Keeping out at night

GermanSheplover111607

My german shep is 11 months old (1 year on Nov. 16)
He is currently being crated at night, but comes to work with us, so he's not in a crate for a long period of time.
I've been tempted to keep him out at night (just in our bedroom and sitting area), but I'm not sure when a good time to do it would be (age wise). He does tend to get into stuff (garbage, blankets etc) but he has been good lately and has just been chewing on his toys (we have a nyla bone, a kong and a bone)

Should we test him one night and see how he does, or is it best to wait until he's older?

Sivaro

I wouldnt just at the moment. He is still young and will end up getting into all sorts of mischief. You can give it a try if you wake up easily and leave your bedroom door open just in case. I never leave them alone to go around the home.

Mine are usually on my bed when I stop crating them

GermanSheplover111607

Well after his lovely display of what he thinks of my mouse pad, among other things I have on my desk at work. He will remain in his crate until further notice (at home that is)

There is no door way separating our bedroom from out sitting room. And they're both quite small.

When we do get a house, I'm sure we'll section off a part of the house that he won' be able to get into any mischief.

snoopified

I agree, I would say he is a little young for now.

GermanSheplover111607

Well he is now a year old. Not like it matters all that much. (turned 1 on 11/16)
But his birthday present was letting him stay out at night.
Since then, he has stayed out 3 or 4 times. All times he's stayed out, we put up a baby gate so he had to stay in our bedroom. He either layed down/slept at the foot of the bed (on the ground) or layed down next to the bed. He also had access to his crate if he desired to go in there.

It seems he has matured and would chew on his toys, not on our things.

L Knol Canine Instructor

I'd still keep the crate available. I periodically crate my dogs so that they're still crate trained. It's alway good for traveling or when having to put them in a safe place for when they're sick (has the runs) to save on damage control. The crate is near or in your bedroom right?

harlem3

i have a 9 month shep husky who is not in a crate at all. however he does do alot of damage. one from the food i am feeding him, he gets the runs, and two he gets bored and does not like his toys and chews everything. so far i need a new carpet, window sill, some parts of my staircase, and part of a door frame, oh an blinds i am thinkgin about getting a crate and crate training him. but i am not sure how to go about it. any suggestions? he is currently being kept in the garage where the only damage he can do is concrete and drywall.

bonzy

Poor baby in the garage.......my dog as I put somewhere else used to be VERY destructive because he was bored .He grew out of it after digging into a three piece suite, a double mattress etc etc.
I would never crate a dog... i think it is cruel MY opinion but still I feel strongly about it.

FancyPaws

If your dog is being that destructive then crating is definitely a good idea. Dogs are naturally den animals anyway and once they're used to the crate a lot of them tend to look at it as a place of safety.

Since your dog isn't used to be crated at the moment I would suggest short sessions. Start off by just getting them to go in there and give them a treat (don't shut the door or anything) then after a few times close the door for a minute and reassure him about what a good dog he is. You can build up from there until you are sure that your pup is completely comfortable.

It is also a good idea to teach a command word to get them to get into their crate, such a kennel or bed or whatever you're comfortable with. Before I leave the house I tell Xander to go to bed and he goes straight into his crate for me. Also never use the crate as a form of punishment otherwise you're dog will get a negative association with it.

Hope this helps.

CocoJazz

FancyPaws makes some good suggestions. To add a little to that, you may try a pen area, if you can. I've attached a picture of what I'm talking about.

If you have a problem getting him into the crate. Put some treats or dry food in the crate. Close the crate door, with your dog outside. He will want to get the treats and food subsequently trying to get into the crate. Open the door and let him in. Do this a couple of times and then anytime you are going to give him a treat or whatever, put it into the crate.

If you have him stay in the pen area, leave the crate door open with his bed in there so that he can go in and out. Make sure that you have enough chewtoys or any toys in the pen area to keep him from getting bored.

There is a lot more but this will hopefully give you a start.

Good Luck.

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