I think it is better to have them crate trained. My Sassy was crate trained until I went on vacation and had to have two of my sister in laws here to "babysit". I left strict instructions for them to crate her at bedtime and when they went out. Sassy never minded her crate before that, in fact she would go in without me even asking her to. Evidently something changed because when I got back she absolutely would not sleep in it anymore! She barked and whined til I finally let her sleep with me so I could get some sleep. Now I am looking for a new crate to fit on my night table and re-introduce her to it. I wouldnt worry about it except when we had a tornado warning I had ahard time getting and keeping them in the crate for safety reasons. And in case of an emergency if they need to be crated then they wont stress it so much! If yours are already crate trained then do yourself AND them a favor and keep it that way.
