I have an 8 month old Sheltie mix, housetrained, who is well behaved and obedient/under control. He is trained to sleep on his dog bed. He doesn’t get in trouble when we leave him alone, so I’m not sure what the benefits are of getting a kennel. So should I still get an indoor kennel/crate?
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If your dog is fine without one then no you dont need one. For some dogs its good because they look at it as their home. It makes potty training a lot easier. But if your dog is good without one then you do not need one. It honestly varies from dog to dog which one needs a kennel and which one does not. I have two dogs, one has a cage and the other doesn’t. Just because our boy can not be out a lone or he chews and goes to the bathroom. The girl can be out all day no problem
If he doesn’t chew everything in sight once you leave, or pee on everything, then there is no reason for a kennel. He will probably be a happier dog if you just let him lie around when you are not home.
if the dogs already well behaved dont git one, the only thing it would do for your dog now is give it a safe comfy space to call its own but its got the dog bed for that. shoulda thought bout a creat at like 8 weeks old. best of luck
In your case, I would think the benefit would lie in a kennel, not a crate. The kennel could be useful when going out of town. More room for dog to roam and can use bathroom without making sleeping quarters ratty. We just got a puppy and the crate is really great for keeping the dog in when we go to work. Keeps dog out of trouble and as long as you take dog out to use restroom before you leave, it works well.
I have a Sheltie who’s 7 months old!! funny!! we bought a crate when we got him and he loves it!! Whenever he’s tired during the day, he’ll just go in there to sleep. If your dog’s already used to being in a bed, I don’t even see a need for you to get one. They’re nice for if you’re going somewhere though, we stick him in his crate if we’re going out.
For dogs that are housebroken and non-destructive, there is no need for a crate. However, I ALWAYS crate a puppy when we get one. When it is housebroken and has passed the test when left out when we leave, it “graduates”…that’s what we call it. Heck, my GSD was 2 years old when I got him and HE stayed in his crate until I knew he could be left out with our other dog without making trouble.
The only reason to have a crate at this time is for emergencies (earthquake, flood, etc…) or for traveling! Crate training is helpful for potty training or for dogs that cannot be left in the house or outside without supervision when you are not there.
Crate training is not used for punishment!
I wouldn’t.
I have my dog’s in crates during the day but only because they get separation anxiety and tear up the house. They feel safer in their kennels, so that is where they stay. If your dog does not need one, don’t get one. You dog seems to be doing just fine without one.
It would be good to teach him that a kennel is a good safe place in case you ever need to leave him with a vet. This would already be a scary situation for your dog and to be locked up for the first time by himself. Even though your dog is well behaved I would still teach him that a kennel is a happy place to be for those times that you may need to keep him in one. My dog loves her kennel, I always give her a little bit of kibble when she goes in her kennel. I also sometimes hide treats in her kennel. She never knows if there are treats in there or not. Make sure you never use the kennel as a punishment. Never ever reprimand your dog when he is in his kennel.
No need to alter your dogs established daily routine with a kennel/crate. Especially if his behavior seems to be ideal for an indooors dog. If it isn’t broken- dont fix it.