Should I crate train or does it not really matter

[Anonymous]

Large 1 year old dog is being rehomed to me. Currently sleeps in crate at night, but it's too small for him so I'd need to buy a new one. My house is pretty small, and to contain him, I could gate him off in the living room/dining room area. I've been doing a little bit of research, and some people say that it's important to crate train. One interesting reason I read is that at some point your dog will need to be in a crate (dog groomer, after surgery/at the vet), and it's better that they are already used to it so it's not foreign to them under a stressful situation. The vet recommends neutering this particular breed at 2 after he's fully grown, so he will be doing that surgery early next year.

Should I crate train? He will need to be left home alone at times. Should I have him sleep in the crate at night? Everyone says it's not cruel, and I believe it even though it seems sad and lonely to leave him downstairs alone in a crate at night. When he visited us he did sleep downstairs on our couch, so maybe it doesent seem lonely to him. I don't think he liked being upstairs too much. Plus it was new to him, his current home does not have stairs.

Thoughts? I just want to do what's going to be best for the long term. If that means a big ass crate in my small living room, so be it. lol

[Anonymous]

Our dog liked his crate. It was a quiet, safe space. The crate does need to be big enough for the dog though.

[Anonymous]

Yes, especially if that's what they are used to.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely have a big enough crate for him, at least for the first six months or so while he’s transitioning. But imo if he’s already housebroken you can just leave the door open.

[Anonymous]

Crates become like their dens. Definitely recommend crate training for the reasons your vet mentioned, as well as the fact that you might have to board the dog at some point and a crate-trained dog has more options than one that's not crate trained.

[Anonymous]

If he sleeps in a crate he’s already crate trained. I would definitely get one for him even though it’s big and ugly.

[Anonymous]

Yes. You will want a crate for car rides, for medical rehab should it ever happen, if you have to evacuate your house and stay somewhere else for some reason—it’s just a good skill to have, even if you don’t use it for many hours every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. You will want a crate for car rides, for medical rehab should it ever happen, if you have to evacuate your house and stay somewhere else for some reason—it’s just a good skill to have, even if you don’t use it for many hours every day.

This is key, and so true. Gives you the option if you need it. You might be able to find a crate on marketplace or Nextdoor. Wire ones are more attractive IMO than plastic, so it might not be too bad in your place with a nice crate cover over it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. I'm going to crate-train him. I will purchase a crate that is appropriately sized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. You will want a crate for car rides, for medical rehab should it ever happen, if you have to evacuate your house and stay somewhere else for some reason—it’s just a good skill to have, even if you don’t use it for many hours every day.

Another +1. It will solve many problems down the road- air travel, boarding situations, car travel, post surgery, afraid/bolts from lightning/fireworks, separation anxiety, etc.

[Anonymous]

Crates keep dogs safe. My Lab would get into a lot of trouble being left alone uncrated. He’s like a re as lot big toddler.

I would crate train yours because you don’t know what he’s like yet. He could be perfectly fine not crated but it could be a dangerous and expensive way to find out.

My dog loves her crate. We give her a PB Kong in the crate when she needs to go in it. It’s covered and she has her Snuggle Puppy in there at night. I can sleep knowing she’s safe.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I just thought of another question. One of my kids works a late shift on the weekends and gets home around 2am. He’s usually up for a few hours before he goes to bed. He’ll get a snack and sit at the kitchen island, which is in direct eyesight of the crate. When you walk into my front door you’re basically in the kitchen and you are looking directly into the living room where the crate will be. It’s all open space. My house is 1100sq and 3 levels to give you an idea of how small the area is. Sometimes I need to go downstairs in the middle of the night. Is any of this going to be a problem? The only way I could move the crate so you can’t see it from the front door or the kitchen island would be to get rid of my dining room table and move it into that corner, and that seems like a pretty big sacrifice.

And yes, I know my home is small for a big dog but he’s currently living in a condo half the size of my house and I have a fenced in backyard large enough for him to run and play catch.

[Anonymous]

Our 65 lb dog sleeps in a crate on the first floor with a light sheet over it. You want to make it like a cocoon, but room for air flow. So just figure out whatever side will maybe face a wall or something so that when people walk by it doesn't make your dog want to move around and think it's time to get out. That allows for better sleep for your dog, and helps her understand this is her own cozy space. And remember: put a really nice bed in there; no cheap flimsy bed. Look for thick, memory foam beds with waterproof bedding. You will thank me later for all the times your dog might have an accident and you saved your bed from having to be thrown out. Also, if your dog sleeps in there as much as ours does, you owe it to them to have it be super cozy and not give them bed sores. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Here is a link to the memory foam mattress we love for our crate.

https://www.amazon.com/BarkBox-Thick-Orthopedic-Memory-Enhanced/dp/B07F19WVHL/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1IQJ1SF1RR2B7&keywords=memory+foam+crate+pad+42&qid=1683468339&sprefix=memory+foam+crate%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-18

[Anonymous]

PP meant to say above that you put the sheet on maybe 3 sides and open it on the side that won't allow for viewing of people walking by, but still allows for air flow. I think you get it, but just wanted to clarify. You definitely want air flow, so just a light bedsheet over most of it, but not all. Best of luck with your new pup!