Everyone Says...crate... But...

[Cataholic]

Everyone says to crate Binx...and now at 5.5 weeks, and crate free, I am asking....is it POSSIBLE that he is a crate less doggie? He really is 100% potty trained, if only the hooman can make it home in less than 6 hours!!!!!! I don't crate him at all, and I leave the house at 830ish, return at noonish, and then again at 530ish....he NEVER gets into anything. He sleeps at my bedside ALL night....

MANY people tell me, "well, you will have to crate him eventually"...is this true???????????? He is 6 months old, has had MINIMAL accidents, and it is my preference NOT to crate....HELP ME!!!

[Karen]

You don't need to crate him, in my opinion. Our Saints, in fact none of our dogs, were ever "crate trained" and if he's not a problem, don't guilt yourslef into doing it. If you owrry about leaving him with free run of the house, buy a "baby gate" and make one room (usually the kitchen) his "crate." That's what my brother Fred did with his bouncy rescue pup, Lady. It helped his wife Jennifer when he has been away various times (he's a Reservist who has since gotten activated) when Lady would get too rowdy or too needy/pesty/naughty, the baby gate would go up with Lady in the kitchen. (Jenny, like you, was a former cats-only person.) Just as long as Binx has a nice cozy place where he feels secure, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Cataholic]

Thanks, Karen....that is exactly what the problem is. I feel as if I am doing something WRONG by not crating him! He is priceless...he doesn't mess, doesn't get into the cat food/cat litter box, he doesn't do anything!!!! I don't want to crate him...it is bad enough, FOR ME, that I have to leave him alone so much of the day....I guess if he becomes a 'puppy' in the normal sense, I can always reconsider....it is hard to convince people what a laid back puppy a ST. actually is....thanks, Karen!!!

[Cookiebaker]

My personal opinion is that it may not be necessary for all breeds. We have a lab puppy -- the crate was very necessary for us to keep our sanity. It still is, sometimes. I'm not that familiar with St.B's. whether they are mischievious or not. It doesn't sound like it, if Binx doesn't get into anything. If Malone is left alone, he gets into *EVERYTHING*. And that's why we decided to crate train.

[Karen]

Originally posted by Cataholic
Thanks, Karen....

it is hard to convince people what a laid back puppy a ST. actually is....thanks, Karen!!!

You're welcome! Give that big lug a good hug for me, okay? Good boy, Binx! Good momma, Johanna!

[primabella]

If your doing fine now without the crate-training, don't even go crazy trying to get Binx used to one. Mick got crate trained because I thought it would be easier and because my dad didn't want him roaming the house when we were out or sleeping in our rooms so we taught him to use the crate. We never used it during potty training though.

[Logan]

Johanna, I have never crated a dog. I have used baby gates at times, but that's it. I am not "anti crate" if they are used correctly, but I think proper training can be done without them too.

Hug that sweet boy for me, please!

Logan

[KYS]

I agree with everyone too.

My dogs are only partially crate trained.
Since they are trust worthy in the house, they
have free range inside.

[Uabassoon]

I never crate trained Missy, but it was because she's always been a lazy dog (takes after her mom) so I never worried about her getting into trouble. Right now she lives with my landlord who has 4 other dogs living with her and only one of those is crate trained, a Wiemeraner (sp?) who will destroy the house if left alone.

[oodlesofpoodles]

Whether you crate a dog or not you should crate train due to there may be a time the pet may need to be crated. Traveling, after having surgery, ortho Surgery usually is total confinement. When I leave my house, my dogs are crated and this is the reason.. I had 2 dogs Never been apart from each other A german shepherd and a rottweiler. The shepherd had to have surgery. I left the rotti at home. (both dogs never got into anything) That day I found out that my shepherd had cancer, only to come home and couldnt find my rottie. Caleb didnt come when I called him I got scared thinking someone broke into my house and stole my Caleb. Nothing was amiss, I started looking under beds. I found my Caleb dead. He had gotten bored I guess and ate 20 pounds of dog food. He had never been a gluten before. He had a gastric torsion (Bloat) My Caleb died from my stupidity. Had he been crated that day I would still have him. I had imported him from Europe. He was 4 years old. I am a firm believer now in crating a dog. They may not get into anything but there is always a first time for everything. Calebs first time getting into something was his last. I just dont want to take a chance on it happening to another dog.

[wolfsoul]

I think I've had about 9 dogs in my life, and all but one was perfectly house trained

Timber has never once had an accident Leather's accidents weren't her fault, and she would always know to go on the linoleum

[binka_nugget]

I think you're fine without a crate. We got one because being first time dog owners, we were paranoid. Come to think of it, it wasn't necessary. I felt guilty all the time..because he had such a little amount of space for 5 hours during the day. So I started giving him the kitchen...then the house..he was good. The only time he got in trouble was with the phone cords...but i was home so I noticed, told him no and hid them. Anyways, there's no need to crate binx in my opinion...

[jenluckenbach]

I often wondered why people had dogs if they were going to crate them for the majority of the time. I mean, the cats have free run of the house. It is their home and I could not imagine locking them up.

BUT

It is extremely important for a dog to know HOW to be in a crate without being "antsy". When they go to vet, groomer, kennel, they will be in a crate and if they do not know HOW to be in one, they will pace, bark and dig to the point of hurting themselves.

bottom line: Train them to accept the crate but don't lock them up unnecessarily.

JUST MY OPINION

[Pam]

Cataholic - First of all let me say congratulations on being a dog mommy!! I haven't read the story about how you acquired Binx but certainly intend to! I am in amazement as I am reading that this little(?) guy (haha!) is housebroken at 5.5 weeks and also wondering how he came to live with you at such an early age. Am I misinterpreting this? Do you mean he has been with you 5.5 weeks, rather than being just 5.5 weeks old? (I must be, because he should still be with Mama if he's that young). Guess I'll have to go back and read his story! Also....he never gets into anything????? Gosh I am going to have to bring Bella to the computer to read this post in a minute! haha! She will be ashamed!

I am not an expert but have used crate training in the past at the suggestion the breeders from whom I got my dogs. The main reason for this was as a housebreaking aid. Once they got that mastered, since they were used to the crate, it was a good place to keep them while Mommy and/or Daddy was away so they didn't chew up everything in sight. Bella was only crated for 4 hrs. at a time and it did help tremendously with the housetraining. It took her much longer to be 'trustworthy' around the house (we still don't trust her around the bathroom trash can - she loves tissues - used or not! ) but eventually she proved herself and the crate has been relegated to the basement where other useless things live, for almost 2 years now.

In the case of Binx - I say don't worry about a crate! If he is truly potty trained and trustworthy there is no need. Go for it! Binx you are totally amazing to me! Now on to read your story!!!

[Cataholic]

Pam
Yes, I have had Binx for 5.5 weeks now. He turned 6 months last week. BUT, he was taken from his mommy at 5 weeks