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Questions regarding Crating your dog?

I am going to be getting a Welsh Terrier in July and everyone I have spoken with and everything I have read has recommended crating. I have never crated before and neither has my boyfriend so i am very foreign to the idea. I was hoping someone would be able to answer some questions I was not able to find online. 1 - Some books/websites I have looked at said to have the dog eat in the crate while other said to just use treats and toys to get the puppy used to the crate. Which one would be more effective? 2- If we do have the puppy eating in the crate would this be a re-occurring thing or could we eventually move the meals out of the crate 3- We are pretty much using the crate as a form of potty-training and to ensure the safety of the dog when we are not around, however we would like to eventually have the dog roam free. Is crating going to be a life long thing for the dog? and if not how long would it take approx. for the dog to no longer need to be crated?

Public Comments

1. Personally I have never crate trained a dog in my life and I never will. It seems a waste of time and it also seems like the poor dog is locked up. As for potty training her with the crate that is not good because it is best to just start from scratch on house breaking her. But it is up to you I know a lot of people do
2. A crate should only be used as a training tool: where the dog is trained to eat, sleep etc. Never use it for anything else if you wish a happy animal. Dogs are social animals and like to be around their owners. Make the crate only a place for your dog to repose when it wishes.
3. Question 1: this really depends on your dog. I crate trained my dog and shes not mad to eat her food, so i used to give her treats, but if your dog is very fond of its food, that would work just as well Question 2: you could move the meals out of the crate once she gets used to the crate and feels comfortable in it, but there is no particular need to stop feeding the dog in its crate as routine is very good for dogs Question 3: many dogs come to love their crates and use them as a bed. I know my dog does and so do my neighbours dogs. It really depends on how long it takes to potty train your dog, but at an apx guess 6months? hope this helps x