If you’ve got a dog, it’s recommended that you invest in a crate. This is because crate training is incredibly important. Crates are a safe environment in which dogs can feel safe and comfortable.
Not to mention, these crates often allow you to transport your furry friend.
Puppy crate training is often implemented from a young age. But at what age should your dog stop sleeping in a crate? Let’s explore this question together!
Why Is Crate Training Important?
Crate training occurs when you introduce your furry friend to an indoor crate. This crate is designed to be a comfortable and secure space for your dog to sleep and relax. Plus, these crates are great places for your dog to sleep during the night.
So to encourage your dog to use its crate to sleep in, you should ensure that this space looks comfortable.
When Should Your Dog Stop Sleeping In A Crate?
It doesn’t matter if your dog continues to use its crate for the rest of its life. After all, these crates are convenient places for your dog to sleep. So even when your dog is older, you can encourage it to sleep in its crate!
The truth is that there is no set age at which your dog should stop using its crate. This is because there are different factors that will affect whether or not your dog is ready to stop using a crate.
On average, your dog should stop using its crate when it reaches roughly two years of age. Here are some of the main factors that you will need to take into consideration:
The Age
Before your dog is free to roam the house at night, it needs to be mature. As mentioned, 2 years of age is quite a good benchmark.
But the truth is that some dogs are more mature than others. So you should take the individual maturity of your perfect pooch into consideration before you let it sleep outside of its crate.
In general, it’s not recommended that you allow your dog to roam free before it reaches one year old. Before this time, your puppy will likely be too energetic to be left outside of the crate at night (see also ‘Is It OK Not To Put A Puppy In A Crate At Night?‘). You could wake up to find your home in chaos.
Toilet Training
Toilet training is an important part of raising a puppy. If your dog is poorly trained, it will end up using your entire home as a toilet.
It’s best to wait until your dog has been toilet trained for it to begin sleeping outside of its crate. You should also ensure that your dog is generally well-trained. Badly behaved dogs allowed to run free at night will likely lead to havoc.
Dog Breed
Every dog breed is different. Some breeds take longer to mature than other breeds. Generally, bigger dogs take longer to mature than smaller breeds.
Some breeds will be mature by the time they turn one year old. But on the other hand, other breeds will need to wait until they turn two years old.
Thus, it’s advised that you wait until your dog has matured to let it sleep away from its crate.
Your Home
When people have babies, they baby-proof their homes. You should do the same for your dog, ensuring that your furry friend will be safe in your home.
For instance, you should secure any cleaning chemicals you have so that your dog cannot reach them. You should also ensure that any medication or food that may be poisonous to your god is kept away from it.
Another method of dog-proofing is to create a comfortable environment in which they can sleep. For instance, you can buy a dog bed and fill it with your furry friend’s favorite blankets and pillows.
Only once your home has been set up as a comfortable and safe environment can your dog be allowed to sleep outside of its crate.
Dog’s Behavior
At the end of the day, pet owners are the ones who must decide whether or not their pets are ready to sleep outside of their crates.
Owners must decide whether or not their dog is ready based on their behavior. If you have an energetic dog that struggles to calm down, it may be best to keep them sleeping in a crate for a bit longer.
But if you have a calm and well-behaved dog, you can consider letting them out of its sleeping cage.
It’s worth bearing in mind that even if your dog is obedient, it could come across some trouble during the night. After all, accidents happen.
The best way that you can limit the risk of these accidents occurring is to wait until you believe that your dog is ready to be outside of the crate.
On the other hand, if your dog seems to enjoy sleeping in its crate, it’s best to keep it sleeping there. Otherwise, your dog could become quite difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Too Late To Train Your Dog To Sleep In A Cage?
No, it’s never too late. While dogs are usually trained to sleep in a cage from a young age, there’s no harm in conducting this training when your dog is older.
To train an older dog to use a crate, it’s best to gradually familiarise your dog with this comfortable space.
Where Should Your Dog Sleep At Night?
Crates are commonly used as beds for dogs. They will keep your dog safe during the night. By making this a comfortable space, your dog will likely enjoy sleeping in this crate.
Alternatively, you can allow your dog to sleep in your bed or its own dog bed. Just make sure that you find somewhere snug and cozy for your furry companion.
Final Thoughts
Crate training is a valuable technique used by dog owners. When your dog reaches 2 years of age, you might be wondering whether or not your dog can stop using its crate (see also ‘My Dog Keeps Breaking Out Of His Crate‘).
By considering the aforementioned factors, you can determine whether your dog can stop sleeping in its crate!
