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Comment by Kay White on July 16, 2014 at 12:20am

I actually got a lot of my information from people on reddit. Not the most reliable, which is why I come here now. I never really thought of it that way, his crate isn't too small or too big, its the proper size, not so big he can go potty in it but not so small he can't move, he can cirlce and get comfy and I actually leave one of his two dog beds in it because he does nap there.

I will start putting him in there and guess I will just have to get used to it. I never really thought of him being insecure while I am gone, and it does make sense.

It shouldn't be too hard to train him to go in when he sees me ready to leave, he is already trained to go in there durning dinner and not move, same with at night, I just leave the door open all day and he goes in during certain times, I guess that the only difference would be that when I leave its shuts as apposed to open.

Thanks a lot, its just that I seem to have gotten a lot of bad advice from the other site, and I am trying to slowly correct it all with help from you wonderful people. You've all been a great help since I joined.

Comment by Vicky Hay on July 15, 2014 at 9:49pm

Have to agree with Linda...there's no law that says at yy months your dog gets to roam at large and enjoy himself by consuming the household goods. Dogs are denning animals, and they actually like to have a place they can go inside. It won't hurt McCoy to reside in a crate for four hours or so.

He may even be chewing because he feels insecure. Giving him a den to stay in while you're gone may make him feel better.

Ruby goes inside her crate, which is parked next to the bed, on her own whenever she she feels like resting or if more is going on than she's used to  -- thunderstorms, for example. And it's very convenient to be able to put her in there when workmen are in the house or some other activity is going on that might harm her or that she could interfere with.

If you feel guilty about putting him in a crate that feels "too small" by human standards, it might help to get a larger, wire crate. My son lent me the large crate he used for his golden retriever. This thing came with a wire divider (same stuff as the crate's made of) that you can use to fence off a section to make it "puppy size" and then move it back or take it out to enlarge the space as Pup grows. With no visual obstruction, Pup can see out and feel like he's part of the club, but if he seems to want to be in a den, you can lay a blanket or sheet over the top to make it warmer or cozier. It was more expensive than the usual WalMart special (got it at a Petsmart), but because it's sturdy and has that divider, it was worth it.

Comment by Emily & Scout on July 15, 2014 at 8:30pm

If you tbink a crate is too small, you can also get an xpen. we do this for Jase, Scout's brother.

Comment by Linda on July 15, 2014 at 7:43pm

Who says crating a dog isn't a forever thing?  And why don't you think you should have to?  Crating protects your dog and your possessions.  Unless you are 100% certain that they won't get into something every single time then they should be crated.  Do you think it's being mean?  It's not...my dogs go into their crates just to nap during the day..it's their den.  You are not punishing him and he doesn't think of it as that.  It is a protection for him...suppose he chews the carpet and gets a chunk in his throat he can't dislodge and chokes?  Or gets into something else that can harm him that 1/10 chance that it he gets into things?  And do you really want to keep paying for things he destroys?

I do not mean to sound cranky but so many people think crating is a mean terrible thing..it's not.  If he goes in willingly when you tell him to then you started him out right.  And he learns that is HIS spot when you are gone.  I always give mine a treat when they go in their crate so for them it's a good thing.  Some day he will be 100% trustworthy to leave out but he is young yet and they can get a wild burr up their butts some days.  Mine are 10 and 12, the only time I really crate them is my female at night..otherwise forget getting any sleep...she will lick your face every time you move.  As soon as she sees me doing my nightly routine for heading upstairs she runs in her crate waiting for her treat and then settle right down to sleep.  But we did the crating when they were young and got into things.