How do I transition my dog from her crate to being free in the house?

Question

I have an 81/2 month old retriever mix. She's a good dog and hasn't destroyed anything that's not hers since we got her. I crate trained her so that she would not go to the bathroom in the house. Now I am allowing her to be out at night (she sleeps next to my bed). When is it safe to let her be free during the day?

Answer 1

Great dog!!

What you should do is leave her for small increments of time. Run errands, go to a friends house etc. Then start increasing the time. Also confine her to a certain part of the house that her crate is located but with the door open.

Then slowly - along w/ the time increase that amount of space. Make sure she knows her bounderies i.e. if she isn't allowed on furniture and keep all your doors closed just in case.

It takes baby steps - but for the first year or so I'd leave the crate up just so she has somewhere she can go to all for herself. After that you can dismantle it w/o worry that your dog will tear anything up.

Make sure the dog has a lot of exercise also. That will deter any destructrive behavior.

Good Luck

Answer 2

It's good that you crate trained her. I would keep putting her in the crate duing the day. As long as you crate trained her to where she sees the crate as a nice place to go...she won't mind being crated during the day. The crate is her safe haven. She's at the point now where she knows your routine and knows you will be back to let her roam when you get home.
But, if you really want to let her roam the house while you are gone...I would do it a little at a time. Maybe go out for 30 minutes or so and come back and see how she has done. She's still young so she is going to be very inquisitive and find all kinds of things to explore and, maybe, get her in trouble. lol Also, close off anyplace you don't want her to wander. :)

Answer 3

Do it in small increments. Leave her out like when you go shopping or are running errands. If she seems fine, then maybe you can leave her while you catch a movie. Increase her time out of the crate and being alone. Soon you'll find out how trustworthy she is.

If you are going to do this, then let her have access to her crate. Most dogs prefer a place to call their own, and since you have crate trained her, she may just want to be in there on her own.

Answer 4

I think a good way to start the transition would be to take her to the crate and give her a treat. leave the door open and leave. I would start with short planned trips, like a run for ice cream or a chat at the next door neighbors. When you come home if she has been disobedient, firmly (verbally) scold her and walk her back to the cage and shut the door. If she is well behaved treat her to a short game or a walk. She will begin to anticiapate your return with a healthy excitement. Be firm and constant. If you teach her you are the pack leader she will live to impress you.

Answer 5

Well i have the exact same problem. my chihuahua who is the same age as your dog is almost completely crate trained. but im also wondering what to do. but i think you should stick witht the nighttime thing for about a little while a month at the most. and maybe sometimes you could try letting her wander about for a little bit just to see if shes good. good luck

Answer 6

Let your dog free in the house and watch her/him closely. If your dog something bad put her in the crate. Soon she will learn that she can stay out in the house if she is good. Soon she/he will learn to stay in the house without you watching her/him.

Answer 7

try opening the door on the crate.

Answer 8

Leave her alone for small amounts of time. Then if she is good, you can leave her for longer.