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Module 7: Phasing Out the Crate (or Not)
Some dogs graduate to free-roaming around 1–2 years. Others should crate for life. How to decide.
4 min read Intermediate
Course progress0%
The freedom test
Try 15 min unsupervised in one room. Then 30. Then 1 hour. Any chewing, soiling, or escape = back to crate, retest in 2 months.
Which dogs stay crated
Heavy chewers, separation-anxiety dogs, multi-dog conflicts, working breeds that get destructive when bored — lifetime crate users.
Open-door optional
Even free-roam adults benefit from a door-off crate as a chosen retreat spot.
Key takeaways
- ★Test freedom in small steps
- ★Some breeds stay crated for life
- ★Keep door-off crate available
Lesson checklist
Action items to put this module into practice.
- Schedule your first freedom test
- Identify chew-proof room
- Plan the retest if it fails