Crate training- do I have to?

[marmiteandhoney]

We've reserved a rescue puppy who'll be coming to us once they're sure she's clear of any nasties she may have picked up in the pound.

We haven't had a dog since before children, and she was an old lady dog when we got her. She didn't have a crate (I don't think people went in for that in those days) and just had a dog bed that she ignored in favour of the sofa

Before I go out and buy a crate, has anyone any experience of having a dog from puppydom without? Any arguments for and against? Although we have four fairly young children, we have a few nooks and crannies in the house that I can imagine a dog bed would fit into, and this would become the dog's space, for children to keep well clear of.

Thank you!

It's entirely up to you. I use it for my endless stream of foster puppies and find they generally find it a safe and secure place to sleep and it means they are less anxious when alone with the rest of the menagerie. I shut it at night and when I am out but leave it open during the day. I generally find they take themselves off to the crate when they are tired or nervous. Most of the pups I take start off timid, often having either been dumped or chucked out of car windows. I also used it with my own dogs with the exception of one, she just didn't get it and that was fine too, it's, in my opinion, more about the dogs comfort and safety than the owner's convenience. It does save on shoes and remote controls though!

You don't HAVE to, but I'm pro-crate

Both our dogs were crate trained from pups we never had any problems.

It's great for when I mop and Hoover (girl dog HATES the hoover) and keeps them out of trouble when DP throws his weights around!

They are used to them and use them for respite- when we have company and it gets too much for boy dog, he opens the door with his paw and settles in his den!

When we say 'bedtime', they both get up and go to their crates. Too be fair, we've made them cosy and private with pillows and blankets over them- I wouldn't mind one

Also great if we take them visiting- they settle quickly at night and we don't have to worry about them roaming/peeing in/chewing up someone else's house.

I'm pro crate (if used and introduced properly).

For all the reasons stated above and

Also it means the dog will travel and settle anywhere if the crate is there
Being crated at the vet will be no problem and cause no stress to the dog

A crate will teach a dog to relax and settle if left alone. Owner leaves default behaviour is to relax.

Dogs love having a secure warm cosy area to go to.

All the dirt can be kept in one place! When you come back from a muddy walk chuck a towel in the crate with the dog 10 mins later dry dog and just chuck towel in the wash and the rest of the house is clean

It teaches manners when people come to the door - hear doorbell and get rewarded for going to crate.

It teaches manners during mealtimes - family sit down to eat dog gets rewarded for settling in crate.

Dead easy to teach a wait command to little pups or older dogs when releasing from the crate - again a safety command that will prevent dogs jumping out of cars etc.