[DuncansDad]

We would love to transition Duncan out of his nighttime crate and onto a dog bed. Around what age does that usually happen (he's 4 1/2 months). Any tips on the transition?

[RubyPitbull]

DuncansDad, don't be surprised that Duncan may find the crate a soothing and safe place to be. Why rush it? Right now, he is still teething. You don't want him to inadvertently get a hold of something at night and choke while you are sleeping. Please don't rush this. Please. He is still very young. He needs the security and safety the crate brings to him now. I really don't recommend that you try this transition for another few months at the very least.

You could buy a doggie bed for the hours that you are awake and around to supervise him. That will get him used to the bed. For now, keep him safe in the crate. When he is past the teething and destructive stage. You can leave the door to the crate open with the doggie bed nearby. This way he will have the choice of where he prefers to sleep. Most dogs, when crate trained, prefer staying in their crate. But the bed is good for the times he wants to hang out with his humans.

[labman]

I see no reason to take his crate away. If you think he can be trusted with bedding, you could add it to his crate. My puppies sleep on the bare floor of their crate until they are a year old and go away to school. At school they sleep in a tile cubical with I think a solid rubber mat on the floor.

Most of my friends continue to keep their older dogs in crates. When Aster came back to live with us at 10 years old, she was used to sleeping on a tie down. We continue that positioning a dog bed where she can select it or the hardwood floor.