Raising a puppy without a crate: my experience with Sep
A crate is a commonly used and perfectly effective way to raise a puppy. Nevertheless, with Sep, I consciously chose to try it without one. Not because I am against crates, but because I was curious if it could be done differently. My approach was simple: if it didn't work out, I could always introduce a crate at a later time. That turned out not to be necessary, and I am very happy that I chose to do it without a crate.
What is the difference without a crate?
The biggest difference is that you cannot "force" your dog to be calm in a fixed, enclosed space. For me, that was exactly the point: I wanted Sep to learn to find peace on his own in more situations, including at the homes of family and friends, where there just happens to be no crate.
That does take more time and perseverance in the beginning. You sometimes really have to ignore him at moments when he should be resting, and that is not always easy with those puppy eyes. But Sep eventually always settled down on his own. And the big advantage: by now, he also finds his rest when we are with others, without needing a crate for it.
The key: a space that is truly his own
What I think is most important, crate or no crate, is that your dog has a place that is truly just for them. With a crate, that is a given. Without a crate, I had to create that myself, and I did so by making his bed his "safe space."
No one touches him there, not even me. In the beginning, there was even a note above his bed: "This is Sep's safe space, DO NOT touch." That served as much as a reminder for myself as an instruction for visitors. Because of this, Sep learned that he could always rest undisturbed there whenever he wanted to. I still don't touch him when he is in his bed, only when he is outside of it. And I notice that he actively seeks out my attention as soon as he feels the need, simply by getting out of his bed himself.
And what about house-training?
A common argument for using a crate is that a dog is less likely to pee or poop in it. During the puppy phase, house-training Sep simply took time, which is no different with a crate. What was noticeable, however: Sep learned quite quickly to whine at the door at night when he needed to go out. At first, we set our own alarms for that, later we simply woke up to his whining. A crate proved unnecessary for that.
And what if I don't want a dog around me for a while?
To be honest: sometimes it is nice if Sep doesn't bother me for a moment, for example while mopping. Because Sep is a Golden Retriever, and Golden Retrievers like to "help" at such moments. That "helping" while mopping is more like getting in the way. At such times, if he is not sleeping but is looking for attention, I simply create a kind of temporary crate. I put him in the hallway or another room with the door closed for a little while. He can still walk around, move, or sleep there, and I can clean in peace.
Another small personal advantage
From a purely practical standpoint, a dog bed also looks a bit nicer in the house than a crate. That is, of course, a matter of personal taste, but for me, it was a nice bonus.
In conclusion
Raising a dog without a crate has been a very pleasant way for me, and I would do it exactly the same way in the future. This is my own experience with Sep. Every dog, and every household, is different. Keep that in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Is raising a puppy without a crate better than with one?
Not necessarily better, just different. A crate works fine for many dogs and owners. Without a crate, the process sometimes takes a little longer, but it can certainly turn out just as well.
How do you teach a puppy to be house-trained without a crate?
For Sep, a set night routine worked well: first setting alarms to take him out, until he learned to whine at the door himself when he needed to go outside.
What do you do if you don't want the dog around you for a moment?
A temporarily enclosed space, such as the hallway or a room with the door closed, works fine as a short-term alternative. Your dog can still move and sleep, and you get some peace.
About the author
David is the founder of VerdaDog. He grew up with a dog that struggled with allergies, and that got him thinking about how he could prevent that with his own dog. He has been eating a plant-based diet for over ten years himself, and that interest in nutrition, for both himself and his dog, forms the basis of VerdaDog. This story is based on his personal experience with his dog Sep and is not professional raising or training advice.
