[Lesley1905]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering when everyone started letting their pups out of the crate for bed time. Brody is almost 5 months old. He sleeps in his crate at night and when we are gone during the day. He hates going in his crate at night still to this day, I think he feels left out! But he is just fine and doesnt cry when we put him in there to the leave the house. I'm fine with putting him in at night, he only cries for a minute or two. Its actually my husband that wants to let him sleep in the bedroom at night lol.

 

[Rerun]

You can certainly give it a shot. I personally wouldn't let a 5 mo old sleep outside the crate at night, but all mine are taught that crates are a good thing from day one, so they go right to their crates at night and settle down to sleep right away.

If you aren't sure he's ready, but the issue is your husband wants him in the room with you, have you considered a smaller nighttime crate for the bedroom for a couple of months till he's a bit older?

you can also tether on a 4 ft lead to the bed. Put a dog bed there, maybe a safe toy (nylabone, stuffed kong, etc)

To help him like his crate more - feed him meals in it, give him a treat each time he goes into it, and ignore crying. If you let him out or go out there each time he whines he will quickly learn that whining brings mom.

 

[canadianredd]

I've never had mine in a crate at night, although he sleeps in the bedroom with the door closed. I've never had an issue...when we sleep, he sleeps. We only use the crate when we are away during the day, and it is a fun place for him to be. Stuffed Kong, toys etc. Good luck!

 

[GSDBESTK9]

5 months is still too young, if you feel there isn't anything he could get into and maybe block the door so he can't have access to other rooms, maybe give him a try. The youngest I've let one of my dogs out of the crate at night was at a year old and that was my Sam who was always a very good boy.

 

[just another truck]

I dont know what the safe age is, but the other night at 8 months old I tried it. Hunter was very happy that I left him out of the crate when we went to bed, He walked the house as proud as could be. When he finally settled down, I snuck out to see what he ws doing. He sat down with one of my wifes hi heel shoes and was knawing on that.. Not sure where he found it.. but oh well, Hunter isnt ready yet..

 

[clearcreekranch]

You can certainly give it a shot. I personally wouldn't let a 5 mo old sleep outside the crate at night, but all mine are taught that crates are a good thing from day one, so they go right to their crates at night and settle down to sleep right away.

If you aren't sure he's ready, but the issue is your husband wants him in the room with you, have you considered a smaller nighttime crate for the bedroom for a couple of months till he's a bit older?

you can also tether on a 4 ft lead to the bed. Put a dog bed there, maybe a safe toy (nylabone, stuffed kong, etc)

To help him like his crate more - feed him meals in it, give him a treat each time he goes into it, and ignore crying. If you let him out or go out there each time he whines he will quickly learn that whining brings mom.

Ditto.

 

[jakeandrenee]

Jake is 8 months and not ready yet....it's safer for him to be in there.

 

[CHawkins]

Too young.

 

[Pattycakes]

My dog is almost 16 mths and she is still crated at night. I'm doing "test" runs with her on the days she has doggie day care, she gets to stay out of her crate. So far she is doing very well.

I agree...I think 5 months is too young to be out of the crate at night. Just move the crate in your bedroom at night if you want the pup near you.

 

[liv]

My 18 month old is still in her crate at night, but is loose in the house when I leave during the day. She likes to "check" on us at night and breathes on my face from about 2 inches away, which always wakes me up. Her idea of a good time to get up is also a couple of hours earlier than mine. Every once in a while we try it to see, but it never lasts more than a night or two!

 

[Lesley1905]

Thanks everyone, I think I will leave him in their longer, I know my husband would end up putting him in the bed with us and creating a monster that way.

 

[spiritsmom]

I usually overnight crate them until at least 2 yrs old or when I am sure they can be loose in the bedroom with us. Only one of my dogs has earned the right to be loose overnight and the others have not for various reasons despite them being over 2 yrs old.

 

[doggiedad]

it's probably different for all dogs.
my dog was out of his crate
at 4 or 5 months old. everything was fine untill he turned
8 months old. then decided to eat the house
and everything in it. from 8 months old untill he was
1.5 yrs. old he was crated. when we were home he wasn't crated.
he was fine over night not being crated but all "heel" broke
loose when we weren't home.

 

[doggiedad]

in due time your dog will be able
to sleep in your bed and you won't have created
a monster. i really like our dog
being in bed with us. he curls up at the bottom of the bed.
he doesn't stay on the bed all night. his other favorite
places are on the floor right beside the bed. he will lay on my side
of the bed, my GF's side of the bed or near the bedroom door.

Thanks everyone, I think I will leave him in their longer, I know my husband would end up putting him in the bed with us and creating a monster that way.