Are crates really a necessity for puppyhood?

[LovelyMuffins]

The breeder I am getting our puppy from doesn't use them. She doesn't disapprove of them per se but did say that none of her Golden Retreiver pups have taken to them. HAving feed back from owners of her last litter (around 2 years ago) the majority did not use crates and those that did soon ditched them. Do you think this is a breed thing? I kind of want to use one to combat chewing when I am on school run etc. and speed up toilet training. What do you think?

[MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain]

I haven't used one, some people find them really useful but we managed fine without.

I used to shut the puppy in the kitchen(with a stairgate) at night, he got the toilet training really quickly TBH just with being taken outside VERY often and loads of praise for eliminating outside really.

Chewing - some are more chewy than others, plenty of exercise and toys/chews will help, keep any precious shoes etc out of reach though Maybe just take him/her with you on the school run?

I had a golden retriever as a child and it did chew. And it ate anything . Polystyrene was very memorable

[LovelyMuffins]

it age ANYTHing! :-o Oh dear, I think we'll need to move our shoes into the porch!

[bluepapermonkey]

we used one for our parson russell and she still sleeps in it 9 years later. imo did help with housetraining but more than that, it gives the dog a retreat (useful with small children in the house) and is good if travelling to unfamiliar places. we found it really useful but - obviously - a much smaller dog and the crate is still quite large (they need to be able to stand up and turn round) so you'd be looking at something fairly hefty!

hth

[AnotherLoad]

I dont use a crate. kitchen is my crate

nothing against them just dont feel the need for it.

I have a small dog and know she cant get up to any trouble in the kitchen while i pop out. but a goldie will be able to to reach higher surfaces/do more chew damage so could be useful for you.

[Flatbread]

We never really used a crate. Even when we had nine puppies, we just left them in a room. We bought a crate and it was optional for the pups. One or two slept in occasionally, but they much preferred sleeping under the sofa.

Surprisingly, we had very little damage, the edge of one blanket chewed, I think. That was it. I often left my books on the floor, there was a tv in the room etc. We just told them early on 'no' when they went to things that were not for them, and gave them one of their own toys to play with.

It was really easy. I think nipping a potential bad habit in the bud is much easier than trying to get them to unlearn a behaviour.

Good luck, sounds like you have found the pup for your family

[DonkeyTeapot]

I did use a crate when I got my miniature schnauzer - although she wasn't particularly a chewer, I was in a rented flat and couldn't risk her wrecking the place. When I tried leaving her in the kitchen (but not in the crate) to nip to the shop, she yowled so loud I could hear her from outside the building. She never had a problem with the crate, when I stood up to go out she'd trot off to it, and the same when I said "bedtime". I ditched it when I moved in with my partner who also had a dog.

No idea about golden retrievers, but I know some people use crates for the whole of the dog's life, if it's what suits them, others stop using it after a while. It just depends what sort of a dog you have, what their temperament is.

[Sleepydog]

I have a lab - tried crate for a while when we got her - but she hated it and I was never 100 % about it all so we soon ditched it.

When she was left or at night time was in the back room where little damage could be done. - she wasn't a prolific chewer but she did have a thing for shoes, so shoes were just put away.

So I don't think they are a necessity for puppyhood.

If you are out for a short while try a kong stuffed with treats.

[SnoopyKnine]

Crates are not essential however they can make life much easier. They are a great training aid and make most dogs feel very secure if used correctly.

All puppies will learn the "Wait" command in less than two days if you use a crate. A really useful and at times life saying command.

It teaches puppies the settle command again gives you peace and sometimes enforced rest for puppies is a great idea.

Can prevent separation anxiety - crate is a great place to be.

Brilliant for dogs to be familiar to crates if they stay in strange places - they will instantly be chilled and quiet if the crate comes to.

Excellent if your dog is familiar to the crate if every they have to be crated through illness or long journeys

Can prevent travel sickness is some dogs if they are already used to a crate travelling is no bother and safer in an accident.


Dogs have a quiet no disturb area which is easy for children to understand.

Teaches dogs good manners if people come to the door

Makes toilet training easier

When you come back from a wet walk (Like today) 6 dogs in their crates with towels and all mud, dirt, wet dogs in one place so cleaner house.

[Flatbread]

It is easy to teach good manners without a crate. Our dog has a fleece blanket and the command 'bed' means she goes and lies on it. Very convenient and not cumbersome to carry around. When we go over to friends for a meal, we either carry a blanket or use their mat and with the 'bed' command, our dogs go and lie down on the mat. The dogs are very easygoing about new places. We travel a lot with them in the car and they are used to sleeping in different places, probably two to three times a month. Doesn't seem to bother them at all, although girl dog is keen to have a blanket laid down as soon as we settle in, so she knows her 'spot'.

The wait command was taught naturally as we leave and enter rooms. They sit and wait till we step in/out. Same in the car, they wait till we say 'go' and they jump out.

I guess because we are in rural France we are used to very little paraphernalia in bringing up dogs. No crates, clickers or whistles. Just day-to-day normal interaction and teaching manners, without specific training sessions. It is easy for us as the dogs are with us most of the time, and so learn in an organic way. It seems to be the norm here, and i guess it fits in with our free-range approach. There is no right or wrong way, whatever works for you and your dog.

Should add though, that when we got the crate for the pups, mum was most enamoured by it. She wanted lie down first. But it was short-lived. Unfortunately her taking the best puppy toys for herself lasted longer. Now she cares for neither, and the crate and decapitated toys are lying in the garage.

[SnoopyKnine]

I didn't say it was not possible Flatbread Just that is was possible to use the crate. Please don't kick off on this thread as well.

Dogs are different and just because your dogs did not need a crate does not mean they are not useful for some people.

[BasilDonna]

I didn't use one.
I'm sure they work fine, I understand dogs don't mind them, I just could not do it. And didn't need one, TBH.

[Flatbread]

kicking off? Don't be so sensitive.

These forums are discussions, with back and forth. Wasn't invalidating your experience.

I think I have said many times that I don't believe in being fanatical about any approach. Do whatever works for your dog.

[SnoopyKnine]

The only one who is ever fanatical is you Flatbread Yet again ruining someones thread who was just asking for opinions.

You really are a nasty intolerant opinionated posted -CBA anymore

[batteryhen]

We used a crate when we got our pup. When we went to look at him before we got him though - he was in a crate with mum and dad, so was used to them. I had never used one before and wasn't keen but am so glad we did. He travels very well in it - you don't know he is in the car at all, and when he wants time alone he goes and gets in his crate.

We never use the crate as a punishment, it has to be a place of safety and reassurance for him :)

I think the only way you will know is if you try, but I don't think it is a necessity, it's just whatever works for you :)

[Puppypanic]

I'm using one for my 10 week old Dalamatian and he settles so well in it. It is his space that he can retreat to and that I can put him in safely and not worry if I get held up somewhere.

[ChickensHaveNoLips]

I had one for Jasper, and it was useful when he was tiny because it gave him somewhere safe to retreat to where he wouldn't get squashed by a falling child or we needed to keep him away for some reason. We packed it away when he was around 9 months as he just stopped going in it.

[Catsmamma]

We have one atm for the pup....he loves it now. I don't think he loved it as much at the beginning but certainly he has never peed/pooed over night since we got him at seven weeks. And he was never distressed about going in there.

Previous pups have had the run of the utility room and taken much longer to be clean at night. Although I certainly don't imagine that Keller (GSD) would have liked a crate at all.....he used to create merry hell at bed times, three months of hysteria....eventually we gave in and gave him the run of the house at about 5 months, he threw himself into his bed at the foot of the stairs and never murmured.....he just hated being shut away

I find it helpful cos for settling him for a quiet moment in the day or if you have to leave them.... you no longer have to scan the floor/house for things they might get into mischief with.

[Booboostoo]

Life is a lot easier with a crate. The puppy has a safe place to retreat to, so much safer for everyone than leaving the puppy unattended in the house, around other dogs or around young children. Helps with toilet training, with not chewing/destructive behaviour and with travelling.

Doesn't mean you can't bring up a dog really well without one, but then again no reason not to use one!

[Flatbread]

Snoopy, you are flying off the handle again. This is a forum to exchange opinions and experiences. Stop your bullying. It has no impact on me, I'm not going anywhere.