Weening off the crate??

DH and I don't want our dog to be a "crate"dog for the rest of his life. We are crate training him until he is housebroken. My question is, at what age can we start to ween him off the crate and starting leaving him alone? My friend recommended that we do it slowly (leave him for an hour when we go to the store, then a few more hours, and so on). But, what age can we start to do this?

DH and I put him in the kitchen yesterday and today to see how he did, but he peed on the floor. He is only 6 months old, so I think it is too early. Any idea how to ween him off the crate??

Message edited 4/17/2007 9:49:46 PM.

Re: Weeing off the crate??

We weaned Scout immediately -- but confine him to the kitchen. He hasn't messed up in the kitchen since his 3rd day out of the crate or so.

If you can confine your pet, try that as opposed to just letting him out of the crate. And it shouldn't be too large an area.

Re: Weeing off the crate??

I crated her for like 8 months--she is gated in the kitchen and she hasnt gone once-I feel so much better leaving her now :)

Re: Weeing off the crate??

Yogi is just approaching 6 months and he is just getting over a bladder infection. I think that we may need to crate him for another month or so before we start to confim him. DH and I would like to do it sooner, but when we tried he peed on the floor both days. I am just not sure if it is too early for him to be left all day in confinment in a small area of the kitchen

Re: Weening off the crate??

He is prob too young, give him some time-im sure in a couple of months he will be ready--i did it gradually I left her for two hours this time, maybe three the next. Now she stays out when we are at work and when we go out-good luck!!