Reg: 01-12-2008
Posts: 372
Loc: High Desert, California
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I understand that when you are house training a puppy you use a dog crate but is there ever a time that puppy can "graduate" to a dog bed? Or do you always use a dog crate even when that puppy is now a full grown well-behaved dog?
Reg: 08-29-2006
Posts: 2324
Loc: Central Coast, California
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I think when (and if) your dog has earned his freedom in the house you could get rid of the crate. Some people always have a crate...others don't. Depends on the dog and your lifestyle, I guess.
I agree w/Sarah- I'm sure it will depend on the dog. When I was a kid, we had a house dog (Cocker Spaniel) who never had a crate. She never chewed on furniture or peed in the house (once she was potty-trained). I never even heard of crate-training until I was grown and married. When I did, I thought ("that's terrible to keep a dog caged up!") Ha - live and learn!
Right now, I have a crate in my living room and bedroom. I have been gradually increasing his free time in the house w/me and the kids, since he's been housebroken. My goal is to have him sleep in my bedroom at night, with just a bed/mat, no crate, and only be crated in the living room during the day if we aren't home. I'd love to have him free in the house if we're gone, but we'll see how it goes. I won't be surprised if we use a crate at least sometimes for the rest of his life.
All of my dogs have the run of the house now, but both of the big dogs have crates in my van that are second homes to them. When we travel, they have a safe and secure place to kick back and relax. After working or training them, they are tired and the stress level can be up and they are both ready to get back into their crates.
My GSD is 2 years old and we still crate him when we are not home or at night if he isn't sleeping in my son's room. He can get into mischief when he is bored.
Even after my dogs are well grown and fully trustworthy in the house alone, I still leave crates up and open for their use. Some of my dogs prefer to sleep in them and some don't, it's their choice. This also leaves me the option of crating should I have to for whatever reason.
I had my crates stored before the pup came home. After reading so much I will always leave one up so I can seperate the larger two dogs when I work them. My boxer has had free reign of the house since she was a year. She still accepts the crate and will use one at horse shows and trail rides.
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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I have one dog who has graduated beyond the crate due to him showing that he routinely doesn't get into anything and a building of trust. He still has a crate but I simply haven't used it in about a year. The other two are toilet paper shredders and sleep in the crates at night until through enough routine and growing up out of it they can go beyond such antics.
Julie Wilson Webboard User Reg: 07-12-2007
Posts: 148
Loc: Washington State
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Ditto everyone else. At nearly 2 we still crate her as needed, and I have no plans to discontinue the practice...she often puts HERSELF to bed in there.
My mom raises Welsh Corgis and they all have crates they use daily (even the old retired ones!). I suppose it depends on the dog and the owner.
Stephanie St Julian Webboard User Reg: 10-16-2007
Posts: 801
Loc: Galveston, TX
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My older girl phoenix who will be one next week.
Still crates all the time.
If Jewel is bothering her or she want to be alone.
She will go in her self
Or at bed time also
I will use a crate there whole life if need be.
I like them I need a break also there good for that to.
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When I did, I thought ("that's terrible to keep a dog caged up!") Ha - live and learn! 
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