When do you crate your dog?

I know what you mean kpwlee; my dogs can be so tired that their eyes keep closing and they keep fighting sleep, but they wait for you to say the key phrase "wanna go night-night?"  They will leap and run from wherever they are and charge into the crate and wait for their night night cookie.  If we leave the door open, they keep wandering in and out like they have to check on what we're doing.  As soon as we close the door, they snuggle in and go to sleep.  (My two share a one large crate together - it's their condo)

I had some time so I did some counting on when to crate from this thread.

15 %  Dog is home alone
4 %   Only at night
30 %  Dog is home alone and at night
52 %  Dog has free reign

Thus far.  So what is your opinion DPU?
 
I know a lot of people who crate at night and while gone.

You can add my dog to the never crated stat.

He was crated for about 1 month when he first came home. He never really took to it so I confind him to the mudroom at night or when we would have to leave him home alone. By 6 mon. he was kept in the room only at night. Shortly after the gate came down, but he continued to sleep in his room for almost 2 years by his own choice. I think he liked the drafty door! He is almost 4 yr old now and has decided my son's (at university) bed is where he likes to sleep.

I have no problem with crates as a 'den'. I know a lot of dogs really like their own little cubbyhole. I can't quite get my head around a dog being crated all day. It just seems so restrictive and boring for them although I realize a lot of owners have no other options and it does insure your dog and property are safe.

Since there are stats getting collected... add another "never crate" dog to the list. I won't hesitate to if I need to w/ the next dog though.

ORIGINAL: DPU

I had some time so I did some counting on when to crate from this thread.

15 %  Dog is home alone
4 %   Only at night
30 %  Dog is home alone and at night
52 %  Dog has free reign

With the additional information the stat change to:

14 %  Dog is home alone
3 %   Only at night
28 %  Dog is home alone and at night
55 %  Dog has free reign

The above numbers can be interpreted:

• The majority does not crate.
  
• 97 % say NO to crate during the night.
  
• 72 % say NO to crate when home alone and during the night.

I dislike stats.  I see that everyone here does what works best for them and their dogs simply put.

ORIGINAL: Firestorm

I dislike stats.  I see that everyone here does what works best for them and their dogs simply put.

 
When stats don't work in one's favor they tend to be dismissed.  Then what was the purpose of your Original Posting?

Boy do your read way to much into things.  I asked out of curiousity.  I was wondering what other people did.  I had no intention of it being a poll to prove your point or anyone else's.  What is wrong with finding out what others do?  I don't like the whole stat thing because it wasn't intended as such. 

He crates himself.

ORIGINAL: Firestorm

Boy do your read way to much into things.  I asked out of curiousity.  I was wondering what other people did.  I had no intention of it being a poll to prove your point or anyone else's.  What is wrong with finding out what others do?  I don't like the whole stat thing because it wasn't intended as such. 

 
I think every now and then people should re-evaluate their crating requirements.  I just talked to one of my neighbors and he told me he crated his 5 Whippets for as much as 10 hours a day.  Then one day it dawned on him to questions why.  He worked at it and now his Whippets have free reign of the house when they are home alone. Anyway the count in summary should satisfy the OP's curiosity.

How do you count the crated at nite but the door isn't closed puppers?  I've tried to keep some of the boys upstairs at nite and they want nothing to do with it.....they go downstairs and go to their crates whenever bedtime is mentioned.  Now DS's room is downstairs so maybe that's the lure, or maybe the cats, but they go in their crates and they stay there by their own choice so do they fall into the crated at nite or free at nite catagory?
 
I think thats the problem with the statistics....they don't make room for the variations.  And, I have enormous crates...big enough for TWO shepherds to comfortably spend several hours in one together so that certainly changes the tone of the "evil craters".

Glenmar, you are in the crate when home alone category.  Free reign includes dog's chooses.  The numbers are just a recap of the postings, thats all.  I found it very interestig that the majority do not crate.  It would be interesting to know if those people feel they lucked out with their dogs or if they had to do some serious effort to achieve that.

OK so mine are free reign at nite and crated when no one is home.  I too would be interested in how folks acheived the ability to leave their dogs free in the house.  I simply can't trust mine that much...german shepherds view upholstered furniture as giant stuffies that MUST be destroyed.
 
Now Tyler, my throw away, pup who came back to me because he was so destructive, couldn't be put in a crate, couldn't be housetrained, etc, is my BEST and I can and have left him loose in the house.  He likes a clear path on the stairs and wants to be the first one to go DOWN or he doesn't want to go....he will, but is reluctant....so there HAVE been times when it's just too much hassle for a dog that isn't going to do a thing but lay on the couch when I'm gone and I've left him out.  I don't honestly think that Tyler will even get off the couch for a drink when I'm gone.....I've always told him to "lay down and be a good boy" and I don't think he budges until I release him.  And I often wonder what the heck happened to him in that two months in another "home" that he is so compliant....he is totally abnormal compared to the others.
 
I also have the fire concerns, and the "what if someone gets a wild hair and gets snarky?" fears.  It is not uncommon when you have this many dogs...and five of them are males....for someone to get a bit cranky.  If I'm HOME a "that'll do" or "cut the crap" ends any little disputes, but I would be concerned about someone getting annoyed at someone and telling them off and a full fledged fight breaking out with ALL the dogs going after the offendee........
 
And, again, if you aren't home, you can't train....with the exception of Theo who will go and steal something and lay down at my feet to destroy it.....everyone is extremely well behaved when I am home.  But I've seen the sad results of boredom (destroyed recliner, destroyed couch) and once bitten twice shy.....cocker spaniels (or mine anyway) might nibble a bit, but they don't flat out EAT furniture........german shepherds, well, they're a whole 'nother story!

I think crating is important for issues of safety in the event of an emergency.  Crews can easily remove crated dogs.  I think crates are critical for the sport folk since crating provides a familiar and secure location at events.  I think crates offer a level of protection in the car when traveling.  I think crates were the greatest thing in the world since I tend to own high drive dogs who get bored easily and are inclined to examine the world with their teeth and paws.
 
I crate babies from the beginning, I recommend crating to people.  My older dogs do get the option of being out of the crate but are still confined to one room just in case containment means the difference between life and death.
 
So you are crated or confined when I am not home, when traveling, at dog events.  At night you can sleep free in my room.