New puppy coming home in July- Crate training?

[Mooey89]

Miniature schnauzer coming home in a July 😍 we are all so excited! We’ve been waiting such a long time.
What are your thoughts on crate training? I grew up with dogs and we never did, and I never thought I would do it, but from what I’ve read it works really well?
We have a bouncy 6 year old DS and a cat so might be nice for him to have somewhere quiet to go if he feels overwhelmed!

[sleepismysuperpower1]

we did crate training and I don't regret it. It gave him a place to go when he was overwhelmed/ wanted to have a quiet space and at night when we put him into the crate he knew it was time to sleep. dogs trust have advice on how to do so. All the best!

[Pipandmum]

I create trained my two dogs. They were in it over night (and I ignored his cries if I knew he did not need toileting or food) until housetrained and initially when I was out of the house, and I kept it for about a year so they could have it as a den for when the kids had friends over and were too boisterous, and also when people came to the house and didn't like dogs etc. Once they were reliably house trained it was only used occasionally.
I now have two dogs that are trained and also have no separation anxiety. I did however make sure they went out just before I went to bed and I was up early to let them out - and the crate is never a punishment. It is a safe secure den for them.
You don't need it, but I found it a very useful tool.

[Girlintheframe]

We crate trained ours mainly because we had a bad experience when previous lab chewed the kitchen up overnight.
He only stayed in it until he was a year but prior to that used it quite happily overnight. I'm quite glad we did tbh as if he ever needs to stay with the vet or needs crate rest after an op etc we know it won't upset him.

[BiteyShark]

We used a crate for the first year. Kept him safe and then we simply stopped using it when he decided he didn't want to sleep in it anymore and by that time he could be trusted to not eat anything he shouldn't.

[RLGGG]

We crate trained our border terrier and it worked really well for us. He felt safe, we didn't close it unless we were travelling with him or at someone else's house and it served as a comfy portable bedroom for him. At about a year we swapped it for a bigger bed and he transitioned really well. We now have a fully house trained, lovely, settled little boy who goes to bed and wakes up when we do (or sometimes earlier if he takes himself off lol). Would highly recommend :)

[vanillandhoney]

With a small child in the house I would absolutely crate train, just so the puppy has it's own space where it can enjoy a chew and rest in peace.

We never crated ours as we don't have children and didn't feel it was necessary, but they're great tools to have.

[Ginger153]

It say go for it. A few short days of adjustment is worth it. I didn't and then my dog had an operation and there was no choice. Now he goes in it when he needs to and is safe space too. Enjoy the new pup!

[Aus84]

I have a mini schnauzer puppy and a bouncy 6 year old too! He really loves his crate for the security it gives him. We initially had it in the bedroom with us until he was sleeping through (outside for toileting every two/three hours for the first few weeks) then we moved him into the laundry. When he's tired or had enough of the kids he takes himself to bed. We leave the door open and sometimes he sleeps next to it rather than in it. They don't like to pee where they sleep, so if you don't have him enclosed you'll be forever cleaning up his/her messes.

[Mooey89]

Ah thanks everyone! Aus how old is your MS now? We’re so excited. I’ve never owned one before but everything we’ve read says what lovely family dogs they are.

PS, pics for you all just because 😂

[ducksback]

Hate caging animals and have never done it. Your dog can have a lovely den without it being a cage with a door on. Don't do it.

[PrayingandHoping]

Crate training is a valuable life skill for your dog. If your dog ever injured itself and has to go on crate rest it will already be happy and settled. Without this skill dogs get incredibly distressed and recovery takes longer and they often injure themselves further

They however must be used correctly. Both mine were crate trained as pups. The crates have not been out for years but on the odd occasion where we go somewhere and they need to go in a crate they happily go in and settle.

[Windyatthebeach]

Have you chosen yours op??

[ducksback]

Funny how dogs in years gone by managed fine without this 'skill' isn't it?

Crates are not for dogs' wellbeing they are for humans' convenience.

[PrayingandHoping]

Well if your dog does a cruciate ligament and needs an extended period of crate rest there is no option.

No idea how people rehabbed that in years gone by but it is how it is rehabbed now (along with other injuries)

[TheoneandObi]

We tried and failed. In hindsight it would have made for an easier first few months. But he (the huge Golden retriever) is nearly 2 now and there are zero issues at nightttime. He actually looks to go to bed about 9pm in our utility room.
Reasons it failed? He had a persistent dicky tum which we now know was a combination of infection and intolerance to chicken. And also we couldn't bear the howling. We were crap at controlled crying with our children when it was a thing 20 years ago too!

[ducksback]

Several of my dogs have had to have crate rest for injuries/illness and they have been fine. They do not need to be locked in a crate for hours as babies to learn these 'skills'. It is utter hogwash.

[DramaAlpaca]

I'm with ducksback. I've raised several puppies and have never felt the need to put any of them in a crate, which is just another name for a cage. In my family we don't crate dogs. Have a quiet space for them to settle yes, absolutely, but not a crate. You can raise a perfectly calm, well-behaved, happy dog without using one.

[PrayingandHoping]

@ducksback I'm glad yours coped when needed. I can tell you that's a minority from dogs who have not previously used then

Crates have to be used correctly. Shutting them away for hours is not how I've ever used a crate or how they should be used.

[ducksback]

I can tell you that's a minority from dogs who have not previously used then

How did all those dog owners/vets cope before crates I wonder...

[ducksback]

Have a quiet space for them to settle yes, absolutely, but not a crate. You can raise a perfectly calm, well-behaved, happy dog without using one

This.

[umberellaonesie]

I have also raised several puppies and used a crate for them all and have perfectly calm, well behaved happy dogs.
Puppy training is a bit like parenting you find what works for your puppy and your family and your environment.
Good luck OP with whatever way you choose to create a safe, calm sleeping chill space for your puppy.

[Aus84]

@Mooey89 he's 6 months now. The first 4 months were pretty full on- lots of cleaning up etc but he's really settled down now. They are very loving, very intelligent dogs who just want to please o

[Aus84]

Sorry posted too soon...

... all the time.

[Dreamersandwishers]

DDog 1 was crated when we took him home but quickly showed his preference for an open bed 😁He was not a chewer.
DDog 2 was a rescue and had spent a lot of time in a crate, Which came with her. She got very stressed when shown her crate and after a couple of days of barking we gave up. She sleeps close to us in her bed.
I have had to ‘rehab’ them after a couple of ops, but we did that by confining in a room filled with cushions and beds.
I realise many people use them but not for me.

[Mooey89]

Thank you everyone.
I’m leaning towards not crate training but making a little den for him in a quiet corner.
More pics from the breeder today, just can’t wait 🐾❤️