Big Dog Owners - another crate question

Ok. Casey will be 2 in July. *For the most part* she usually only chews on paper we accidentally leave laying around, etc. No furniture or anything (I hope I don't regret that statement!). So, we decided to leave her out of her crate when we go out on the weekends for about 4-6 hrs at a time. So far, so good. Last night, we decided to let her sleep out of the crate. She was comfortable in her doggie bed and didnt want to move, so we left her. When I went down this morning, she was fine. Nothing chewed. Only problem is, she started barking around 7 to be let out. NOW - we have FINALLY gotten to the point where the barking on the weekends has stopped. We got a crate cover and she was not barking - my DH and I could finally sleep late on the weekends again without her waking us up at the crack of dawn. But I guess since she was up and about, she went to the back door and barked to be let out.

So, the issue is - should I still keep her in the crate at night since it is routine? I kind of wanted her to sleep out of the crate since she is still in it while we are at work. We are really trying to build up to not having her crated at all.

I don't know what's better....but I really do enjoy getting to sleep again! We really didn't sleep on the weekends for the first year and a half!

Re: Big Dog Owners - another crate question

depends on what you want more....sleep or to be able to trust her.

Does she actually NEED to go out when she barks? Is 7am the time she goes out everyday during the week? If so, that's a hard habit to break. It's her routine. Lucky for us, our dogs are lazy and are happy sleeping in with us (Bailey will want to go out, and woof at us, but not a full bark).

Having her sleep in her crate might be good for when you travel.....waking up your hosts at 7am to let your dog out kinda stinks.

Whatever you decide, stick to it so she knows what her routine is.....animals hate change and since you let her sleep out one night, it might take some work to get her to sleep late again.

Have you tried taking up her water at night so she doesn't drink and therefore won't have to pee so early?

Re: Big Dog Owners - another crate question

we took Tiger out of his crate at 1 and a half, and he started sleeping with us.
We left the crate out and had the cage open and occasioanally when we we out he slept in in.
I think this is a good start and that he is barking to want to go out is a good thing.
I say continue to do what you are doing. As he gets older he will learn to hold in his pee all night.

Re: Big Dog Owners - another crate question

Thanks, Shana and Diane I think I will let her sleep on her own starting tonight (we used the crate last night bc WE were so tired we didnt want to wake up early today) but this week I am going to let her sleep out of it. I am trying to gradually not have her in the crate at all.

Re: Big Dog Owners - another crate question

Have you thought about getting a doggie door? We have one for our dogs and they are able to go in and out all day. They aren't barkers or diggers so I don't really worry about them being out. Can you trust your dog to be able to move freely this way? If so, you might want to consider it. Good Luck.

Re: Big Dog Owners - another crate question

Simba's doggie bed is right next to our bed, but he always finds his way into our bed. He is quite good and usually when he feels the bed is just too crowded for him (he is so spoiled) he'll get up and go to his bed or the bathroom floor.

He doesnt bark when he wants to go out. We've noticed if we take him on a quick walk at around 11pm he wont wake hubby up itll 7. But if his last walk is at 9 he'll be getting hubby up earlier then 7. So we try to take him at 11 or anytime later.

When he wants to go he just goes up to hubby and nudges him then cries.

He knows his boundries and what he can and can not get away with.

Re: Big Dog Owners - another crate question

We did the same thing last night, let Norton sleep in our room because he was in his crate so much during the day (he's been bad with chewing stuff lately). He was up at 5:30 ringing his bell to go outside!!!!! I had to let him out because he wouldn't stop!!!

Back to the crate.....