I never thought I'd say this but…..it's time to crate him.

[Germanshepherdlova]

I never thought I'd ask this and it took me a long time-with a great deal of forgiveness and patients towards my lab for breaking little things here and there while I am not home, but it has come to this. He needs a crate. I realized this as I was yelling at him for ripping a Christmas present to pieces-a valuable present that he chose from all the ones under the tree, it had to be that one. If I had been gone anymore than the 20 minutes I was gone, he probably would have ripped them all up. As I was yelling I realized that this was my fault, I repeat-he needs a crate.

I know absolutely nothing about crates, what to look for in a crate, or anything else. I had a strong aversion to crates, but it is for my dogs own good I now realize. I am blessed that my GSD doesn't get into stuff but apparently the lab has some separation anxiety issues.

If you have a crate that you love tell me why you love it and where you got it at. A couple things I should mention, my lab weighs about 74 lbs, and the crate must be strong because he is going to go nuts in it because he has never been crated, not that I am aware of anyhow (he is a rescue). Also any tips on introducing him to the crate are appreciated. He is about 2 years old and I don't imagine being crated for up to 5 hours at a time (while I am at school) is going to be easy for him to accept.

[sashadog]

We started out by making the crate as awesome as possible. They eat their meals in the crate, get stuffed Kong's in the crate, raw bones, anything they love comes in the crate. Another thing is that I would start by leaving the door open and feeding him in there, tossing cookies in, etc. And then, when you're home, start shutting the door for a few minutes while you're still in view. Don't put him in the crate for the first time when you're going to be gone for 5 hours.

Hopefully someone who has experience crate training an adult will chime in because all my dogs were crate trained as puppies. Now they sleep in there crates with the door open on their own. They love their crates Don't feel bad about having to crate train. In my opinion, it can actually act as a secure, comfortable place for your lab when you're gone. Who knows? He might surprise you and love it right off the bat

Also, we use the wire Precision crates and have been happy with them. I don't know how durable they are however if you're worried about your boy trying to break out.

[mysweetkaos]

We use the big metal crates with the metal pins at the corners....I can try and find a link to show you. They are very sturdy, they would not be good if you need to fold it for travel, etc...but for use at home they work. Sherman who is about 80 some lbs has a 48 inch model. It works for now, since he is only 8 months old though it won't always be so comfy. Kaos is in a 54 inch crate....yes it's massive. We reintroduced him to a crate after about 6 years without when we added S so that they could have alone time. S is the only one who is confined while we are gone. I always give him a knuckle bone, or kong filled with goodies if I am leaving to keep him occupied. I will look for a link to show you.

http://www.hayneedle.com/sale/54inch...ence_amazonnew

[fuzzybunny]

Since he's potty trained I'd by a big one so he has plenty of space. I would set it up and let him check it out. You can put some good treats in there so that he has to go in to retrieve them. Just leave it there with the door open and throw treats and his favourite ball/toys in so that he gets use to going in. Then when he's comfortable try putting him in for a very short period while you're home. When he's quiet, let him out and praise him.

[wildo]

You would be wise to buy this: Crate Games. I used these games on my foster, Gretchen- whose progress has been fully documented here: Gretchen Updates

Just yesterday, I grabbed her by the collar initiating the opposition reflex, and when I released her she literally drove into her crate. This is a dog that absolutely hated being crated. Now she will happily drive into her crate. Just watch the video on the ClickerDogs page I linked to. For a dog that hates being crated, the DVD is an excellent source of information.

[mysweetkaos]

Originally Posted by sashadog

We started out by making the crate as awesome as possible. They eat their meals in the crate, get stuffed Kong's in the crate, raw bones, anything they love comes in the crate. Another thing is that I would start by leaving the door open and feeding him in there, tossing cookies in, etc. And then, when you're home, start shutting the door for a few minutes while you're still in view. Don't put him in the crate for the first time when you're going to be gone for 5 hours.

Hopefully someone who has experience crate training an adult will chime in because all my dogs were crate trained as puppies. Now they sleep in there crates with the door open on their own. They love their crates Don't feel bad about having to crate train. In my opinion, it can actually act as a secure, comfortable place for your lab when you're gone. Who knows? He might surprise you and love it right off the bat

Also, we use the wire Precision crates and have been happy with them. I don't know how durable they are however if you're worried about your boy trying to break out.

Good advice....start very slow and short. Always make it a fun place to be. Even just 5-10 minutes a couple times a day where he can still see you...or go check the mail, etc. I also never let him out if he's acting like a fool. When we get home, he needs to be laying down quiet before I will open the door. That way he doesn't associate acting up with getting out.

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

I would just repeat what others have said, but I have a question. Since you don't like crates would it be possible for you just to shut him in a room and make sure to have all the "fun" stuff picked up and put out of his reach? Sasha refuses to be crated (though hopefully over Christmas break I'm going to fix that) and she's potty trained so I just section off part of the apartment and that's hers. That way she can't get into things that I don't want her to. It's a thought, since you don't like crates.

[chinamom2]

I have a lab and I crate her when I am not home, otherwise she spends her free time on the hunt for food and gets into things. Crating was never an issue with her and she came to me at 4y from rescue. She is only 60 pounds and in a 42 inch crate; I would get a 48 or 54 inch crate for your dog. I picked up a 2 inch foam mattress from the sewing store and covered it with a water-proof matress pad and crib sheet, better to lay on then the hard crate floor. Of course that won't work if you lab is a chewer.

If your lab is treat motivated like mine, treat in the crate. The minute Emmy hears me open the treat bag she runs to the crate to get her dog biscuit.

Crate games are a great idea, plus stick in a nylabone to chew on. It helps too if you give him some vigourous exercise before crating if you are going to be leaving him for a longer time period.

Crating isn't awful, my lab often can be found sleeping in her crate, door wide open, when I am at home. The only time she is unhappy is when the cat wants to join her in the crate.

[Freestep]

Why is it that you're averse to using crates? I think they are a godsend; I don't think I'd ever try to raise a pup (or bring in a new dog) without them. Just yesterday the electrician came out and I had the girls in their crates, it sure was a lot easier for the electrician to get his work done without two nosy GSDs in his way the whole time. The kitten following him around playing with all the wires and tools was bad enough!

[Veronica]

I was previously a crate-hater. I thought it was cruel to confine a dog for hours at a time. As a result, my previous uncrated dog ate many a leather shoes, belts, socks, underware, books, even part of a couch cushion. Fortunately that dog had an iron stomach and what went in, came out in the yard.

This time around, my first ever puppy, and first ever GSD, I crate trained. Best thing ever! Panzer hasn't destroyed anything, which is of course beneficial to me, but even better it reduces his chances of an obstruction. He doesn't have to be crated at night, but when we're gone to work, he heads right for the crate when he sees me get my coat.

Treat train. I break a treat in half and give half when he goes in and the other half when I am walking out of the house.

Check Craigslist. We got ours for $40.

You'll be glad you crate trained.