That is absolutely fine, if it works for you.
BTW, how many of you out there that use crates, find that if you leave the door open, your dogs go in to it to nap?
Earnhardt also was fed in his crate with the door open,when he was a pup.
We crate here,always have,and always will. Earnhardt was crated till just when he came home from being neutered,and he was almost a year old. He loved his crate..and was kinda lost without it when we decided we knew he could be trusted at night to nest in for the night.
Not that he would potty,heaven forbid,cause he was housetrained very early in life,but he was a chewer of anything in his path~
Trapp was also fed in his crate,right up until we had gulping issues,and his meals were not settling well,so we resorted to other slow feed methods.
Trapps crate is in the center of the house,in the kitchen,where I spend a great deal of time,he loves his crate and often goes in to take naps on his own.
Since he has gotton to be a real cuddle bug at night,and sleeps thru the night,he loves to sleep on the bed,and we have no issues,but there are times,that he also sleeps the night in his crate,especially so,if he falls asleep in there,and its late,I leave him in there.
Is it a place I use for "storage" of my dog because I can't be bothered,or I feel the need to be alone,of course not.I want my dogs around me all the time.
The only time,that I have found out that we truely felt the crate was nessassary,was when my son visits with his two "lovely" chihuahuas and I say that cause I really do love the little buggers. Really I do!!
But Trapp & Lexie,are constantly running,playing,barking,it just wears us out...so yes it is used to keep them at bay,so we can at least have a civil conversation here,and Trapp is quite happy that he has his own space,to be away from the little yappy "lovely" chihuahua.
We have worked now for weeks,with both dogs eating side by side,we have had tremendous luck,with no wandering,(on Trapp's part) they eat quietly,when one finishes before the other,they are absolutely made to sit quietly,or go in the other room.
They are not released to eat until I say so.There is no barking (again this is Trapp) food does not get put in his dish,unless he is quiet. There is no jumping,or I quit measuring food,until the noise & nonesense stops.
Earnhardt is not food agressive,never has been,I posted a video on Youtube back just last week on the improvement of Trapps manners,both boys are eating side by side.
We certainly would not want you to be upset with us here on the forum.Many of us have had dogs in our lives for many years,and I'm sure you are not new to dog ownership.
Ultimately it is your decision as to what you feel works best for you,in your givin enviorment.
Us personally,we have had as many as 7-9 dogs her in foster,and about 95% of them were big dogs upwards of 70 plus pounds. Dogs need to own place,they are den animals,and are quite content knowing they have thir own psace to call thier own.
