Expert: Breeder - 7/12/2005

Question
We recently bought a 1yr 9 mo. male bichon from a breeder.  The owners kept him in a crate during the night and when they work during the day.  He goes outside and inside on papers. We have only had him for three days and there has been no accidents and he has not used the paper yet.  At night in the crate he wimpers and balks all night long. The question I have is: When should we stop using the crate and allow him to roam.  Should we do this gradually (an hr a day) or so.  Isn't he told old for the crate? We would like to let him roam the house but are not sure of the results. Thanks

Answer
Bichon do not do well home alone all day.  It is cruel to crate them all day and then all night again. If your home during the day then it's find to crate at night.   

But leaving the dog in a crate all day is wrong.
You did not tell me if your home during the day. That would help awnser the question.

Bill