crate question

whiteshepherd27 · 05-15-2007, 01:35 PM

We just recently got our white shepherd. When we got him he was already house broken and crate trained. We have kept up with the crate training. I am wondering if all of you always use the crate right through adulthood or once you get to a certain point do you stop using the crate? I like the crate idea forever. Since he will not have "run of the house" while I'm gone! What are everyone's opinions. He is excellent in the crate by the way and at 5 months does not have any accidents!! Also do you give your dogs water while he is in the crate. I have been but I have been told by a few different people that you are not suppose to! That seems odd to me.

sheltiemom · 05-15-2007, 02:00 PM

I plan to keep using mine for when I am not home, but I hope that after a year or so they can graduate to dog beds in the bedroom at night, once I'm sure they are fully potty trained and no longer chewing (mine are also 5 months now).

I do not give mine water in the crates, but mine are not in there all day either. If I were gone during the day I probably would, at least until they were a bit older.

BoxMeIn21 · 05-15-2007, 02:53 PM

I dont like the idea of my dogs not having access to water during the day while I am gone, (about 8 hrs with a potty break in between).
I have the bottles that attach to the outside of the crate so it avoids any accidental spills and they have worked out pretty good.
I think your use of the crate depends on your dog and if he is able to earn his freedom and stay out of trouble.

I know some dogs who simply cannot be left out unattended, so the crate is very good idea.
I have two pretty young boxers, who are much too creative for their own good, so I only use mine when I am gone, but I have a feeling they will be using them for a while.

briteday · 05-15-2007, 06:48 PM

My dogs have always stayed in their crates at night, because they prefer to.

And they go into the crates when we are not home for more than 2 hours or so. If I have to be gone to work during the day, they are in for maybe 6 hours. If I think of it I hang a water bottle for each. If not they do fine without. But they are on a raw diet so they don't tend to drink as much anyway.

Crating at night...I'm glad my girls prefer the crate at night. The bed is not big enough for everybody. And every once in a while one of them has gi distress overnight. I'd rather clean out the plastic crate than have to clean carpeting in the morning.

Renoman · 05-15-2007, 08:14 PM

I always have the crates available to my dogs throughout their lives. To them it is their 'den', their safe haven, their 'room' they go there of their own accord, with the door left open. They go there to nap during the day or when they just need to get away from everyone else. They sleep with me at night, but during the day when I'm not home, they are crated, without water.

I do not give them water in their crates, since the crate was used for housebreaking. If you give them water, they're going to have to go and they won't naturally go where they sleep. It's just tormenting them.

I have friends that come in during the day to let them out and give them a drink but I never give them food or water in their crates. It defeats the purpose.

Lightwingcreations · 05-15-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxMeIn21

I have two pretty young boxers, who are much too creative for their own good

LOL, that pretty much sums up my reasoning also. I hope to not have to crate Blondie when she's older. I haven't had to leave water for her in her crate, but I've never been away for more than four hours. If I were to be gone for more than 5-6 hours at a time I would probably buy a water bottle to attach to her crate.

whiteshepherd27 · 05-16-2007, 12:55 PM

I agree with you both. I have not been putting water in since the first day we did. I started thinking about it and I decided that that was just encouraging having to go to the bathroom. I think I am however going to get one of the water bottles that attaches and give him a little bit at least. Not a ton..but a small amount. There are times right now when he is stuck in the crate for 5 hours or slightly more so I think he at least needs something. And don't worry everyone..he is getting let out at least once a day while I'm at work and he is very well excercised at night. Well when he wants to be. He tends to be lazy at times

LeoDLion · 05-16-2007, 02:40 PM

We have two dogs, 1.5 years and 5 months. Both of them have their own crate. We also have a door with an opening. We also leave water so they can drink and go out whenever they want.

The 1.5 year old is completely trained. The 5 month is almost train. He gets an accident once in while or when he gets upset, he wets anywhere.

The crate is open and they go in when they want to have some quiet time or if they want to sleep. The other dog will not disturb the other if they are in the crate.

We will keep the crate.

poodleholic · 05-17-2007, 06:03 AM

My dogs are nearly 6-yrs. old, so have freedom of the house, yet I keep their crates available to them (and they use them on their own accord). Since dogs may have to be crated at the vet's, or for a variety of other reasons on occasion, it's a good idea, IMHO, to keep them familiar with crate use.