Are you supposed to crate them at night forever? Or is it a temporary thing to assist in potty-training?

Answer 1

Personal choice. I have a friend that crates his dogs every single night, and it's perfect for them.

Mine are quirky... I have two schnauzers, but only one sleeps in a kennel. I've tried 3 times to wean him off of it, and everytime I wake up to something whether it's him barking his head off at 5 in the morning, unwinding all the toilet paper, or emptying the trash. He's more than likely going to sleep in a crate for his entire life. He simply can't handle being unsupervised.

So what I'm getting at is that it's really a matter of choice. Do you want it to be temporary? Is the dog ready? Can it behave for 6-8 hours semi-unattended?

Answer 2

It is totally up to you and your dog. Some people always crate their dog, some do it just until the dog is trustworthy and some dogs will continue to sleep in the crate forever with or without the door open.

Crate training is not bad for their mentality. I'm not sure where you heard that or got it from but if used correctly a crate is like the dens that wild dogs have and will make the puppy feel safe and secure.

Answer 3

No, they don't have to be crate trained forever. My dogs were crate until they were house trained and learned what was okay to chew on and not okay to chew on. However, they both still like the crate. I do not lock them in it but they both like to still have it to lay in. There are times that i will see both dogs and the cat all laying in the crate together. It is just something they like to do and are not forced to do. They are both over 4 years old and have not been made to stay in the crate since they both were around 7 months old.

Answer 4

While they are a puppy it is to assist with potty training, but it id just personal preference when they get older. None of my adult dogs sleep in crates at night, but my puppies do until they can reliably go all night without needing to potty.

Answer 5

I have never used a crate with my dog, about first two months I had to get up every two hours all night to put him outside to do his business and every time he did I pet and cheer him and he learned pretty quick,we had few accidents,but only on the tiles,he would for some reason never do it on the carpet luckily,he has his big pillow as his spot and I've trained him very well to go there if he did something he was not supposed to do,it depends on how you want to train, how much time you willing to spend and on the dog itself as each dog is different,good luck ;-)

Answer 6

You do what you think is best. Personally, I don't believe in crating. I think it's cruel. I have never crated, and have never had a problem with any dog/puppy peeing during the night. I always bring my puppies up on the bed, and they will sleep thru the night. As soon as you feel them waking up, take them outside to their designated area to pee, and they will catch on quickly. Remember that puppies and dogs will not pee where they sleep. They just want to be by their mommy or daddy (their human ones). During the day, don't have "wee-wee" pads or newspapers in the house for them to potty on, because it really encourages them to go in the house. Just take them outsided frequently and show them their area. It takes some patience!

Answer 7

no you don't have to crate them forever just until their potty train or train the way you want them to be . Good luck

Answer 8

I use the crate till the pup is housebroke, then i use it 1 or 2 times a month to keep it use to it for traveling and going to shows, hotels, ect.

Answer 9

It's up to you. It can be temporary until they are fully housebroken or they can do it for life. Some dogs love their crates and choose to sleep in them.

Answer 10

It's just temporary. When I was house-breaking my dog it wasn't even necessary at night...........she never seemed to have accidents at night.........just when I was away. She still has her crate (I never close it anymore), and she odly enough seems to LOVE the thing.