I agree. Got that advice from a friend long time breeder trainer. Best tool.

We are fencing our yard, and regret not doing it sooner .

Interesting I was having the same results I came to find out his crate was to big and he didn’t feel safe in it once I put a divider in and slowly made it bigger with his size he loved it. My lab has a option between my bed and his crate and he is 50/50 on both

Why? If hes clean then whats wrong with them sitting on the couch or bed?

Did you watch the video

Hey! I'm so excited for you! I have a lab who's turning 2 next month! Winter a year ago, I had a little bugger prancing around in the snow, and this Summer I have a grown dog turning 2! Time flies and it couldn't have been the best 2 years yet! You made the right choice going with a Labrador this time!

I have had a cattle dog and Aussie both were great dogs. We got our lab Ripley 2 years ago and see is truly a special dog.❤ Enjoy your lab.

@@jeristowell2635 he’s been incredible! He’s brought so much joy to my house I couldn’t be happier!

Yes, I've been confused about that too. After watching many videos I think it's 2 separate commands. One is go to bed at home and the place can be any surface anywhere as long as you say place and point out where you want them. I think. Still new to all this.

I use kennel for my lab to go to kennel. Place for when I need him on his bed. In the beginning, my lab knew the difference and would follow each command. However, sometimes when I place- he chooses to go to the kennel. Sometimes when I kennel- he thinks he can choose place. LOL. But kennel always means kennel. Place has kind of become an "it's your choice where you want to make yourself comfortable."

Never used a crate and never had any trouble with him.

If indoors, I'd go with a wire crate with a bottom tray that can be removed for cleaning. When my lab was about 3 or 4 months... we got him a wire crate but trained him to go into travel crates too. The wire crate makes a good forever space for him. When you're in an emergency and he needs to be put away, when he's sick and needs to be contained, when you've got visitors, etc... it's always good to have a space for your dog even if he is allowed free roaming. 😊 Also, sometimes my lab just goes into his kennel by himself and goes to sleep. Or he goes in there and just watches us from the inside😂. It's nice for them to know they have a space that's theirs and theirs only. I'd go with the XL or XXL... I believe that is the 48. You can use the divider and eventually give him more space by removing it as he grows. (The wire crate with the bottom piece also makes potty accidents a lot easier to clean!)

Crate trained my eighteen old red fox lab from 8 weeks and although a little giddy he doesn’t jump round people and loves it as a way of relaxing when he gets a little too giddy. People have said what a loveley boy he is becoming. Keep up with the crate but use wisely

Look for his other videos

Teaching a dog to crate up is a skill that a dog should learn. It's like carrying snow chains in the winter. You're confident your car can make it... but in a rut, you'll need it. Many (unforeseen) situations (outside your home) may require your dog to be crated. It is in your dog's best interest to understand what a crate is and that it is a safe space for them. For example, what if you were out on a walk, you passed out and were separated from your dogs for a little while. They would be stressed from the situation and ontop of that the anxiety and fear of being in a crate for the first time in their lives while they wait for you. You can think you have all of your ducks in a row... but there's always something. My dogs crate up and they understand the crate is their safe space. We have it open and they freely go in when they want. They choose to sleep in there on their own as well. When I have my sister watch my dogs at her place... they look for and go into their crates when they are overwhelmed or tired. It's not a bad thing to train a dog to go into/stay in a crate.