Sleeping in crate v. sleeping in my bed

lcsahni · #1 09-16-2009, 07:43 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm new to boxerworld, this is my first post other than my introduction, but have been reading threads like crazy over the last few days. For the last couple of years I've been contemplating getting a dog, and over the last 6 months, have decided on a boxer, which I'd like to get within the next year or so. I've been doing a lot of research/reading and want to make sure I can provide the right home and training for my boxer.

I plan to crate train my boxer, as he/she will be home alone when I'm at work, but want my boxer to sleep with me at night. I fully realize that if I allow this when my dog is a puppy, it's unfair to stop when the dog gets older (and bigger). My question is, is it possible to crate train during the day and let my dog sleep with me at night, or does this undermine the idea of the crate? Also, can anyone recommend a good training book?

Thanks!

LillyBear · #2 09-16-2009, 11:32 AM

Hi and welcome! Lily is crate trained so that when we're at work she's in her crate. We work normal eight hour days and realize that is a long time to be confined. I normally go home for lunch and let her out in the back yard for a while to give her a break. Fortunately I have a college age daughter at home and she'll sometimes go home for lunch as well, so that helps.

Lilly was seven weeks when we got her and has slept in the bed since night one. She seems fine with the arrangement. She likes her crate and will go there for naps and alone time even when we're home. But when it's bed time, she'll come jump in the bed with us.

One word of caution, that puppy will grow up to be a big baby. They can take up quite a bit of room on the bed! But we love her and she'll normally sleep by our feet and in the morning she'll crawl up to the top of the bed. It's how she lets us know it's time to get up....

baxtercruz · #3 09-16-2009, 02:54 PM

We also crate trained Baxter during the day, and let him out for breaks at lunch time, and he also slept with us from day one. He did not LOVE his crate at first, but he knew that it was his safe place to be while we were gone. I think he didn't like it because he knew we were going to leave if he went in there. But he got used to it, and we used it during the day until he was about 2 or 2 1/2 - he's 3 1/2 now and we gradually started leaving him out in the house while we were out, and he can now be trusted.

We have a dog bed next to our bed that is RARELY used

and another in the kitchen so he can lay down in comfort while I cook, etc. He sleeps on our bed, at my feet (he knows that my boyfriend would kick him off if he laid on his side, smart boy), and sometimes chooses to lay on his own bed next to ours.

Boxers really seem to like routine, and Baxter definitely knows what spaces are his own. With the crate, his beds, his couch

... he knows those are his places to be good and lay down. And when we all go to bed , it's nice having him with us, even though he does stretch out and squish me into the corner! I think you'll have to see what works best for you and your dog, but this arrangement worked well for us.

xtcjade · #4 09-16-2009, 04:32 PM

I crate the dogs during the day while I am at work, but they have free roam of the house when I am home. I couldnt stand the thought of crating them during the day, and at night also. They both sleep with me and my boyfiriend. It is a constant struggle to get a good nights sleep, keep a blanket on us and pray that I wont wake up with a backache. Even though I have all those problems I wouldnt trade it for the world. I love waking up to them, getting morning kisses and all the wiggles before I even crawl out of bed. Call me crazy, but I share a bed with 2 boxers and another human!

jinkiesp · #5 09-16-2009, 06:38 PM

I keep Coco in her crate in the day when I am at work but she has free reign when I am home. She sleeps with me....always has. When my six year old son has a bad dream and needs to sleep with me, well he and Coco fuss and wrestle all night for who is going to sleep beside Mommy. My back is usually killing me in the morning after one of those nights. LOL!

whiskers · #6 09-16-2009, 10:10 PM

As long as you're okay with a dog in the bed, there's no problem with doing things that way. Since you'd still be using the crate, he/she will get used to being in there as well. My pup is currently fast asleep in my bed right now, but she'll get crated when I go to bed and she occasionally gets crated during the day when I leave... and she never makes a fuss.

I can't really think of any training books off the top of my head (I've read just about everything the local library carries, but I can't remember which ones I liked!), I have "Puppies for Dummies" and while it's a good starting point, it's kind of "meh" at best. "How To Raise A Puppy You Can Live With" is pretty good... honestly you'll probably learn more from this forum than you would from any books, plus you have the added bonus of being able to ask for clarification.

iluvfrankie · #7 09-17-2009, 03:08 AM

My baby sleeps in my bed and always has done. Shes 3 now and i love having her in the bed- she does hog it a little as she sleeps diagonally! but a few adjustments in the middle of the night and she is ok! I dont have her in a crate during the day (i just couldnt leave her in one for 6hrs while im at work), she has full run of the hall and 2 bedrooms (all edibles and tearables removed). She is a star.

**Jan** · #8 09-17-2009, 06:39 AM

I would highly recommend "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson, "Before you Get Your Puppy" and "After you get your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar. If you do a search, you can download "Before You Get Your Puppy" for free.

Good luck!

lcsahni · #9 09-17-2009, 10:43 AM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and experience, I'm glad to know that I can crate train and have my boxer sleep with me -- the best of both worlds!

I read "Before you get your puppy" that Jan suggested, and had a question about one of Dr. Dunbar's suggestions: he says that puppies should receive all their food in chew toys, like kongs, and should not be bowl fed for several weeks. Is this true?

Thanks!

larrygs · #10 09-17-2009, 01:47 PM

Interesting idea, was there a reason?

We have never had a problem feeding pups from a bowl, nor have I heard of one for someone else. We did keep a very tight discipline on time, amount, and duration to help with house breaking. We also provide a stuffed Kong occasional. However, I am not sure why it would be used for regular feeding?