We crate trained Nova who is 2 years old. The only reson we did was because when we took her on trips she was awful! There was no way we could EVER take her anywhere, so we crated her in the van and since then she just moves about a little and normally finds a nice spot to sleep. She is not in her crate all day though, there is no need for it to be used. She is comptly 100% house trained and she never gets into anything. I do liek the fact she is crate trained though because on trips to my grandmoths she loves to sleep in her crate because it is her own spot and I think it's comforting. But I dont' see why you would need to and don't stress over it, he is your dog, you don't have to crate train if you don't want. And you obviously are doing everything wonderfulyl!!

Ash