Thank you for your reply, Kathy. He is ONLY in his crate when we leave home, no other time and only then because it has been his lifelong habit, not concern that he will get into any mischief. It's a crate large enough for a lab, so he's in no way cramped in it.

He's running, jumping, playing, and doing his 500's as always. We do, however plan to start weaning him from it as soon as the houseguest, who arrives today, leaves on Tuesday.
-----
Anne, Bill, and Murphy