Crate Covering?

[Paul Schumacher]

We have had much success with covering our doodle's crate at night when she sleeps.  I have been around her during the day almost nonstop since we got her.  We have put her in her crate while we eat, but I want to get her used to being in crate during day for the times we leave.  Do you cover your doodle's crate both at night and during the day, or just at night?  I know some people don't do it at all, but since we've had good luck at night covering, I'm wondering if daytime makes sense.  I just don't want to do it if it'd confuse her body clock, as we are in a pretty good routine here on day 10 with her.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I have blankets that sit on top of the crates and they provide top cover during the day but they can see out the sides and front, we feed them in the crates also.  At night, I just flop the blankets down to cover them completely. That what works for me.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Curious what you mean by covering the crate - are you leaving at least the door side open to air?

[Paul Schumacher]

Front, top and sides covered, rear (which is near wall) stays open but you can't see people in room from that angle.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

sounds good.  Now that my doodles are mature, they no longer use a crate.  But when Beau was young, he was too hot in a crate and totally miserable.  When I put his crate in an x-pen and left crate door open, he was a different puppy.  Much happier.  If your dog does well in his crate that is so great as it become their security blanket so to say.   Sounds like you are doing a great job Paul!.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I kept the crate covered on top and three sides at all times. It made a more cave-like cozy experience in my opinion.