Hi everybody, hope I am doing this ok.
I would just like to know how long it is reccommended that a dog crate is used? Is it a long term thing or only while they are young? I am using one for when I go out, which is probably only a couple of hours about 3 times a week, the dog doesn't use it at night as she sleeps in our room. If I don't put her in it she wrecks the house, holes in doors, floors etc get the picture!! She is 8 months.
I was actually thinking of putting it in my bedroom so that she can go in there when I am out but will also have a bed at night with the door open. In books it says to keep it in a family room like the lounge, but the only time she uses it nobody is here anyway, she has her own little bed in lounge for when we about.  She has no need to be put in it for any other reason, she is good when we here, good with visitors and uses the garden to wee etc.
What does everyone think?

Provided the cage/crate is the correct size for the dog that uses it, then it can be it's bed/retreat for the whole of it's life.