[aorourke]

We have just moved house and have decided that we would like to remove the crate as we can't find a spot in the house to put it without it getting in the way. We only notived this once we started planning where things were going to go. We don't have much furniture yet as we only moved country 9 months ago and only came over with clothes and a few toys for the kids. So we want to removed the crate before we get any other furniture and arrange decorating to our taste.

The reason for crating was so that he wouldn't chew furniture and get up to mischief while we were out the house, also we have two small kids and wanted the puppy to have somewhere to go so he could get some peace.
He is now going to be 2 in July and feel he is passed the chewing stage and we are going to put up stair gates so he can't wander around the house. As in the only thing he could get up to is scratch the woodwork.

He does have some separation anxiety but we are working on this and he is a lot calmer and settled than he was a year ago.

I am just trying to figure out if it will be possible and the best way to gradually take the crate away.
I had thought of taking the top off first and see how he goes and only go out the house for short periods of time and gradually build it up. Or even just leave the door open at first and see how he gets on. I will be investing in some distraction toys.
He has slept in it one with the door open and he did fine, although this could have just been a one off. Also I have been out the house for about 20 mins max with the door open (I thought my oldest DS had shut it) and all he did was go into the bedroom bin and chew tissues or my DD nappy. He still does this sometimes if we are in the house.
Any other tips would be great and I am willing to work with him and make the transition as easy as possible.

 

[Curbside Prophet]

Until you're 100% completely happy with your dog's behavior add a year and then think about weening him off the crate. But I have to say crates can make for a good end table. Heck, they even make end tables that are crates.

Personally, a crate is too valuable to not keep in the home.

 

[traininglabs]

I imagine that how you're doing it would be the best way-- move very slowly and gradually from crate to no crate. However, I would strongly urge you to keep the crate around if there's any way this is possible. Crates to dogs are like dens, hideaways, and safe places-- especially since your dog has a history of separation anxiety, a crate that is correctly introduced becomes one of the most important things to a dog over time.

This has been my experience. I think your dog would greatly appreciate having a crate. Without a safe place that he knows he can run to, he will most likely lapse back into showing more signs of separation anxiety.

 

[aorourke]

Curbside profit - I was thinking more about the crate last night and have just looked up the crate end table you mentioned but I they are too pricey. I was also thinking about may changing his crate to one that's not as bulky. He did have a wire foldable crate since a puppy and we had to sell it before we moved so I got him a plastic travel crate for the flight over, he had no problems switching over cos I changed it about a month before we moved. So he won't be bothered if I change it again. Also if I go for one that is easier to transport we can take him to friends houses or camping and he will still have somewhere to settle.

Training labs - I think you might be right about keeping the crate longer until he is totally out of it. The more I think about it the more I think i'll be woried about what he will get up to if we are out the house too long as we are training him. Then he will sence this in me.
He is an English Springer Spaniel so he has high energy levels as the moment as he is still young. So if there is a day that I don't excersice him enough and he's left in the house too long I will be worried about him.

I would still keep his plastic travel crate incase we want to take him back home for a visit.