Hi!

I have read with great interest all the posts about crate training and how it's such a useful aid in other aspects of training (potty training, etc.) I have to say I was not familiar with the concept before moving to the US--I grew up in England and, 10 years ago at least, crate training was practically unheard of.

I adopted my little guy over a year ago and have not crate trained him. I may have done so if he were not so well-behaved--he is house-trained, stays alone exceptionally (just sleeps the whole time), does not chew ANYTHING (except a kong, but still only when there are treats in there!), etc. He is also older--around 8 to 10 (which probably accounts for all this laid-back behavior)--and I didn't know if he'd ever been introduced to a crate before I got him. I didn't want to freak him out by having him come to a new home and be introduced to a new concept later on in life (maybe the age thing doesn't matter, but anyway, that's how I felt!) He has many beds and areas away from the "action" (there's not much!) of the household so he has his own spot to go to and feel safe in (from what I understand, that is a very important aspect of the crate).

Anyway, my question is: What are people's individual thoughts (or the prevailing opinion) on the necessity of crate training for a dog such as mine? Did I do him a disservice by not crate training, and what should I advise my friend who has just adopted a similar dog (older, no obvious training issues)? Could it even be considered detrimental to try to crate train an older dog who may never have seen a crate? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

- Ruth & Mr.B

Since your guy is so well behaved I wouldn't put him through crate training now...JMO.  Mine aren't crated during the day. 

I will say that crate training comes in handy for things like house training a new puppy and keeping them safe from household hazards.  Also, if you ever need to restrict your dog's activity it's very handy.  I've got a little guy with a herniated disk and when it first acted up we had to crate him most of the time to keep him from playing, running, jumping, etc. so that he would recover quicker. 

All that to say that if you ever get another dog you may want to consider the crate training.  JMO

Though crate training can teach a dog to hold their bodily eliminations a bit longer, that is not actually why I like to crate train.  I like my dogs to be crated for car traveling & when visiting other people's houses overnight.  Sometimes the vet says to confine for recoooperation after surgery or injuries.    Sometimes you need to board them, confine them in a motel or the vet needs to keep them overnight.  If you wait to introduce crates later, the dogs often perceive them as punishment.  So I start from day one teaching my puppies to sleep in their crate at night so they think of the crate as "their little palace".  Then when they must be confined for whatever reason they don't freak out.  The crate actually helps Button settle right down & go to sleep in the car when we take her on a long  trips.  The potty training facilitation is just a "fringe benefit" in my honest opinions, but it is very effective for potty training.

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