How long until Dog can be out of the kenel most of the time when we're home?

[Rick Smith]

We have a 6 1/2 month old Goldendoodle (Jake) and we take him out of the kenel throughout the day to play with him, train him, take him to potty, etc...

If we leave him out he goes all over the place...jumping on stuff, people, etc....being way to rowdy, chewing things, sometimes pottying in the house (although this is getting much better)..

So we have to keep a close eye on him when he is out of the kenel. We'd like to leave him out to hang out in the house during the day like our other (older) dogs....Is there a certain age when he is able to hang out in the house most of the day instead of being in the kenel? 

Any advice / feedback is welcome. Thanks!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Many people feel very differently about that and I think it is totally up to the dog owner. Lots of people love sleeping with their dogs.

[Rick Smith]

@Joanna I'm not sure what you do for a living or how you are connected to other friends but you are really missing out on life is having a dog to you means "constant" supervision. That is borderline obsessive. Balance is the key to many areas of life. No need to let your dog control your life. :-)

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

I said "puppy" thanks

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rick, Why did you ask for help, if you have all the answers? Every time someone answers you, you come back and tell us your way is better. Obviously, that is not true if you dog is 6-1/2 months and does not have access to your home and is still going to the bathroom in the house. A puppy does need lots and lots of attention and it is not obsessive to take them out constantly until they get the hang of where to go potty or to spend lots of time supervising them until they know the rules.  It is also not wrong or weird or have anything to do with being single or married to allow your dog to sleep in bed with you if that is what you prefer.

[Rick Smith]

@Laurie. Lol...wow. You have no idea how we took care of our puppy. You are assuming A LOT here.

Anyways. It's to bad some of you turn a simple question into some big thing about me not being a good dog owner. Relax a little. :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rick, I am not assuming anything. You know what they say about assuming, right? I am not the one who seems to be labeling people (borderline obsessive, weird) and questioning sleeping arrangements. I am done here, because I really need to relax :)

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

Lol you are so funny! no one called you a bad owner so I don't think you have to be so defensive. :-). Everyone just gave you simple suggestions haha!
You should relax a little :-)

[BG and Gavin]

This could very well depend on the dog and depend on the training.  Gavin was very trustworthy in all parts of the house all day, fairly early.  By six months he was out of the crate overnight and baby-gated to specific and ever expanding areas as he proved himself while we were out of the house for varying and ever expanding periods of time.  He had total free run at all times by 8 months or so.  I was OCD about supervising him from day one though.  I too brought him into the bathroom each morning while I showered.  If he was going to be crated during the day while we were at work, I wanted to ensure that he was not crated every minute possible when we were home.  He went for a good walk in the morning and then I insisted he follow me room to room during the morning routine.  My DH tagged me off when necessary.  Once he understood the expectation it was very little effort. A outdoor play outing at noon and a good walk after work and follow the leader started again.  IMO this expectation set the table for easier training going forward, especially off leash obedience.  Maybe Gavin was easier than most, but I was pathologically consistent so will take some credit ;)

[Rick Smith]

@Sandy... Lol....!

Thanks to everyone who gave "real" answers. It's funny (and sad) to see where people go with their imaginations. I'd say it would be a pretty safe bet that some of these folks have more dog friends than human friends. ;-)

[Rick Smith]

@Laurie Lol. *Hugs* (real people ones) :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rick, No thanks. Keep your real people hugs for all of your real live friends. I am sure you are loaded with them. LOL  I prefer my dogs over pompous jerks any day of the week :)

[Carol and Banjo]

Here ya go Rick...