Crate question?

[Louby]

Hi, my lurcher pup is now 6 mths old. We have used a crate which we shut at night and if we have to leave him alone for a short while. He is now fine with this. The rest of the time its open and he goes in it of his own choice. I bought the 48 inch one but hes growing quick and I feel he wont fit in it for much longer, especially sleeping as he sprawls out. At what age would you try him out of it. I really would like him out of it at some point as its massive and our house isnt!! Also our house is pretty open plan so theres not really anywhere we can shut him in to make the transition.

 

[CAYLA]

I normally suggest possibly out sourcing the crate at around the 2 year mark, I dont crate my own, as never needed to, only if Im introducing them to the cats for first time, but we crate train all the rescues and if they go out young, I suggest the 2 years mark, it sounds like he is doing ok though, if he is going in and out of his own accord, which they do, contrary to what those who disagree with crates think

You could give it a try and if you have any problems revert straight back, as long as you dont leave the period to long before going back to crate, otherwise the trouble begins

If u are going to give it a try, place his bed in the exact spot the crate would have been in and leave him for short spaces of time at first just like when first introducing the crate.
I would have suggested a baby gate so you could gradually increase the space

her gets, but if open plan u wont beable to.
Just bear in mind 6 months is still very young, but lurchers in general are pretty easy to house train and are pretty laid back even from a young age

.

Some people never stop using them, cos dogs seem to like to keep using them

 

[piebaldsparkle]

LOL I have this problem with Ozzie my JRT (now 6). Leave him with his crate (even with door open) he's fine, but with no crate he howls and throws himself at the front door!!!!!

It's massive too as I brought the GSD size one!!!

- I often find Zeb one of the Labs curled up in there if the door is left open and Oz has been out with me.

 

[Louby]

Thanks for the replies, Cala, 2 yrs eeek!!! I hope we can get rid of it sooner

. We bought a baby gate for the kitchen, (sorry didnt explain that theres no door to it but a door frame so that is an option) as my plan was to try him in the kitchen if we left him but he cried and it was a good few weeks ago so he was too young I suppose. Hes grown so much, Im sure he could easily jump over the gate.
Looks like the crates here to stay!
Christmassparkle, he too loves the crate, I felt really cruel at first but he goes in there to sleep and when he wants time alone. Hes asleep in it now and we also have a thick vetbed in front of the fire but he prefers his little house.

 

[Damnation]

We never stopped using the crate on our younger lab. But she LOVES the crate. When she had pups we had the whelping box and then her crate out. Every chance she got she was in the crate

She stayed with her origional breeders for a while for the Scottish show. The breeder was going to put their dog in the crate and leave our one loose in the kitchen. Well. Freya (our girl) decided that when the breeder was trying to put the bedding into the crate she would hop on in, that was her for the night!

I would keep using the crate. Its like their "place" if you see what I mean?

 

[ihatework]

I had my crate in the kitchen and used it up until about 6 months of age, at which point I replaced it with a bed and used a baby gate to the kitchen and kept it like this until he was about 12 months then gradually let him have the run of the downstairs. He has never been a problem and adapted quickly.

 

[LynneB]

I bought a huge crate for my rottie male puppy - first time I have ever used a crate for any puppy - he was fine it in when I was with him (not sat in the crate with him, just in room!) first time I left him to make his breakfast he somehow caught his paw in it. I never left him in it again with the door closed. Never known anyone else have a problem with a crate, but that is typical of Bailey.
For info,not sure if you knew or not, sorry if you do, but you can get Dog gates which are much taller than standard baby gates, even my biggies cannot get over them - or get stuck in them!

 

[Louby]

Thanks for that, I will have to have a look.