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The doghouse

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Stopping using the crate

9 replies

changenameagain555 · 23/06/2025 23:05

Dog is about 16 months. Over last few months there has been times when he’s not wanted to go to bed in his crate. One time after I accidentally leaned on it when saying goodnight and it made a loud noise. He got over that with the help of hot dogs but then again this week didn’t want to go in. Possibly as it was too hot. Let him sleep in the kitchen for next few nights but have bribed him in with sausage tonight. He never goes in his crate in the day but did go in when we said time for bed really happily until recently. I know lots of people don’t like adult dogs using crates but my main concern is what you do on holiday. He would be fine in our kitchen but holiday cottages are often more open plan He’s not completely trustworthy. Eats socks given half a chance. I don’t think he’d chew furniture as doesn’t do that at home but feels like a bit of a risk on holiday. If we get rid of the crate could we still use it on holiday or is that mean? Presumably if he was injured we’d have to use it. Should we wait till he’s neutered? He’d be less likely to access his stitches in a crate. Or get a bigger crate. It’s a medium but he grew a bit bigger than we expected so possibly it’s a bit small (although tons of space when he’s curled up).

OP posts:
Girliefriendlikespuppies · 24/06/2025 07:12

We ditched the crate at this point, he preferred to sleep on a rug on the floor and it seemed a bit pointless 🤷‍♀️

On holiday we’ve taken a dog bed and he sleeps on that, normally he’s knackered when we’re away so doesn’t move all night!

caringcarer · 24/06/2025 07:23

My dogs slept in their crates with the door open until about 14 months, then seemed to prefer their baskets. We figured the crates had done their job and packed them away in garage. They were great whilst dealing with 2 puppies though.

LandSharksAnonymous · 24/06/2025 07:26

I’ll probably get slated for this, but any holiday cottage that allows dogs and is open plan knows the risk they are running of dogs in furniture at night and sofa chewed. Yes. You may get penalised for it, but they won’t be surprised. So, if that’s the only thing stopping you then bin it.

And I say that as someone who once owned an open plan holiday cottage that allowed dogs!

I really wouldn’t force him to use one if he’s unhappy - it’s a recipe for disaster

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/06/2025 07:46

I’m not sure I understand the logic of making a dog sleep in a crate for 50 weeks a year just because it may make your life easier on holiday for 2 weeks a year.

Our dog has never slept in a crate and has always been fine in holiday cottages. He sleeps on the bed with us and we take our own bedding.

MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast · 24/06/2025 09:07

LandSharksAnonymous · 24/06/2025 07:26

I’ll probably get slated for this, but any holiday cottage that allows dogs and is open plan knows the risk they are running of dogs in furniture at night and sofa chewed. Yes. You may get penalised for it, but they won’t be surprised. So, if that’s the only thing stopping you then bin it.

And I say that as someone who once owned an open plan holiday cottage that allowed dogs!

I really wouldn’t force him to use one if he’s unhappy - it’s a recipe for disaster

Absolutely agree!

we went to this dog friendly holiday cottage once and noticed in the handbook on arrival it said "no dogs on furniture, no dogs allowed upstairs, no dogs in carpeted rooms" (so the dog spends a week in the kitchen then?!)

no mention of this anywhere in the booking. 😡

Bridport · 24/06/2025 09:52

Let him sleep where he likes and when you go to holiday cottages just take a pile of old blankets and throw them over everything. The risk of your dog doing any damage will decline over the years and he'll have a happy night's sleep every night of that time.

changenameagain555 · 24/06/2025 10:47

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/06/2025 07:46

I’m not sure I understand the logic of making a dog sleep in a crate for 50 weeks a year just because it may make your life easier on holiday for 2 weeks a year.

Our dog has never slept in a crate and has always been fine in holiday cottages. He sleeps on the bed with us and we take our own bedding.

yes I know. It's crazy isn't it 😂I think there are still times we'd need to use the crate such as when camping as he can get out the tent porch area as not fully sealed. Will take it with us this summer as well and see how we get on.

OP posts:
tumblingdowntherabbithole · 24/06/2025 11:00

@changenameagain555if he’s properly crate trained then it shouldn’t matter if you use it daily or once a year - he should be happy to settle in it either way ☺️

muddyford · 27/06/2025 15:56

My dog uses his crate a few times a year, while visiting family . He slept in it till nine months old, now nearly four, settles really well.

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