We have a five month old male and he is outgrowing the large crate so we are moving towards the great dane size crate. Because we have not had a puppy in 14 years, I do not remember when we started the transition from crate to bed. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
At what age do you transition a puppy from sleeping in a crate to sleeping on a dog bed?
8 Responses to “At what age do you transition a puppy from sleeping in a crate to sleeping on a dog bed?”
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Getting The Best Dog Bed
If you own a dog, especially an older one, getting a good dog bed is a really great gift to give your beloved pet. The need a good place to rest and sleep just like us. After all, you wouldn't want to bed down in an uncomfortable mattress or sleep on a hard surface all night.
Sleeping on the floor or even on a bad or uneven bed isn't the best thing for a dog to do. As they get older it becomes even more important that they have a really good dog bed to sleep in.
The other reason to get a dog bed is, of course, to keep them off of yours or off of the best couch in the house. If you don't want them all over your furniture, get them a comfortable bed of their own that they will love and use for a long time.
From the simplest dog beds to the more elaborate types, there are many to choose from. Some are more or less like large bean bags, some are donuts or round pet beds. There are also bolster dog beds, which have sort of a pillow going all around the outer edge of the bed. Dogs like to use this as a pillow for their head while they sleep. Then there is the orthopedic dog bed and memory foam beds, which are among the best you can get.
There are also outdoor dog beds which are made for outdoor areas like the back porch and there are also heated dog beds. These are great for dogs, especially during the cold winter months. Even when you have the heat in the house cranked up, the floor can sometimes stay cold and it's not good for your dogs bones and joints. A heated dog bed will keep your canine pal comfy and warm the whole time like a warm blanket.
Another option you may want to look into is getting a waterproof dog bed. We have all taken our dog out for a walk when it is raining and wet outside. Whether we want to or not, we have to go out on those miserable days when the rain is pouring and we both get soaked. After a good towel dry, dogs still have some moisture left on their coat and skin. The nice part about a waterproof dog bed is that your dog can lay on this type of pet bed without getting it soaked on the inside where the water stays put. These beds are made for this so they do not get ruined every time your water soaked pooch rests on them. For those dogs that prefer to stay out on the porch or outside near their kennel or dog house, they are much happier on a waterproof bed than a conventional one that soaks up the water. It's not only a comfortable resting spot for sleeping and lying down, but it will last longer too.
Not all dog beds are the same just as not all dogs age the same. When your dog gets older, he or she will most likely develop the same types of aches and pains due to joint problems that humans do. When your dog starts to slow down due to joint pain, inflammation and arthritis, the best thing you can do is to look into getting them a memory foam dog bed.
As soon as your are aware that you dog is suffering from orthopedic issues, the floor is simply not a good place for them to sleep. Even a conventional dog bed just will not do. The even balance of a dog's weight is more important at this stage of their life than at any time before. A bumpy or uneven bed is not good for the existing joint pain and can actually worsen the dog's problems over time.
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May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
both of our puppies started sleeping in a dog bed in our room at about 4 months old. they both did just fine and have never had an accident at night. they get taken out to potty last thing before bed, then they wait till morning. each dog is different though. he sounds like a large breed of dog, so i bet he can hold it all night. i’d start now. just leave his collar on so you can hear him "jingle" if he gets up, so you can put him back in his bed. you will probably have to do this a couple times the first night, but he’ll learn quickly and he’ll like being next to you.
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
All dogs are different. They have different temperaments and learn at different rates. The best thing that you can do is to try it out to see if your puppy is ready.
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
Mine, the ones who started out sleeping in crates, stayed sleeping in their crates, to the end of their days. But personally I’d just collapse the crate and replace it with his bed, if you think he’s going to be clean overnight/safe when left during the day now?
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
Our dogs still sleep in locked crates. The crate is a secure "den-like" environment for a dog that the dog loves, so why take it away? We have a dog bed IN the large crate, on one half. You could also just put a towel in there. Chances are, your dog will prefer the crate. We have a separate dog bed we call a "pillow", in the family room, that our dogs slepp on until bed time, at which point, they go to "the crate". If your dog is doing well in teh crate, leave it alone! If it aint broke dont fix it
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
My dogs all have crates and although I never shut them in anymore, they prefer sleeping there, rather than a dog bed. I have 4 dog beds, 3 small and 1 large and only one has ever gotten used. It’s the big one and in use by a rescued sheltie . I see no need to transition from crates to dog beds as crates seem preferred by all my dogs.
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
Would you trust your dog home alone for 12 hours? Would he chew? bark? bite?
If the answer is yes, you can start transitioning. I forget when I transitioned my pup, I believe at 6-8 months, though. Remember this is a question of loyalty and trust.
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
You can do it now. Just get rid of the crate and put a pillow or whatever in it’s place.
May 20th, 2010 - 9:22 am
We just started to let our Bullmastiff puppy sleep in our room in his dog bed. He just turned 4 months, but I still wouldn’t leave my house with him out of his crate. It really does depend on the dog, you’ll know.