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.