Transition from crate to freedom?

[Alfie]

I'm curious: at about what age have people been successful in moving from some version of crate training to your frenchie actually being able to be free in the house (ie, free to go in and out of his crate at will)?

We've been lucky so far. He hasn't had an accident in the crate since 4 months old, he loves being in there and has never barked or whined to be let out, not even the first night, and has been quick to learn at class and even enjoys his vet visits....... so, since i know there'll be eventual success, I'm not rushing him, but I'm curious about what people's experiences have been.

[gmacleod]

My dog isn't a frenchie ;) But I generally start leaving pups out of the crate unattended for short periods from about 4 months. The length of time is dictated primarily by toilet training (so we're talking minutes, not hours initially). And as the pup grows, the length of time I'm prepared to leave them out lengthens accordingly. Then it's no shock to anyone's system when I can finally leave the dog out all day long. I don't own a crate any longer, btw.

[carmiesmommy]

I kept Carmine crated until 6 months. Then I switched him over to just a gated hallway for 2 months. At 8 months he had total freedom and never had a problem.

[Deanna67]

I'm curious: at about what age have people been successful in moving from some version of crate training to your frenchie actually being able to be free in the house (ie, free to go in and out of his crate at will)?

We've been lucky so far. He hasn't had an accident in the crate since 4 months old, he loves being in there and has never barked or whined to be let out, not even the first night, and has been quick to learn at class and even enjoys his vet visits....... so, since i know there'll be eventual success, I'm not rushing him, but I'm curious about what people's experiences have been.


My Abby is a little over a year old and she is still crated during the day when Iam gone. If I am home she is out the whole time. She sleeps with me at night too. Abby tends to chew on things and I dont totally trust her not messing in the house. I had to keep my other dog in the crate during the day until she was 3 she probably could of come out earlier but I didnt trust her. :lol:

[bulldoggin30]

yeah, Dutchie is 7 months and I don't trust him yet. He will occasionally have a poop accident if I'm not careful. I'm looking forward to the day he can run the house, though! appicon

[Hudson]

Tank is 11 months old and we still crate him.

We crate him at night because he doesn't get up until 10:30 or so in the morning (literally, he is just like having a 3rd teenage daughter), so the crate keeps him out of the way.

We crate him during the day because if we didn't crate him, he would crate himself. When nothing is going on, he goes into his crate and sleeps. Just like they say, he does seem to love his little crate. He's been good in the house for about one month (he is 11 months old) but never minds going in. Sometimes when we put on our coats, he goes into the crate on his own.

Don

[imogene]

Don I am so jealous of Tank's sleeping habits

Our Belzie goes in her crate around 11 pm and wakes up by 6:45 every morning. She starts barking her "I am so lonely bark" (her crate got moved into the guest room -she snores like a freight train). When we let her out she will eventually want to go out to pee, but then she promptly goes back to sleep - either at my feet or on the couch beside me- if we put her back in her crate she barks and howls and is totally demonic evilicon. I am not a morning person, but getting 7+hours of uninterrupted sleep is better than no sleep at all:lol:

She is fine in her crate during the day, but prefers to sleep at my feet. I work from home, and have found that as long as I have a foot in her bed she will sleep for 2-4 hours in a strech. - even if we are watching a movie really loud - or if I have a cd turned up she sleeps soundly as long as there is someone close by to keep her company. The only problem with leaving her out of her crate durring the day is that if I get up, she gets up, silly puppy!

[Hudson]

I saw your picture titled "Princess Belzie".

Her crate has tie-back's! Our living room doesn't have curtains that nice and you're wondering why she howls when you don't obey her every whim? Hmm

She is a real cutie. We are debating getting Frenchie #2 and a cute little brindle like her is very tempting.

Don

[Kirby]

Our Belzie goes in her crate around 11 pm and wakes up by 6:45 every morning. She starts barking her "I am so lonely bark" (her crate got moved into the guest room -she snores like a freight train). When we let her out she will eventually want to go out to pee, but then she promptly goes back to sleep - either at my feet or on the couch beside me- if we put her back in her crate she barks and howls and is totally demonic evilicon. I am not a morning person, but getting 7+hours of uninterrupted sleep is better than no sleep at all:lol:

She is fine in her crate during the day, but prefers to sleep at my feet. I work from home, and have found that as long as I have a foot in her bed she will sleep for 2-4 hours in a strech. - even if we are watching a movie really loud - or if I have a cd turned up she sleeps soundly as long as there is someone close by to keep her company. The only problem with leaving her out of her crate durring the day is that if I get up, she gets up, silly puppy!

Tracy - Kirby is on a VERY similar schedule as Belzie and he has the same habits...the following me when I leave the room (unless in a complete state of exhaustion due to play!) when he is out of his crate, even if he is napping in his bed. I have to crate him for periods throughout the because he won't take it upon himself to lie down for a good, uninterrupted nap.

It must be a pup thing. I think she's one month ahead of him in age? I felt like I was reading my own post! I am not a morning person either! But it is so hard to resist that cute, wiggling bum and happy face even in the early am, isn't it! :p

I don't have children but I would compare having a puppy to letting a toddler run free in the house - a goofy, uncoordinated one that tries to chew on baseboards and carpet and sometimes leaves you "presents" in inconspicuous places! A full time job, that's for sure! Kirby thanks us everyday for our hard work with snuggles and kisses - he is very appreciative! :)