Letting go of the crate

[Tammygutie]

I have a 4 month old female gsd. We bought her home at 8.5 weeks and she fell in love with her crate and has made it her sanctuary. Not a problem, we leave the door open when we are home and she comes and goes as she pleases and close the door at bed time. She slept in our room for the first time lastnight and decided at 2 am she was bored and chewed through a cord (her first cord and thankfully not plugged in).

Just wanted to get an idea at what age did other gsd owners start trusting their youngster and start fading out the crate???

[andreaB]

He was around 9 months. I find out he does not go in troubles if he is well execied , so long walks in morning.

[SukiGirl]

Suki has been sleeping outside of the crate since about 11 - 12 months. She has a bed on the floor of our bedroom and stays there all night without incident. Make sure your pup is getting exercise in the evening and is really worn out. Suki didn't really start settling down a bit till about 10 - 11 months.

The other day, we left her home alone out of the crate for a little over an hour while we went for a bike ride. When we got home, nothing was touched. The key is to leave them tired and with appropriate things to chew. Dogs will most likely always get into trouble from time to time - but you have to gauge how ready your dog is by giving them little bits of freedom at a time.

[jprice103]

6 months for both of mine. Once they slept through the night, and didn't wake up and get into trouble while I was sleeping!

[Zisso]

Mine like their crates still, at 5 yo. However, I have taken them out of the house and stored them in the garage. Mine would go in their crates to chill, to chew a bone, and I could tell them 'go to bed' and that's where they would go. Just not enough room in my bedroom to keep them set up, and the house isn't mine so they are in storage till we get our own place or need them for travels.