Should I crate train or does it not really matter

[Anonymous]

One possible solution: put the crate in your bedroom?

[Anonymous]

I’ve had 3 dogs and haven’t kept any of them in crates other than to help with house breaking. Assuming the dog is house broken no I wouldn’t get a crate.
Dog dens don’t have doors that lock them in so that human logic is to make the owner feel better about that choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

Great, thank you! Once I figure out what size crate I need, I'll know which size of this mattress I need.

[Anonymous]

We got rid of the crate after potty training. He was happier out of it, doesn’t chew things when left alone, and he goes easily in the crate at the groomer and vet. Honestly, I think a lot of this just depends on the dog. We had planned on crating him, but he turned out to be so chill despite being a doodle. I’m glad I didn’t buy the large expensive crate I was looking at.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s cruel and people do it for their own convenience and then convince themselves that dogs like it. No, they do not. Would you put a toddler in a cage all day?

[Anonymous]

OP, you don’t have to crate him at night. He can sleep in your room. I wouldn’t leave a new dog loose without supervision during the day, and would crate then if no one is home to watch the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s cruel and people do it for their own convenience and then convince themselves that dogs like it. No, they do not. Would you put a toddler in a cage all day?

No, but I also wouldn’t leave him home alone when I go to work, make him poop and pee outside the house, walk him on a leash, …. Dogs are not people (thank goodness for that).

[Anonymous]

Our dog sleeps in his crate in our bedroom. Can you move the crate to your room?

We also use it when we travel, but other than that never use the crate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s cruel and people do it for their own convenience and then convince themselves that dogs like it. No, they do not. Would you put a toddler in a cage all day?

No but we don't have our dog in the crate all day. I think the longest we've left her in there is maybe 4 hrs.

[Anonymous]

I am neutral on whether it’s good or bad, but I agree it can be helpful. I tried to crate train my dog and he hated it. Flipped out. I read every book and watched every video. Nothing helped. I eventually relented and he sleeps in my bed. He can be left home and doesn’t get into any trouble. Fully housebroken. But yeah, when he had to go to the emergency vet he lost his mind. I have to use groomers who don’t crate and pet sitters who will let him sleep in bed. I can’t take him to most hotel rooms, although there are some that don’t require crating. So there are work arounds. Ironically I still have the crate and he will sometimes sit in it with the door open but he would totally escalate if I tried to close the door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This wouldn’t bother my dog. She knows her schedule, so when it’s time to sleep she isn’t interested in coming out.

[Anonymous]

Look for one on FB Marketplace or Nextdoor. Go with what he is used to. I wouldn't let a new, unknown dog have the run of my house while I'm not there to supervise. Also, get pet insurance. My friends who don't use crates have needed it when their dogs eat stuff while they are gone.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s cruel and people do it for their own convenience and then convince themselves that dogs like it. No, they do not. Would you put a toddler in a cage all day?

Dogs are not toddlers.

Some dogs absolutely do like their crates. At this very moment, multiple comfy couches that the dog is allowed on are open and available for napping. But my dog is choosing to nap in the crate. The crate door is wide open, he will come out when he's ready.

[Anonymous]

My dog LOVES his crate. He will go in whenever he wants a cozy nap or to be just left alone.

It does not bother him if I come downstairs in the night. I’ll open his crate first thing in the morning, but he doesn’t usually leave his crate or really pay any attention to me until it’s time for his breakfast.