Hi

Im thinking of getting a cage for my puppy (when we get her in 3 weeks).  Most people I have spoken to think they are great.  What I dont know is how to use them properly eg: how long can they be left in there to start with? Should the door be kept open, if so this defeats the object of chewing.  Should they be caged at night (locked in)?  Im getting a choc lab.  i know the puppy will enjoy its cage as they like dens but I want to do it properly.  Or should I wait till Ive got the pup and just see how she goes?

Thanks

I prefer to refer to them as crates rather than cages ;) :D We got one for libby, and it was brilliant. We left the crate door open for her to wander in and out as her bed was in there, and she saw it as her den, and went in there when she had had enough of us. The only times we closed the door was when she was going to be left unattended, or if I was cooking and overnight. Its important that the crate is not used for punishment tho.
Good luck with your pup :D

i did mean crates - i would never use them as a punishment.  Thanks for that.  Ours will be called Libby too:-)

Just one other question about the crates.  Are they meant to be used just while they are puppies - 9 - 12 months etc.  I think once she is toilet trained I will be sick of seeing a huge crate in my kitchen:-)

Cheers

Well we just used the crate till she was house-trained, some people like to keep them permanently, its up to you and your available space really.

Hi Lab lover

There's an excellent book with a lot of information on crates and the right way to introduce them.  It's called The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson and it has info on lots of other things as well, like socialisation, stopping puppy biting and training exercises.  You can get it from Amazon and I'd really recommend it.

Here is a link, in the meantime, about crate training, which should help you:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/cratetraining.htm

will get the book thanks

they can be under a unit or have domething placed over the top so that they give you extra workspace.  I got fed up of erecting and folding mine (when I had pups), so it stays permanenetly in the corner of the kitchen as one of the dog beds, after all the dog bed took up same amount of room.

very true Brainless - think on a night the crate will be in kitchen - i can always move to living room during the day so its not around my feet when cooking:-)

An excellent choice of name :D :D I forgot to add, we had the crate all set up, with the bed and some toys in there when we brought her home, so she knew where her bed/den was straight away :)

I would defo get a crate straight away, we didnt get one (oh didnt like them) and boy did i know about it!! The first week was awfull she wouldnt settle on a night at all and she wrecked my kitchen and kept us awake till 3 then up at 6 :( Anyway after coming in here and having a good old moan these nice people persuded us (more the oh) to get a crate and it has been the best thing ever!! She cryed the first couple of nights for about 20mins and that was it she gose in there now about 10,30 by herself and wont even come out when oh gets up for work she waits till myself and son gets up :) We have put a sheet over it, well kingsize duvet and just leaving the front uncovered and she wanders in and out all day bless her :)

thanks piggin - no negative responses as yet - think i will probably get one x

I only came to crates about 7 years ago - and now, I don't think I would even contemplate getting a puppy WITHOUT a crate :D    So much easier on training, so many less chewed shoes, skirting boards, etc etc etc.....

Margot