Comments on: The Post-Crate Nightmare: Why Your Puppy Turns Destructive (and How to Fix It!)

By: Betty York

Betty York — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:13:31 +0000

I am worried about removing the crate for insecurity reasons my boy is 2 yrs old. He has never destory ed anything

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 05 Jul 2018 18:50:26 +0000

Hello, I have an 11 month old chocolate lab who I believe is ready to de-crate as he does NOT have a chewing problem. Quick question: when leaving him alone for the short spurts outside of the crate, would you suggest keeping his dog crate door open or closed? I’m thinking that having it closed might teach him to be comfortable outside of the crate.

By: Pippa

Pippa — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 16:05:32 +0000

In reply to Valerie. It doesn't matter which room your dog sleeps in if she has a comfortable bed to snuggle down in. Sudden temperature changes can be a bit uncomfortable, but most labradors don't mind a colder room.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 12:40:47 +0000

Please can you help we were given a lab aged roughly 4.5yrs old,I allowed her to sleep on the armchairs but not the settee and so has holed both cushion on the arm chairs should I put her in the kitchen to sleep my husband says it might be cold for her,she is very food oritntated by food

By: Marlene

Marlene — Mon, 09 Jan 2017 10:41:14 +0000

I have a completely different question – I have to decide on a new dog for myself as mine passed away Nov 2016. I live alone and need to know how protective labs are. I know they are very loving & good with children but how protective are they? I’ve owned Keeshonde, Great Pyrenees and White Swiss shepherd but never before a labrador. All my other dogs have been very protective and before I make up my mind about a new dog I need to know if a lab will protect me.

By: Kathleen Ruth

Kathleen Ruth — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 18:17:34 +0000

My son has been wanting to leave our 6 month old lab out of her crate because our year old English Shepherd hardly ever goes into his crate anymore and there are no problems with him. But my little girl will chew and destroy ANYTHING she can get into her mouth when she is not supervised.
This morning all I did was move the dumpster to the curb for pickup–took about 5 minutes!–and when got back she had managed to get hold of one of my travel mugs and chewed it to pieces!
I’m glad I came across this article. I’ve been telling my son that, just like kids, all puppies/dogs are different so, just because Emmett can safely be left out of his crate, it is MUCH too soon for Lucy!

By: Kiera

Kiera — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 17:04:09 +0000

Excellent tips. I have a 4.5 month old male labrador who is the love of our lives. He is sweet, polite, and very well behaved for just a little guy. Right now, and since we got him, his crate is kept in his very own “bedroom.” He sleeps soundly 7 hours in it every night, and during the day, is left alone in it 4 hours in the morning before our pet sitter comes, and goes back in it after his walk and “fun break” for only 2 more hours before my husband is home. It is a little longer then I would like, but he seemed to adjust to it quickly, and of course we did it gradually. Right now, a set of eye balls are on him 24/7 when he’s out and about, unless he’s asleep or really into his nylabone, then we allow ourselves to ‘run upstairs to get something, or grab a snack from the kitchen.’ While mouthy with hands when he was really little, he hasn’t been a destructive chewer yet – he did, and still occasionally grabs and pulls at things he shouldn’t like a tea towel, or my sweater strings, but stops immediately when we say no. Most of the time, he just hangs out on the couch with us, or lies by our feet to be honest. I was thinking about moving his crate down to the kitchen at 6 months, and if he still shows no sign of chewing, leaving him for 5-10 minute intervals at first. I was hoping by 9 months – one year he would have the run of the downstairs of the house, but after reading this article, I might wait longer just to be safe. Thanks for all of your tips!

By: Myra Clarke

Myra Clarke — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:16:03 +0000

I have always had labradors and have never crated any of them maybe I’ve been lucky but none of them have chewed anything they were not meant to. They were always put in the kitchen in their basket when I went out, I used to give them an old wooden table leg when they first came to us! Told them it was theirs and that’s all they chewed they also had loads of toys, infact my lab now has his own toybox!! When I come home through the kitchen door it is wonderful to be met by a wagging tail ?

By: Kathrine Nutting

Kathrine Nutting — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 10:09:07 +0000

I am getting an 18 month old Labrador in 6 weeks time. He has been partly trained as a gun dog but is now being trained as a family pet. The trainer recommended a crate. We never had a crate for our previous Labrador who we had from 8 weeks old. She was destructive up to about a year but then fine. I have a toddler granddaughter and I wonder whether the dog will like the space away from her. Any thoughts or advice please. Thank you.

By: Dennis owens

Dennis owens — Thu, 26 May 2016 14:58:30 +0000

Is it necessary to remove the crate? Winston is almost three and he loves his daytime crate…it is never closed but he uses it for his private space…when he knows we are leaving he goes in the crate and waits for a goodbye treat