Is crate training really necessary?

Question

i rather think it is on the cruel side to lock a dog up in a crate all day while the owners are at work - i went through all kinds of torn up things with our boston during the first year, and he is wonderful now, but i hear lots of boston owners say that a crate is the thing to do -

Answer 1

It's not all day and it works well. Our dog loved the security of the crate... years later still sleeps in it (without the door) because she likes it.

Answer 2

I have a 5 month old American Bulldog who we never put into a crate when we left. We do have one so he has the choice to go to his own little area, but we just spent a lot of time with him while we were home so he could figure out the rules, ie; no chewing, no peeing in the house, here is where you're food and water is, etc. Aside from a few spots on the floor (which actually only happened a couple times in the first 2 weeks of having him) we haven't had any problems leaving him for up to 6 hrs some days. It may depend on the individual dog how easy this is, some dogs are just naturally easier to train or more prone to separation anxiety.But for the original question, is it necessary? From our personal experience, I'd say no : )

Answer 3

Crate training is not necessary, but it is helpful. A couple of the books I read, however, suggested the dog should not be in the crate all day if you are at work. As you said, that can be kind of cruel. Instead, it is there place to go at night and/or when you are home but don't want to interact with the dog. For the long stretches during the day try a larger enclosure so they can move around, play, have a bowl of water, etc.

Answer 4

I wouldn't leave dogs crated long term while I'm at work all day, but every one of my current dogs has spent the first month or several months crated during the day (my puppy was in a combo crate/X-pen for six or seven months). Crates are a terrific tool to acclimating a dog or puppy to a house. They get their "whole house priviledges" slowly over several weeks.

The downside is that crated dogs will probably need more attention and exercise when you do get home. You just need to be understanding with them that they'll be a little nuttier if they're crated for 10 hours.

My dogs love their crates. They only have to go in there to eat right now, or if service people come over, but they choose to go and lay in there on their own quite often.

Answer 5

It depends upon the dog and it depends upon the owner. I have far too many friends who use their crate too much... 10 hours a day at work, when they are eating, at night. Some dogs like them, some don't. I have never crated my pups and potty training took a little longer, but it was worth it for us. I personally think crating is cruel, but others swear by it.

Answer 6

Yes crate training in necessary for the health and happiness of your dog. If you are concerned about the time left at home while you are work, talk to your neighbors and friends-see if they have a trusted kid that will come over and let your dog out and play with them. Our dogs have all been crate trained and at night they beg to go to their crates to sleep. It is all in how you train them and the effort you put in.

Answer 7

crates are awesome!

Dogs like small areas where they are protected, and it is a LOT easier to house train them since they won't mess where they sleep. They key is to be sure the crate is sized for the pet. When my lab was a puppy, I put a divider in there to keep the size appropriate, then moved it back as he grew. Worked great.

Another tip - when I let him out of the crate, I would carry him to the door, and bump his nose on a wind chime I hung next to it at his height, then let him out. After a couple weeks, he knew to ring the chime if he wanted out - MUCH better than listening to him bark.

Answer 8

some people find crate training mean or cruel but wat you have to remember is that dogs are den animals they feel more protected with only have to worry about watching out for the door since there are sides and a roof on crates its not mean you have to think of how dogs were before they became pets

Answer 9

I agree with Sir J I used to think it was cruel but they end up loving it. What ever you do don't use it for discipline you will only make him hate it. Also never leave him in there for to long its not a baby sitter and it's not fair for his bladder. I also noticed hat allot of crate manufactures are suggesting to remove the collar as it could get caught and choke the dog. Not only does it save your house but it also protects your dog from hurting himself (electrical cords etc).

Answer 10

I agree with you. Crate training is not really necessary. I didnt crate train my dog and he turned out just fine. All you have to do is get him a doggy door and show him that he needs to go outside when he needs to go pee.