I've used a crate, for both my two, and found them useful. It was left open during the day, and I could pop any of my dogs in when I needed.

In the context you're using one in, I used it in a similar way for Tau; unfortunately I don't think there is a Tau proof house, she isn't a problem chewer as such, just that the 'thing' you never imagine she'd get to, she somehow manages to. So it was better for her own safety that she was left crated when I was out, although I never had a problem with her over night in that way.

I also used the crate to give them time out if they got too excited as pups, just popped them in without any reprimand, let them have five mins to calm down, and then just open the door again without a fuss letting them join back in normal activity of their own accord.

Hi

We have a 10 week old pup and he has a crate. He has not had a problem with setteling in it at all, infact he loves it and goes in there everytime anytime he wants to. We do not shut the door tho, the door has been taken off to ensure he does not feel trapped in.

We was not sure at firstbut if i'm being honest , I think its the best thing we have boughthimso far! Like other posts stated, its his space and he knows that too!

My dogs have the run of the downstairs of the house, but my mate have crates for each of her 5 dogs, and they love it in them, they know when she is going out and just walks into their own crates and thats where they stay until she is back from the shops, both myself and her like to put on the radio or leave the tele on for our dogs, so they have something to listen to in the background. (spoilt rotten mine are).

I am waiting on my new puppy but have already bought a crate apparently a crate is a good idea cos they like somewhere to feel relaxed and safe, their own personal space. Everyone is different though and so is every dog, will let you know how we get on when she comes home x

We where lucky with Robbie. He was good as gold, but Loodles was a pain in the backside.

She chewed up some expencive and sentimental things which was the last straw for me.

First the dogs where shut in the kitchen when we where out which was how we discovered that she enjoyed playing with fruit and eating butter. Then she discovered that she could open the doors, so we put locks on them, she then broke them from constantly jumping at the doors. After she got out and chewed the first christmas pressent my partner ever got me, I demanded mum did something about it. She got a cage big enough for a St Bernard and started putting both the dogs in.

They both get shut in there at night and when we're out, and love it. Loodles can often be found cuddled up with one of our cats, Ellie in it during the day. There's plenty of room for them and it sure beats coming home to a distroyed house.

I still use mine. Not sure why I do. Probably because the dog will take herself to it when she's ready for bed anyway. Worked an absolute WONDER when house training her but I didn't work & could regulate exactly how long she was in it for... A family friend rescued a dog recently & he has yellow stained feet because his previous owner abused the crate.

Gosh that is far to long isnt it ,its not like hes at work then is it ?.that is such a shame . curiously how long do other people keep there dogs in a crate when they go out to work ? because this seems toooo long !

That's a good idea on having them on the cage on the night or when your out. It will protect them from any dangers if you are not around to look after them and in the night to protect them from any accidents or strange animals.

crates are great.I started to use them when we had show rotties.They both go to bed in them at night and when we nip out.

I don't use crates for my dogs. I just put them on a chain at night straight after feeding them, just so I know where they are. One of them, a red stumpy tail cattle dog, gets put on the chain whenever we go out because she will try to heel our horses if we're not home. The dogs don't seem to mind toooo much. They are under cover on the back patio. In Brisbane, we don't get the extreme cold, so it's probably a different case. I'm just not comfortable with their being able to roam at night while we sleep, especiallly as one is a german shepherd and unspeyed. We are on acreage, so secure fencing is not an option.
Lance