Why use a crate?

[kathryn]

I had never crated a dog until Cinder.  But the crate training came in handy when we had to evacuate for Hurricane Rita.  The dogs had their crates to keep them safe while we waited out the evacuation in a shelter.  But I never crated them at night.  They are only crated while we are gone.

Kat 

[greek4]

I crate at night since Maia has been known to have some dominance issues and confidence issues.  But if we stay on routine, stay calm, and she sleeps in her crate, she behaves 100% nicer.

[Fumble]

Kali was a beaver and chewed all of our woodwork

What's with the wood chewing thing?  Both Cowboy and Chester will chew branches, pine cones, bark.  Maybe Newfs are part termite?  Neither one has ever gotten sick from it but I do see the remaining bits when I clean up after them in the "potty" area. 

haha.. i have to agree, fumble LOVES not only the wood furniture, but LOVES to bring sticks in from outdoors to chew on! i don't get it either!

[Newf Lover]

We crated Drake when he was a puppy and he hated it.  Once he was potty trained, we let him sleep wherever he wants.  He's not destructive, unless you consider the scratches he puts on the wood floors, and I feel better knowing that he is loose at night so if trouble comes our way, he's not locked up and useless.  I know not all dogs are the same so I understand why some people do it.  I'm glad that our crate sits out in the garage unused, I hate locking Drake up.

[jabear]

Hmmm....my boy only chews things when he is really angry at me. (luckily it has been less than a dozen times in his life) In which case I say look out remote control, garage dorr opener and other expensive things.

We've never crated Bear and never will for reasons as said by Newf Lover.