Crate Question

JagerMonster · 07-01-2008, 10:32 AM

So I was just wondering about how long you keep the crate size small enough for them to just lay down and turn around in? I searched the archives but never did find anything regarding allowing for a little more space....not like a half and half situation but just a little more wiggle room. Or does the smaller space encourage a dog through out his entire life not to potty in the crate?

I have a x-large crate with dividers right now and wondered if this was a mistake? As I figured once he was full grown that he would use the entire crate I now know dobes are very good at curling up in a ball...

It isn't an issue now...as he is only in his crate at night time and when I leave for short errands...but as fall classes approach I will need to attend faculty meetings and then go to or teach classes...longer periods of time away.

And once old enough we wanted to give him the mudroom to roam in while we are gone...what stops them from pottying then for those of you who lets theirs roam in the kitchen??? (not an option we have an open floor plan....)

First puppy...ah the questions....the never ending questions....some of you need to be put up for sainthood the amount of questions you answer!!!!

newtodobes · 07-01-2008, 10:43 AM

I have 2 Italian Greyhounds that I've crate trained from puppies and recently got my first dobe pup :-) I think as long as the pup proves they won't potty in the crate I would keep giving them a little more room. Mona, my 4month old dobe, gets the whole crate, it's an XL crate, about 33"high and 42"long. And she's never had an accident yet! (knock on wood, haha!) They learn pretty quickly that it's 'their' space and keep it clean.

**dobermansrule** · 07-01-2008, 10:44 AM

Once they reliably stop peeing in it. I have a XLarge Furrari kennel for Quincy. He has room to standup, turn around, wallow a little, but in the end he curls up in a ball to sleep. He is 21 months old.

Linda H · 07-01-2008, 04:18 PM

Okay I don't know how long you have had him but he is close to five months old right now. If he has been good in the crate for a couple of months I don't see why you can't try him without a divider. I never had Parker in a small or divided crate but the regular large dobe sized crate. He never soiled it. I suppose it is different with different puppies. But I might add I was always with him for probably the first two or three months to the best of my memory. Maybe away for as long as his usual nap time. I can remember something about four hours now as I speak.
I just never left him in it long enough for him to need to go to the bathroom. An ounce of preventon.......goes a long way with a puppy. If they never develop a bad habit then all is good.
Try him and see what is up with him.
Oh shucks I just remembered his loose stool problem. Does he seem to hold hisself even with the stool problem??

JagerMonster · 07-01-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda H

Okay I don't know how long you have had him but he is close to five months old right now. If he has been good in the crate for a couple of months I don't see why you can't try him without a divider. I never had Parker in a small or divided crate but the regular large dobe sized crate. He never soiled it. I suppose it is different with different puppies. But I might add I was always with him for probably the first two or three months to the best of my memory. Maybe away for as long as his usual nap time. I can remember something about four hours now as I speak.
I just never left him in it long enough for him to need to go to the bathroom. An ounce of preventon.......goes a long way with a puppy. If they never develop a bad habit then all is good.
Try him and see what is up with him.
Oh shucks I just remembered his loose stool problem. Does he seem to hold hisself even with the stool problem??

Yes that is why I started to question dividing it anymore. Through all of that didn't soil in it at all....again...I was only gone short time periods. So we will see...I am trying it tonight for nigh nigh....

Linda H · 07-03-2008, 01:24 PM

How is Jager doing without the divider??

JagerMonster · 07-03-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda H

How is Jager doing without the divider??

Well last night was a true test...he whined to be let out as we are still adjusting to food...so he instead of soiling he asked to be let out. I am pretty proud of my little man

!

Thanks for asking!!!

Lori Z · 07-03-2008, 04:56 PM

The purpose of the crate is potty training. Once they get it, they get. A housebroken dog is one who holds it in the house, crate, kitchen, den, bathroom, upstairs, downstairs etc. Some dogs are trained very early and some take more time. A large dog should have a large crate. Most dogs by 5or 6 months, if you got them at 2-3 months old can be allowed in a large crate and keep it clean, they are used to holding it in a confined area. This does not include when they are ill of course. The crate is a wonderful tool and if used correctly it is very helpful in teaching a pup to hold it until you take them outside. They can also be helpful in confining a puppy, after he is pottied and exercised when you can't watch him, like you go to take a shower or you are cooking or whatever. I happen to believe crates are over used as they "should" be just tool for teaching good manners. I absolutely use them when I have young puppies but rarely once they are out of the puppy stage/adolencent stage UNLESS, showing, traveling, company is here has other dogs, house cleaner day those types of things.

**reisende** · 07-03-2008, 09:37 PM

jagermonster,
my crate is actually quite huge. giant-sized, more like. it was probably too large for moonshine when he came home at 6 months. but his potty problem had nothing to do with crate size, but being in quarantine for a month where he just potty wherever, whenever he wanted. he couldn't make the association that potty on grass outside is good and on parquet/cement/hard flooring is bad. I had to be quite drastic (tie him to me, watch over him, and just be prepared for lots and lots of accidents)

if your puppy has some loose stools, just watch him when he gets usually excited, paces very quickly and runs in circles. I took moony down for potty once, came back up and he acted like that. I thought he was just playful. but he promptly let loose his stools (argh). but it was my fault for not spotting that behaviour earlier. now I can tell quite well, if and when he really needs to potty cos of slight diarrhea.

oh, he's now very very good being in the kitchen when we're out of the house. he hasn't had a single potty accident gated in kitchen yet! I can't remember how we started out but I think it went slowly, like for an hour first, then slowly stretching it. and before kitchen, we made sure he knew potty downstairs = good and in apartment= bad.

good luck! and I hope your pup's tummy settles soon!