To Crate Or Not To Crate?

[Esty]

I've only had a quick scan through these replies so sorry if I repeat anything! Our whippet litter brothers shared a crate at night until they were a few months old, then just decided they hated it. They wouldn't go in it in the day and really objected at night. Until then, they had loved it - it had covers, a warm hot water bottle, plenty of blankets etc. But they were really in danger of injuring themselves trying to get out. I've never had crates with other dogs so wasn't so married to the idea that I would pursue it at all costs. It served its purpose while we needed it. Now they sleep in our room, in their own beds and usually one of them slopes off to my son's room and gets in with him - he is 13 and has Asperger's Syndrome and has been a much improved lad since we got our whippets so I will never object to them sleeping in his bed as they are my little miracle workers where he is concerned :thumbsup: During the day if I have to leave them for a couple of hours they are in a fairly whippet proof room, though it's only whippet proof becasue we got rid of the carpet that they had started EATING.

I will say they do learn that they are not allowed in the marital bed during the night! However, my husband has to leave early for work and they've learned that they are allowed in in the morning when he's gone lol. So they can be allowed in bedrooms as long as they know the rules.

 

[columbusrat]

I've just had a ceremonial folding-up of the crate. Jasper hasn't taken to it at all and although I may well have got him accustomed to it if I really worked at it, for us I decided the advantages aren't worth it. A big factor is that I work from home but only very part time and I can choose how many hours I want to do and when so I have plenty of opportunity to keep an eye on him, teach him wrong from right, and dog-proof things when I realise they're a danger to him (or vice versa). He also has a stairgated safe room, though it's also my 'office' which could become interesting... if the crate was much bigger I'd work in that :lol: I also have mild fibromyalgia which means just sitting keeping an eye on the dog is completely justifiable

Our car's too small to accommodate a crate large enough for when he's full-grown, so transport isn't an issue either.

Ultimately though, my heart's not in it. I've found with babies and children that if you're determined a certain rule will be imposed, it happens, but if your heart's not in it, it won't.

Of course, I may regret this decision when he's a destructive stroppy adolescent and eats the carpet and my work.... :unsure:

Blissed4ever, I'm so glad you've found a solution to your problems - it must be horrible seeing your older dog so unhappy.