My dog is about 13-14 months. He is crated when we leave and at night. He was house trained when we got him at 11 weeks he has eaten a few things that he shouldn't have as a puppy (once he tore up a trash bag and another he ate some gum) but all and all don't feel it completely necessary to watch him intently. He doesn't get into much trouble. He has never eaten furniture or anything. We have started to leave him in the house alone with the crate accessible for 15-20 min intervals but not for any longer. When we get home, he is sitting perfectly still in the dinning room staring at the door, waiting for us to get home. The only reason we do not keep him out of his crate when we leave or at night is because he has some separation anxiety and the crate seems to help with making him feel safe at times when we are gone or asleep. He has no problems going in his crate during these times, in fact he is happy to! BUT, I feel like he should eventually not need the crate and should be left alone without being locked up. What age is this appropriate and how do you wean your dog off the crate??
There is no reason to wean dogs off the crate. They should always have their own sanctuary available to them.
He is used to the crate and doesn't mind being in it, and he feels safe. This is a very good thing. He thinks of it as his home. Don't take a chance with him getting bored or anxious. He might start getting in trouble. You are using the crate in the right way. You could let him sleep in your bedroom with you, but continue to crate him when you are gone more than the 15 minutes.
The crate is like his security blanket, he is safe and warm. I wouldn't stop, in fact my boston loves to go into his. I tell him to say goodnight and he goes very willingly into his crate. I'm sure if he had thumbs he would lock it himself.
Why don't you start by leaving the crate door open at night, and see how he does?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com That way if he gets into something he shouldn't, you will be likely to hear him, and can deal with it.
If he does okay, then you can try leaving him outside the crate when you are gone,
You could also get an ex-pen or a baby gate, and confine him to one room at first, until you see that he is trustworthy. I confine my dogs to one room when I am not home.
