Phasing out crates???

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A bit of background - Star the pointer was about 10 months when we got her, we couldn't leave her AT ALL or she would make as much mess as she could. So, the lovely Cala suggested using a crate for her, which has worked a treat.
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However we've now got little Alfie dog to keep her company and she's chilled out a lot too, so we are thinking we might be able to phase out the crates??

We left them with free run off the house for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours tonight when we went out for a meal (although they were shattered and ready for bed) and came home to the house just how we had left it!!
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But I'm thinking it might not be the same if we leave them in the morning when they are ready for some fun??

So - has anyone used crates with young dogs and then phased them out?? How long did it take and how did you do it??
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My dog had phased out his puppy crate and behaved so well around the house. No sign of distress (he's a lone terrier) for couple of hours. He ALWAYS had a good run about beforehand though so he was contented when left.

I am still worrying about him desructing my lovely sofa but i am being to trust him...

Why don't you just see how it goes, u can always go back to crate if problem arises. Mine is flat packed behind the sofa just in case.

Glad to hear that Star is settling very well.
 
re read your post..

Boris's crate was in the kitchen and he wasn't too keen to go in at nights, he also had a dog bed in the living room. One night before xmas, he was bit cold and coughy so i moved the crate to the living room, he was happier (i guess its because the living room is much warmer (wimp!) and one night i left the crate door open by accident and was very suprised to see him still in it. He goes to crate at about 10 at night after his wee, he would go straight in it happily and i left the door open. it was after xmas when i decided to encourage him to go to his proper bed (swopped the bed over) and see what happens... he was still in his bed... so few days later i removed the crate and haven't looked back. it took me about few weeks to trust him. I don't think he misses the crate!

He was crated during the day then moved on to the kitchen with door shut, now left him with kitchen, living room.... he;s not going any further cos upstairs belongs to the cat.!
 
I used my crate up until my dog was about 5 months old.
I then shut him in the kitchen overnight/when I went out by using a stair gate.
When he got to about a year old he then had the full run of the house.

I was very lucky though, he was never really a chewer or homewrecker!
 
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He was crated during the day then moved on to the kitchen with door shut, now left him with kitchen, living room.... he;s not going any further cos upstairs belongs to the cat.!

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Only when i am out!!! LOL! it's sunday and i had crap nights sleep!
 
lol, thanks guys. They have their crates in a room upstairs. It's too cold down stairs and Star used to cry when it in the kitchen.
 
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