I have a 7 month old pup and we haven't had to get a crate as there is usually someone home throughout the day and if not we put him on the patio (more recently inside) for up to 2 hours. There is the occasional accident inside while we're gone (>1hr) but he's otherwise good. However I plan on getting my own place for when I switch back to a bigger school (grandparents wont be able to fulfill his needs) and I think it would be safer to have him crate trained for when I'm not around. How would I start this since he's been so used to being not caged up? My other dog is almost 13 years and hasn't been caged since around 1yr. For now it may seem unnecessary because there is someone home almost always but I'm thinking towards the future for his safety and the safety of any furniture or loose items. He's not destructive but you never know..