a pen, pup is 6 months and can jump out of it so we’re phasing it out. We only use it now for when I need to mop the floor (which he thinks is a toy to chase) and for when the cats want to come in through the back door. I hope we can get rid of it altogether at some point as it takes up half the kitchen.

[CMOTDibbler]

Depends on the dog. DDog2 is 5, and a bit of a worry wort, and is vastly happier since we started crating him at night again 6 months ago. Turns out his disturbed nights were because everything he heard he had to go and investigate when he could, but in the crate he is cosy and protected. He puts himself to bed in it and stares at you till you shut it - if you don't he'll come and get you to do so