Hi all

I was wondering at what age do you usually stop using your puppy crates?

I have an 18 week old Shih tzu that has been dry overnight in her crate for about 3 weeks now but she still has the odd accident(weewee) indoors, she also doesn't go to the front door when she needs to go, its me taking her out and for regular short walks, and she'll go outside.

So I am wondering do you think it'd be safe for her to be left out of the crate at night yet?

Or should I wait until she is fully house trained?

I think you'll find that many crate owners carry on using the crate for their dogs to sleep in at night even adult dogs.  It's a safe and secure place for them to sleep and if you dog gets used to sleeping in the crate at night, you may find they don't want to sleep anywhere else.

I do tend to progress mine to sleeping first with the door open and then to changing to a dog bed as I don't think crates are the most attractive pieces of furniture to have in a home :). 
In my case though this might be for several months as the last few puppies I have had have shared a room with an adult dog and I have continued with a crate for the adult dogs peace as well as for housetraining reasons.
All my dogs have maintained a great affection for their crates, though, which is very usefull for travelling when hosts are always pleased to see you arrive with one I think :)
It is always variable when a dog is sufficiently bladder trained to allow more freedom at night and an element of trial and error will probably be necessary.  Of course it helps if the puppy is restricted to a washable surface which will take any stress out of the situation and a fairly limited space encourages a greater attempt at "hanging on" than might otherwise be the case.  Any accidents should not, of course, lead to any chastisement just a reappraisal of the suitation and perhaps a further spell with the cage shut.