Do I really need a crate?

[ellangirl]

I need some advice on new puppy please! I have never used a crate for a dog or puppy before, and am not too experienced with very young puppies. The only dog that we've ever had that wasn't an adult rescue totally house trained herself- went out of the cat flap at 6 weeks and hardly ever had an accident.

So, we're about to get a puppy at nearly 8 weeks, and I want to know what the current thinking is re. crate training, is it really necessary? Our kitchen is tiny, (and non destructable!). It already has a dog gate across it, so I was going to put her bed in there just on the floor, is that ok instead of a crate?

Also, would you have a puppy in your room to start with? Again, never have before- all dogs have slept shut in a room downstairs. WWYD with a new puppy? I have read gwen bailey already, but wanted personal opinions!

Thanks in advance for your expert advice!

My dog had terrible separation anxiety, and hated his crate so he sleeps in a small kitchen with a dog gate. He used to sleep on top of his crate (was made of canvas) and used it as a hammock!

I think he would have been clean and dry faster if he had slept in crate, but got there in the end.

My sister didn't think her puppy would need a crate. He is now growing and can open doors, jump dog gates, eat bath panels and lino, reach the bread bin, open the cereal cuboard......

My mum is not impressed.

Both of my dogs are crate trained. Whippy dog loves her crate, Devil Dog can open his but will sleep in it if it is left open.

Hmm, sounds like an interesting dog dooin!
I think I'm a bit anti because the collie x rescue dog I have now was crate trained, but by that I mean put in there whenever she got too much for previous owners. The poor wee thing had rubbed her nose raw and was extremely nervous. Because of that I have been put off putting a dog in just to get them out of the way (I mean no offence to anyone who does so responsibly!) Our kitchen is tiny, generally horrible and due to be replaced. it has a tiled floor, so I'm not too worried about destruction.
shineon I don't allow my dog upstairs, and def not in the bed! It's just that the book says to put the puppy in a cardboard box or crate next to your bed at night to start with, so I was wondering if it was really necessary. I want the puppy to get off the the best start of course!

Crates make life much easier. It is easier to toilet train and means puppy can have some clear 'down time' so he/she gets enough sleep and doesn't get over tired/over excited. However, you do need to actually train the dog to like being in the crate, it's no good just sticking it in there and expecting it to like it and a crate should never be used for a punishment. (however, it is fine to stick an over excited puppy in there for a bit with a kong/bone if you or the puppy need a break)

Nothing wrong with dogs in bedroom or on beds if that's what you want. I personally always start puppies off in a crate in the kitchen (other dogs also in kitchen) at night and although they have the odd night as adults on my bed, I prefer to keep upstairs hair free, so generally they stay downstairs. Puppies shouldn't be allowed to walk up and down stairs anyway, it's not good for their joints and accidents can happen, so if you do decide puppy will sleep in a crate next to your bed, you'll need to carry her up and down. You might get less crying if the crate is in your room intially and it might help get puppy used to the crate, but other than that, it's entirely up to you where you want the puppy to sleep.

Right, so if you use a crate, is the idea that they won't wee/poo in their bed? Then during the day you take them outside as often as possible so they know that you always go outside to do the deed so to speak. I'm presuming it does away with the idea of paper training? Surely at 8 weeks a puppy can't go through the night without a wee though, so do you come down to let them out?
By the way, if someone wants to let their dog sleep on their bed, it doesn't bother me in the slightest- personally I just wouldn't get any sleep and I like my sleep too much! I shut the cats downstairs at night for the same reason!

I used a crate and she's stil in it 3 years later - it's fab

i've never used a crate. think its just personal preference really. like you i have a small kitchen and nothing precious to destroy. vinyl floor so easy to clean. a friend has small kitchen too and has a crate in hers - that would drive me mad as hardly any room to walk. her dog likes the crate so much that years later they still have it in the kitchen as she says they would feel mean removing it

we've got three dogs now. they are all adults and have the freedom of the house. until they were a few months old though they slept in the kitchen as i didnt want to risk accidents. when they were younger and i had young dcs i also kept another bed in the sitting room and dcs knew that when pup went to lie on their bed they were not to be disturbed

i do like the idea of pup sleeping next to the bed. have never tried it though. i always feel sorry for them adjusting to leaving mum and litter mates

I thought I wouldn't use a crate as I am of the theory that they are family members so can go anywhere they like.

My 2 became so destructive when left alone. We thought it was boredom, winding each other up etc.

Turns out that they both had separation anxiety and were making it worse in each other.

Now they share the biggest crate we could find, padded out with old cushions and a duvet, covered in a big blanket and they love it! Tell them bedtime and they're it in straight away.

Best £40 I ever spent!!

Crate taking up room in kitchen is definitely something to consider!! Think I will try without, and hope for the best! I have got a few more books to read to help me get more prepared. I hope it's a brave puppy that doesn't mind being away from mum! She's only going to be up the road though, so maybe we'll go back to visit :o
Thank you for all your help and advice!

Crates are very good for putting wet dog in after a bath - with a big pile of towels. Also if you go away with your dog it can travel in the crate and then sleep in it at holiday cottage without you having to worry if it is up to no god in the night. Our crate folds up and we hang it on a hook on the in the garage when not in use.

I bought my first puppy home yesterday. I didn't buy a crate as I didn't think it'd be necessary. This morning at 9.30 I was in Pets@home buying a crate. Puppy escaped from the kitchen during the night which isn't too much of a problem but she spent the entire night crying. Following advice I ignored it until this morning but when I went down to her she was in a complete state and didn't stop shaking for ages. She's now superglued to my side a all times. I've already had to have a 2 hour nap today after being awake most of the night.

How's your puppy doing dru? better in a crate? What breed is she? And how's the toilet training for your pup going shine?

Last night was loads better! The crate I bought is a bit big (not sure how large she's going to get as mum is a small Lhasa Apso and dad a poodle x schnauzer who is a fair bit bigger). The crate has a bed in it and water but there was room for her to pee which I didn't want so we put her in our room in a cat carrier with a fleecy blanket. She whined for a minute initially then slept for a couple of hours. Took her outside then she slept again until 5 ish, went outside again and I got up with her at 7. Aparrently she didn't wee at all in the night but this morning I took her out (we have fenced off part of the patio and she whined to go into the garden where she went to the loo. I guess she prefers the grass so we'll be extending the fence to include some grass for her.

The crate takes up room in the kitchen, but you can put things on it.
We only used ours for 6 months.

Just thought you'd be amused to know I want a crate, now! Now I have the little darling, I can really see the benefits of keeping her safe, and in one place without peeing e.g. when I need to go upstairs and put DS to bed etc. Have you got any tips for getting a puppy used to a crate? I am giving her some of her meals in chew toys in my temporary crate (large cat carrier!) but she still squeals for a bit before going to sleep. Will it take a long time for her to get used to it? At the moment I can't imagine her ever liking being in there...