Oblada - Would be interesting to know if you have changed your opinion having read these posts?

Something else i forgot to mention was my children!!!!!

I have a 2 & 5 year old and you can imagine how exciting it was for them when we got the puppy. The crate gave a clearly defined space that they were absolutely not allowed into so when oscar was tired he would take himself off there knowing he could sleep in peace (obviously really important for a puppy).

Now he doesn't tend to as the children have learnt to leave him alone and he likes being with me during the day which i am more than happy with.

I think if you don't understand crating it can seem like an enforced imprisonment when in reality all the replies have stated that the dog "chooses" to be in his crate and is never distressed in there.

, it is not a punishment it is their "bedroom". Just like a cot with a roof