Suggestions please! Sleeping outside of crate - Door open for cat?

[Abby Christos]

Hi Everyone!

Bob is 22 weeks now, and I feel like we may be getting to the point that we could let Bob sleep out of his crate. The only problem is that we won't be able to shut him in the room, because we have a cat that likes to sleep in our room and meows incessantly at closed doors.

Do any of you have a situation where you can't close the bedroom door? How do you keep your pup from roaming the house? I've heard people say to tether them to a piece of furniture. Have you tried that? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We installed a cat door to the litter box in the basement.  The tootsie rolls in the litterbox were too tempting when he was a pup.  This has been perfect

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes.

We have a baby gate door which was installed 7-8 inches higher.  Not flush to the floor.   The gate allows the cats to go easily underneath but the dog knows to remain.

Spud can clear this gate ( he is a high jumper)  but he  knows not to jump over.  During the night when things are quiet and the dog is not in an excited state your dog probably wont either.

Only when someone has come to the door or he is in a crazy mood has my dog jumped a gate. 

Here is the one we installed three years ago and we certainly never regretted the gate.  We still use it in between the kitchen and the family room when  he comes in really muddy or when the cats are trying to eat dinner.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I also think, having the gate is an unspoken boundary. Like I mentioned he rarely jumps that gate.  Once every six months, maybe.

It is a learning tool too. 

[Sharon & Monty]

Before I ever heard of crate training, we always tied the dog to the bed!  Worked for me.