I know this goes against Ed's advice, but I havent had Kingston "crated" in months. He is used to going in and out and will hang out in his crate, but his home is out back in the patio in a kennel. Im just wondering who else uses a kennel versus a crate? Kingston is 7 months old and not much of a hassle.

If it is working for you then I wouldn't worry.

I have a kennel for outside that I used this fall and early winter ... BUT it is SNOWED IN, and we cannot use it right now ... so we're back to the Tie Up outside.

At home, we use the crate, most of the time. On occassion I will leave him confined to the kitchen with his muzzle on during the daytime, since we cannot currently get access to the daytime kennel.

If he's at my store he is either in his crate, or on leash behind the counter with me. Depends on how much I can watch him. One of his nicknames is "Shredder" ... so I like to be able to keep an eye on him.

I want to find out which IVY it is that ED uses for Kennels ... remember his nice show and tell on his video? ... that will withstand Maine weather. Comments?

I think the number one thing is that you have to find a way of living with a dog that makes sense for you. Ed recommends the crate because it really contributes to a successful relationship, it's convenient for the owner and comforting for the dog. With that said, you certainly don't have to use it if you don't want to.

I'd kill myself if I couldn't use my crates. Myself, or my dogs. But I like the dogs too much.

We have a kennel in the back yard, but it doesn't get used a lot. When we pick up a stray in the neighborhood...or need to clean a crate and don't want the dogs "helping" -- that's about it.

In the past I had never used a crate, and now using them with Bindi and COdy I would never do it without one again. THey love their crates and take their naps in them. At night my dog Bindi will lay with me on the bed, (as a favor to me she thinks) for just a few minutes while I pet her, and then she jumps down and goes into her bed. I like that. When I leave I know they are safe locked in their crates. So, for me I would highly recommend crate training. It has worked out great for me and my pups!!
God bless you

Kennel is an outdoor version of a crate. Crating is ideal for housebreaking because it is small. The dog doesnt want to pee where he sleeps, so he will hold it. If you find your pup peeing in the kennel (which some people WANT the dogs to do, so depends on what your purpose and cleanability of the kennel is), then going to a crate will help break them of that.

If you arent having any issues, then like I said, a kennel is an outdoor crate. I have 2 pups almost 1 year old, one is in a crate because he likes to play with poop in the kennel, the other is in a kennel because the times he doesn't hold it, its easy to clean up and he doesn't step in it/smear it around/decorate with it. My Dutchie cant go in the kennel, she paces back and forth for hours on end making squeeky annoying noises, so she is crated. My oldest GSD Cujo is loose in the house, or confined to a bedroom when he needs to get out of the way. I would do that with Lyka too but she likes to scratch the paint off the window trim everytime she sees something/someone to bark at.

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

I have 2 pups almost 1 year old, one is in a crate because he likes to play with poop in the kennel,

Are you referring to poop art?

Large-canvas poop art?

Yes, exactly. If anyone wants to see Tiko's magnificent poop art shoot me a PM.... where is the rolling eyeball smiley on this forum when ya need it!? Dang puppies.......