Do you crate your furkids? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

autumn star · 10-09-2007, 08:25 AM

Now that we are going to be getting another puppy I need to get another crate. My hubby thinks that we should just let Autumn stay out of hers (she only goes in her crate when we go out) I am alittle worried about this being that she can be alittle naughty at times. Especially w/Christmas coming I can not imagine what she would or could do to the tree. So for those of you that have taken them out of the crate and left them free in the house what has your experience been? Have you come home to any major disasters?Would it just be better for me to go and get another crate for our new little boy?
Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!!!

fall0317 · 10-09-2007, 08:35 AM

i was skeptical about crating Beagan too, but being the fourth dog and only yorkie, he needed somewhere of his own. i went to walmart and bought this crate:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3391779

i do not like the look of the metal ones with the dividers. this one is perfect. it's home-like and it looks cute also. i lined it with a potty pad..just in case and then put a small soft velvet blanket down. i divide it with a stuffed animal that he cuddles with and some toys and a shirt that smells like me. its collapsible and fits in the car nice. he goes in there when the family sits down to eat (because i HATE dogs that beg) and at night i cuddle with him and will eventually fall asleep. i just set him in there, close the front door and leave the top open and sleeps through the night. lately, everything he thinks is worth keeping gets buried in there somewhere

lara2913 · 10-09-2007, 08:36 AM

I have never crated, ever.

If I don't trust them to have free run (i.e when they are young pups) then I will puppy proof one room to leave them in.

Winston's Mom · 10-09-2007, 08:44 AM

Both of mine are in crates with the tv on when we are at work. We were about to give Winston run of the house before we got Maggie. Winston we can trust, he never touches anything that is not his toys. Now Maggie, we would never dream of leaving her out of her crate, she is too creative, as it is we never know what we would come home to (in her crate).

To be honest, both my kids love their space, their routine. Come Monday, they both wait for me in their crate.

autumn star · 10-09-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston's Mom

Both of mine are in crates with the tv on when we are at work. We were about to give Winston run of the house before we got Maggie. Winston we can trust, he never touches anything that is not his toys. Now Maggie, we would never dream of leaving her out of her crate, she is too creative, as it is we never know what we would come home to (in her crate).

To be honest, both my kids love their space, their routine. Come Monday, they both wait for me in their crate.

Autumn seems to like hers as well. I would be more worried that she would be spiteful if we put the new puppy in the crate and let her run free. Almost like she is being removed from her own space!

JCarlson2004 · 10-09-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara2913

I have never crated, ever.

If I don't trust them to have free run (i.e when they are young pups) then I will puppy proof one room to leave them in.

Same here. I just don't like the idea of leaving them in such a tiny confined space. I let the munchkins stay in the kitchen, dining room and hallway during the day. The bedroom, living room and bathroom and closed off.

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 10-09-2007, 08:53 AM

We XPen our two boys in the kitchen, they each have their own area with their bed in it. They have done great being next to each other but having their own individual space. We don't trust the boys not to mark with us not being there. Our girls have free roam of the living room, we trust them not to cause trouble or make messes. They only have roam of that room and the kitchen so it limits what all they can do while we are gone. This has worked very well for us, with the the boys being in one area and the girls in another..

But I think you have to go with what works for you...If you trust your little one not to have accidents while you are gone, then letting them roam free is not a big deal, but neither is having a area just for them.

SugarMama · 10-09-2007, 08:56 AM

Most of the time when Sugar's home alone (which isn't often) she stays in her crate. Occasionally if I'm only going to be gone for a short time (under 1/2 hour) I'll leave her out but I have to make sure that there isn't a scrap of food or food wrapping/containers anywhere. She can steal food faster than any dog I've ever seen and she has a good nose for finding wrappers that the kids have left laying around. So far she hasn't ever had an accident or gotten into any kind of mischief while she's been unattended but I feel safer when she's in her crate. She barks for a minute right after I walk out the door and then she barks a little when she hears the garage door go up when I get home but I really think she just sleeps while I'm gone. I'm too much of a worry-wart so it brings me peace of mind to know that she can't get hurt when I'm not there to save her. At least crates for these guys are small so they don't take up too much room.

Yorkiekids · 10-09-2007, 09:02 AM

I use the little plastic crate for Penny, and she likes it. In fact if the other dogs go near it she trys to bite them. The others are let free, and the only thing I come home to is tissue being torn up.

ARCHIE · 10-09-2007, 09:06 AM

Memories

As soon as Buddy was house trained, 5mos., I allowed him free in the kitchen but he jumped the gate so I put two up. One on top of the other.
When he was around 9mos I allowed him free run of the house. He had
his moments of chewing, all the corner's off 14 throw rugs, I kept replaceing them, the leg on my dinning room chair, I repaired, corner off a throw pillow on the couch, ate the bottom out of my chair in the LR and replaced that, chewed the lights off the bottom of a pre-lite tree his first Christmas

He was 11 mos.old.
He did get better and stopped chewing everything I would say around
1 1/2 yrs. I was determined to keep him free so he would learn NOT to
destroy his home. He did finally. Nothing was really damaged that could not be fixed except the lights on the tree. I just turned the tree around
and put the bare spot in the back

the next year.
Today we're both happy camper's. He's really a wonderful 15lb bundle
of joy. (Now that it's over)

autumn star · 10-09-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Memories

As soon as Buddy was house trained, 5mos., I allowed him free in the kitchen but he jumped the gate so I put two up. One on top of the other.
When he was around 9mos I allowed him free run of the house. He had
his moments of chewing, all the corner's off 14 throw rugs, I kept replaceing them, the leg on my dinning room chair, I repaired, corner off a throw pillow on the couch, ate the bottom out of my chair in the LR and replaced that, chewed the lights off the bottom of a pre-lite tree his first Christmas

He was 11 mos.old.
He did get better and stopped chewing everything I would say around
1 1/2 yrs. I was determined to keep him free so he would learn NOT to
destroy his home. He did finally. Nothing was really damaged that could not be fixed except the lights on the tree. I just turned the tree around
and put the bare spot in the back

the next year.
Today we're both happy camper's. He's really a wonderful 15lb bundle
of joy. (Now that it's over)

All that, makes me scared to know what she could do!

ARCHIE · 10-09-2007, 10:01 AM

All that, makes me scared to know what she could do!

Your right these little chewing machines are like termites at times.
Leave her out for small periods at a time and adjust the time accordingly.
I did not want a crate in my house for longer than neccessary. I wanted a
pet that could roam free at all times and worked really hard on it.
Evertime I came home I opened the door praying I would find nothing.
When I did, I praised him to a point of insanity and when I didn't I scolded
him to no end. He got the message finally. Now it was worth it.
You have to give it a try in order to make it happen. If she is still younger
than 9mos I would give her just one room with a gate up. Take it from there
as time goes forward. Good luck.

Patti · 10-09-2007, 10:08 AM

CAli was given free reign of the house at about 10 months when I could trust her to not get into anything and I was sure here and Maya were fine together, WHen I got Pixie she was 13 months old, but not housebroken, so I put her in the playpen but she chewed her way out pretty quickly. SO I just left her in the backend of the house where the bedrooms are and all 3 of them were fine.

Connie · 10-09-2007, 10:09 AM

Both Maddie and Libby are in a crate when I'm away from the house. I just don't want to take any chances on leaving them out...especially Libby...she looks for trouble. LOL Not only am I worried about what they can get into and destroy, but I also worry about their safety and know they are safe in their crate. I do think that when you get them used to the crate, that it becomes a place of security for them. I have a wire crate and like it because they can see out.

Bizzymammabee · 10-09-2007, 10:50 AM

I usually leave Lulu free to roam. She did very well last year with the xmas tree even though she was only two months old. I don't worry about that. She is totally house broken. I do crate her if I am going out for a an extended time to be sure she doesn't get hurt. I also crate her at night when it's bed time or she will be running around playing with the cat and jumping from bed to bed. Plus it also makes it so that I am sure that she has no accidents in the house at night and will wait until morning to have to go...if she is loose seeing as she loves to go out at night and chase cats, raccoons or whatever when she is loose she begs to go out a million times.

Lulu has a wire crate so she sees everything and is not really locked away. I always leave the crate open during the day and if I am in the room she might go in and nap or sleep on the bed that she also has in the room. Sometimes I find if the kids close her crate door she will bark for me to open it so she can go in and sleep. I think the crate is a good thing.

10-09-2007, 08:25 AM	#1
autumn star Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island Posts: 6,095	Do you crate your furkids? Now that we are going to be getting another puppy I need to get another crate. My hubby thinks that we should just let Autumn stay out of hers (she only goes in her crate when we go out) I am alittle worried about this being that she can be alittle naughty at times. Especially w/Christmas coming I can not imagine what she would or could do to the tree. So for those of you that have taken them out of the crate and left them free in the house what has your experience been? Have you come home to any major disasters?Would it just be better for me to go and get another crate for our new little boy? Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!!!

10-09-2007, 08:35 AM	#2
fall0317 Donating YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 304	i was skeptical about crating Beagan too, but being the fourth dog and only yorkie, he needed somewhere of his own. i went to walmart and bought this crate: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3391779 i do not like the look of the metal ones with the dividers. this one is perfect. it's home-like and it looks cute also. i lined it with a potty pad..just in case and then put a small soft velvet blanket down. i divide it with a stuffed animal that he cuddles with and some toys and a shirt that smells like me. its collapsible and fits in the car nice. he goes in there when the family sits down to eat (because i HATE dogs that beg) and at night i cuddle with him and will eventually fall asleep. i just set him in there, close the front door and leave the top open and sleeps through the night. lately, everything he thinks is worth keeping gets buried in there somewhere __________________ Daisy & Buddy RIP Baby Beagan

10-09-2007, 08:36 AM	#3
lara2913 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,920	I have never crated, ever. If I don't trust them to have free run (i.e when they are young pups) then I will puppy proof one room to leave them in. __________________ Indy, Benjamin and Malachi There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face- Ben Williams

10-09-2007, 08:44 AM	#4
Winston's Mom Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 910	Both of mine are in crates with the tv on when we are at work. We were about to give Winston run of the house before we got Maggie. Winston we can trust, he never touches anything that is not his toys. Now Maggie, we would never dream of leaving her out of her crate, she is too creative, as it is we never know what we would come home to (in her crate). To be honest, both my kids love their space, their routine. Come Monday, they both wait for me in their crate. __________________ Nid , Winston , Maggie and Maemi (our new ten thousand blessings and beauty) Last edited by Winston's Mom; 10-09-2007 at 08:46 AM.

10-09-2007, 08:53 AM	#7
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,377 Blog Entries: 3	We XPen our two boys in the kitchen, they each have their own area with their bed in it. They have done great being next to each other but having their own individual space. We don't trust the boys not to mark with us not being there. Our girls have free roam of the living room, we trust them not to cause trouble or make messes. They only have roam of that room and the kitchen so it limits what all they can do while we are gone. This has worked very well for us, with the the boys being in one area and the girls in another.. But I think you have to go with what works for you...If you trust your little one not to have accidents while you are gone, then letting them roam free is not a big deal, but neither is having a area just for them. __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Lil Mis Magic, Sailor and Captain

10-09-2007, 08:56 AM	#8
SugarMama YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 479	Most of the time when Sugar's home alone (which isn't often) she stays in her crate. Occasionally if I'm only going to be gone for a short time (under 1/2 hour) I'll leave her out but I have to make sure that there isn't a scrap of food or food wrapping/containers anywhere. She can steal food faster than any dog I've ever seen and she has a good nose for finding wrappers that the kids have left laying around. So far she hasn't ever had an accident or gotten into any kind of mischief while she's been unattended but I feel safer when she's in her crate. She barks for a minute right after I walk out the door and then she barks a little when she hears the garage door go up when I get home but I really think she just sleeps while I'm gone. I'm too much of a worry-wart so it brings me peace of mind to know that she can't get hurt when I'm not there to save her. At least crates for these guys are small so they don't take up too much room. __________________ Have a great day! ~Mindy~

10-09-2007, 09:02 AM	#9
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I use the little plastic crate for Penny, and she likes it. In fact if the other dogs go near it she trys to bite them. The others are let free, and the only thing I come home to is tissue being torn up. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

10-09-2007, 09:06 AM	#10
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	Memories As soon as Buddy was house trained, 5mos., I allowed him free in the kitchen but he jumped the gate so I put two up. One on top of the other. When he was around 9mos I allowed him free run of the house. He had his moments of chewing, all the corner's off 14 throw rugs, I kept replaceing them, the leg on my dinning room chair, I repaired, corner off a throw pillow on the couch, ate the bottom out of my chair in the LR and replaced that, chewed the lights off the bottom of a pre-lite tree his first Christmas He was 11 mos.old. He did get better and stopped chewing everything I would say around 1 1/2 yrs. I was determined to keep him free so he would learn NOT to destroy his home. He did finally. Nothing was really damaged that could not be fixed except the lights on the tree. I just turned the tree around and put the bare spot in the back the next year. Today we're both happy camper's. He's really a wonderful 15lb bundle of joy. (Now that it's over)

10-09-2007, 10:01 AM	#12
ARCHIE No Longer A Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 16,218	All that, makes me scared to know what she could do! Your right these little chewing machines are like termites at times. Leave her out for small periods at a time and adjust the time accordingly. I did not want a crate in my house for longer than neccessary. I wanted a pet that could roam free at all times and worked really hard on it. Evertime I came home I opened the door praying I would find nothing. When I did, I praised him to a point of insanity and when I didn't I scolded him to no end. He got the message finally. Now it was worth it. You have to give it a try in order to make it happen. If she is still younger than 9mos I would give her just one room with a gate up. Take it from there as time goes forward. Good luck.

10-09-2007, 10:08 AM	#13
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	CAli was given free reign of the house at about 10 months when I could trust her to not get into anything and I was sure here and Maya were fine together, WHen I got Pixie she was 13 months old, but not housebroken, so I put her in the playpen but she chewed her way out pretty quickly. SO I just left her in the backend of the house where the bedrooms are and all 3 of them were fine. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

10-09-2007, 10:09 AM	#14
Connie Loved by Maddie & Libby Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 10,732	Both Maddie and Libby are in a crate when I'm away from the house. I just don't want to take any chances on leaving them out...especially Libby...she looks for trouble. LOL Not only am I worried about what they can get into and destroy, but I also worry about their safety and know they are safe in their crate. I do think that when you get them used to the crate, that it becomes a place of security for them. I have a wire crate and like it because they can see out. __________________ Custom doggie dresses and vests Memory is a country where I can go to see your face - but where do I go when I miss your embrace?

10-09-2007, 10:50 AM	#15
Bizzymammabee Luvs Lulu Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 6,931 Blog Entries: 1	I usually leave Lulu free to roam. She did very well last year with the xmas tree even though she was only two months old. I don't worry about that. She is totally house broken. I do crate her if I am going out for a an extended time to be sure she doesn't get hurt. I also crate her at night when it's bed time or she will be running around playing with the cat and jumping from bed to bed. Plus it also makes it so that I am sure that she has no accidents in the house at night and will wait until morning to have to go...if she is loose seeing as she loves to go out at night and chase cats, raccoons or whatever when she is loose she begs to go out a million times. Lulu has a wire crate so she sees everything and is not really locked away. I always leave the crate open during the day and if I am in the room she might go in and nap or sleep on the bed that she also has in the room. Sometimes I find if the kids close her crate door she will bark for me to open it so she can go in and sleep. I think the crate is a good thing. __________________ Lulu will always be in my heart Last edited by Bizzymammabee; 10-09-2007 at 10:52 AM.