[Britster]

I think it just depends on the dog really. Jackson began sleeping in my bed at 15 weeks old and never had an accident. From 9 weeks-15 weeks old, he was also on my bed but in a crate ON my actual bed, lol. I didn't really use a crate a whole lot simply because in those first few weeks of having him, I was home alot.

So anyways, we moved to using an ex-pen when he was probably, like, 4 months old. So I would put him in the ex-pen whenever someone was not home. Then, around 5 months old, he was allowed free roam to my whole bedroom when I was gone (I had a gate in my doorway). By 5 1/2 months old, he had free roam of the house minus the upstairs. But he's just always been pretty trustworthy when we aren't home (believe me, he's had his fair share of accidents when we ARE home, lol) but he just sleeps while we're gone so it's never been a problem.

My best suggestion is you've just gotta try it. I remember the first time I let Jackson have free roam, it was my dads idea. He felt bad because his dogs were loose and he didn't want Jackson to have to stay in the crate. So, I was like what the heck. Let's try it. Left him loose, we went to dinner and I was worrying the whole time... got back home and everything was in perfect condition. I looked through every nook and cranny in the house and nothing was out of place. It was all wood floor downstairs, no carpet, so I wasn't worried about an accident anyways, but no accidents! So, from that day on, I let him have free roam.