Not crate training?

[GoshenIrish]

Hello,

Our pup sleeps in our bed at night and as of now stays in the kitchen gated if we're out. I plan on puting in a doggie door so she can get to the backyard during the day when we're out. Is this wrong? I've had dogs when I was younger and we never crated and it seems like the dog would go stir crazy in there.

Is there a consensus on this? Also is it wrong for me to allow our pup to sleep in the bed, lay on the couch and all around just kick it with us at all times? I've read a lot of different training books and they seem to put a pretty stern line between where dogs can sleep etc... but we just kinda let her do what she wants and have the run of the downstairs, lay on the couch etc...

Thanks for any advice, I've never heard of crating until I started reading on training dogs I thought they were only for traveling, and it seems to be advised by a lot of folks, but I still decided to try other options, am I alone?

 

[gmacleod]

Personally I prefer not to use a crate. And with a properly housetrained dog, have no need to.

The main purpose of a crate is as a housetraining tool. That is, it provides a powerful incentive to the dog to hold on beyond the point he first feels the need to go - because the alternative is to sit in it. This helps when it is not possible to be watching the dog (nobody can watch all the time).

Soo - where you may have a problem with your plan is during those times you need to be out, before the puppy is actually housetrained. Housetraining can take several months (and usually does).

If you don't happen to have any trouble with encouraging her to pee outside, then the reasons for crating are greatly reduced. But not actually eliminated

Even if not needed for housetraining - it is in your interests to have a dog that is crate trained. Even if you won't be using the crate later. Reasons being that you never know when your dog may have to spend the night at the vet - in a crate. Or even just for travelling. In either case, it really isn't helpful if the dog isn't relaxed and happy in a crate (it can seriously add to already-stressful situations). Thus, it is probably a good idea to teach her to be in a crate - even if that's the only use you have for it.

 

[mini]

we crate during the day but everyone sleeps in the bed at night ...(yes my husband and I and 3 dogs!!) if you plan on getting more and dont want all of them sleeping in the bed I wouldnt allow them now because its IMPOSSIBLE to keep them off the bed.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Personally I think crate training is a good idea if nothing else as the first poster said you never know when the dog will be staying somewhere where crating is required such as a vet's office or you board somewhere if you go on vacation, travel, etc. It is a good idea to have the dog trained to the crate so they are comfortable in it even if you do not personally use it much yourselves.

On doing what they want, I don't personally allow my dogs to sleep with me for a variety of reasons however if this is what you want to do it should be on your terms not theirs. You should invite them up they shouldn't just take it upon themselves to get up there. Same with furniture. IMO a dog should not just have the run of the house doing what it wants to do when it wants to do it, same as a human child should not have the run of the house doing what it wants to do when it wants to do it. As with most living situations there need to be rules and boundaries which are taught and adhered to. If you want your dog on the couch while you're watching TV, hey have at it, but you should be the one to invite him/her up onto the couch type of mentality.

Again, these are just my opinions. In our home dogs are not permitted on furniture bed included. This does not mean they do not enjoy life, they get good meals, exercise, are loved dearly, have their dog beds and designated places to lay and sleep, but my couch and/or my bed is not part of that package. I guess my point is, there can still be love and you can still show them you love them without giving them total control as well.

Good luck.

 

[tianthai]

I used to crate my dog as house training tool. Now he is house trained and sleeps in our bed at night. I found it was helpful when we moved from Singapore to Dubai. Although he was not in the crate for a long time, it did not take him that long to get used to the crate again. He did not like it that much but it was OK. (He was crated about 20 hours for his journey which usually would take only 6 hours for human!).

 

[GoshenIrish]

I talked to the breeder and she said Bella was fine in her crate and crated for about four hours a day. I may buy one and introduce it to her just in case she ever needs to stay in one, but I probably won't be puting her in one for any extended period of time.

My Dad always kept puppies in his bed to potty train them, he said it was the fastest way and it helps the puppy bond to you as they're used to sleeping in packs and with thier littermates. And no kidding Bella was housebroke in about four days and never messed the bed ever, she only had two accidents so far and the last one was over a month ago (as long as it's the rooms she has access too, she doesn't typically go upstairs unless it's nighttime but she has the run of the downstairs).

Since she is for the most part potty trained I guess I don't need to be crating her like you guys posted. As for the couches etc... I love having her up here sleeping with her head on my lap, she's doing it right now but I can understand why others don't. I have young children so our furniture is trashed anyway.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

I talked to the breeder and she said Bella was fine in her crate and crated for about four hours a day. I may buy one and introduce it to her just in case she ever needs to stay in one, but I probably won't be puting her in one for any extended period of time.

My Dad always kept puppies in his bed to potty train them, he said it was the fastest way and it helps the puppy bond to you as they're used to sleeping in packs and with thier littermates. And no kidding Bella was housebroke in about four days and never messed the bed ever, she only had two accidents so far and the last one was over a month ago (as long as it's the rooms she has access too, she doesn't typically go upstairs unless it's nighttime but she has the run of the downstairs).

Since she is for the most part potty trained I guess I don't need to be crating her like you guys posted. As for the couches etc... I love having her up here sleeping with her head on my lap, she's doing it right now but I can understand why others don't. I have young children so our furniture is trashed anyway.

For us (I have a child too), it isn't about liking or not liking it, it's about respect and us being the alpha in the household. I do not ever put my dogs on the same level (figurative as well as literally) as any human member of the household. My dogs are not permitted to own anything that isn't truly theirs (ie their dog bed), and not being invited up to the couch IMO means that they feel the own it. Hopefully that makes sense. It isn't completely about keeping the couch nice (although my child has rules regarding the couch as well) or not wanting the dogs there, etc it is about keeping their proper place in our pack, that is definitely not on the same level as myself, my husband, or my son, therefore their place to sleep, eat, rest, etc is not where I do that, it is below us, and therefore on the floor or their pillows (which are on the floor).

 

[DiverDiva]

One of the instructors at my training club, who is also one of the behaviorists, advised that it is harder to establish leadership if you allow the dog on the furniture. It is not impossible to establish your leadership while allowing the dog up, but definitely more difficult, especially with a dog less than 2 years of age.

 

[Hi From NZ]

I agree with the above two posts, it makes sense to me that if your dog is always at the same level as you then there will be some blurring of your dog's 'place in the pack'. My intention is to crate train for all the good reasons mentioned earlier - toilet training, sleeping at night and for him to know there's a 'Time Out' space that's all his own, plus all the benefits of being able to travel and visit other peoples homes. However I want to allow him free roam of our home all the rest of the time - except on the beds and sofas please! I also intend to give him a blanket on the floor beside the sofa that he can call his own as well, so that my son and I can choose to come down to his level and snuggle up on the floor with him!

Having said all that, I absolutely understand boxer parents who let their dogs up on their furniture - as we all know, they are human after all... ;o)

 

[rfdfirewife]

We crate trained. I understand that it is for house breaking, and for that purpose it works wonderfully. However, I learned the hard way I can leave only 1 dog out in the house if we are gone. When you leave both out of their crates they lead each other to destroy things. So for us we crate our dogs while gone. (which is only for short periods of time) At night they have fluffy dog beds to sleep in, however Clay still likes to sleep in his crate with the door open.

Clay is the one whos bonded with his crate. He will retreat there on his own. If say a child is over and he needs quiet time he will go lay down back there. Its his "safe" place.

Yes, my dogs are allowed on the couches. I would change that if I could, but my DH likes to cuddle with them. They have ruined my couches. When we get new furniture that habit will change. They sleep on the bed at times. Dh works 24 hr shifts and when hes away they sleep with me most of the time. I have issues hearing things, and I can feel them get up. I guess it makes me feel safe. They know when DH is home they are not allowed to sleep there.

And I would be leery on a doggie door while you are away. Not only could your baby get hurt, but they are prone to "help" anyone whom wants to break in.