Why is everyone so set on crating thier dogs?

Question

I understand using it to prevent a dog from destroying things while you are gone, and I understand how it is used to housebreak the dog..but truly I see no point in doing it now dont get me wrong I am not insulting anyone who uses a crate, I just can't imagine how it would really be any different if you didnt use one at all... My dog chewed a few things as a pup but I taught him not to and provided him with his own toys which he has used instead of my things since he learned the difference which was about right after I got him.. he never chewed my shoes...and I left him often when he was young so that he would never get separation anxiety, he was housetrained in 2 days and did very well asking to go in or out sure he had accidents when I was gone but I used pee pads and he only went on them. So why bother to use a crate when you really don't need one and can teach your dog how to be behaved without ever using one? I want to hear why you think it is better to use a crate or not.

Yes, I believe some dogs enjoy it and I think there is nothing wrong with properly crate training a dog, I was just wondering about why you use it..good answers so far!!

My dog hates closed spaces..lol he wont even go in the old dog house (not that he needs to he is an indoor dog) but he is terrified of a trapped feeling, I dont think I could get him into a crate if I wanted too..lol he is good without it so it isnt an issue.

Answer 1

Aside from the uses it has while raising a dog, there are good reasons for the dog to continue to use it, at least occasionally, so that he continues to be comfortable with it.

Reasons you might use a crate for a dog who otherwise doesn't need it:

1) Travelling in the car/van/truck. A crate is the safest way for your dog to travel. If you have to stop for a short time, you can leave him in the crate with the windows/hatch open without worrying about him getting out. You can drive without worrying about interference. And in case of accidents, there have been many cases where the vehicle was totaled, but the dog in the crate was okay.

2) Visiting or staying at motels. Not all people appreciate having a strange dog running around their house, or maybe their house is not safe for your dog (people always keeping doors open), or maybe your dog is accustomed to sitting on the furniture and your hosts don't appreciate it. Or maybe you and your hosts are going out to dinner and you don't want to leave him loose in someone else's home. The same applies to hotels. The crate becomes his "home away from home", his own bed where he has something familiar and can feel secure.

3) Your dog is injured or sick and needs to be confined, or has to stay at the vet's. Sometimes a dog MUST be kept quiet to recuperate, if he is accustomed to using his crate then this is much less stressful for him. He'll also have a much easier time in the vet's (or groomer's) cages if he's accustomed to confinement.

4) You have guests who are afraid of your dog, or don't like dogs, or they brought an annoying little brat that is tormenting your dog (or your dog is excitable and is accidentally knocking the little brat down). The crate is a safe, comfortable place to keep him and your, uh, guests apart until you can get rid of them.

I keep crates open around the house, there's usually a dog sleeping in them, they like the privacy from the other dogs. That is also where I feed them, so they can eat without being disturbed.

Answer 2

First of all I think a crate is easier for most people....When they go off to work they know that the dog isnt chewing anything and they can be sure that its safe....some people have really notty dogs or just cant be around to watch their dog....When I bought my German Shepard puppy the crate seemed to be good for him because he realized that that was his home....Crates are also good if you dont want to get a bed. My dog grew really fast and we bought a big enough crate so it could have room when it was a puppy and still have enough space when it was full grown... I still understand what you are saying, I mean I could have trained my dog without a crate but it does have its advantages....

Reasons to use a crate:

Crate Training is the fastest and most humane method of housebreaking dogs. Many dog owners also think of it as an effective way to keep their pet safe from potential dangers around the house. A crate is a metal pen-type construction and it can be used when you need to confine your dog for any number of reasons including housebreaking, safety, protection of household goods or when you need to travel.

A crate serves as a den for your dog. Since dogs naturally want to seek shelter, if you don't provide one, they will create one themselves. So, the crate helps to satisfy the "den instinct" inherited from their ancestors. Once your dog gets accustomed to her crate she will feel secure, not frustrated or stressed. You should encourage your dog to use her crate as a safe area – somewhere that she can go to get some rest or some peace and quiet. You should therefore make the crate as comfortable as possible for your dog, putting in some toys and perhaps a comfort blanket or a washable crate pad.


when you leave your dog alone, knowing that none of your personal or household items can be soiled or destroyed and that she is comfortable, safe and not developing bad habits.

achieve a better relationship with your dog by preventing unwanted behavior when you aren't there to supervise her.

housebreak your dog much easier and much faster! A puppy is unlikely to soil her own rest and play area, so the crate is a good way to teach your pet to wait until taken outside or to the designated area. Of course choosing the right crate will help you avoid any "accidents" while housebreaking your dog or puppy.

travel with your dog in an easier and much safer way. If your dog is in her crate, she's not running the risk of getting lost, hurt or interfering with safe driving.

have your dog with you on vacations or family outings without worrying about how she will adapt to the new and different environment. Having her den with her, your dog will feel more "at home".

avoid harassment of your dog by young children or other pets in the house. Your dog can enjoy the security and privacy of her own territory, she can retreat to when she's tired or stressed.

Answer 3

My 2 year old dog loves her crate. It's her cave and her comfort zone and she goes into it at night when she's ready to sleep. She'll circle and then bat the door closed all by herself.

I have a lot of time to spend training and using positive reinforcement but I find the crate is more for my dog than for me. It gives her a place where she can get away from visiting children when she's tired of playing. She was also housebroken in 2 days and she's amazingly good at not begging when we're eating so I haven't needed to actively crate her for any reason.

I do think crates are a good tool for people who are learning to train a dog or for certain breeds who need more guidance and support. When I got my first dog, I actively used the crate in toilet training and discipline but she was a very difficult breed to toilet train, unlike my "doodle" who is easy to train in every way.

Answer 4

It's NEVER better to use a crate. How would PEOPLE like to be locked up in a cage? They don't. Well, pets don't like it either.

The clear answer to this question is that many people are too LAZY to train their dogs correctly, too lazy to take them out so they can relieve themselves OUSIDE, or other problems where the owner is just ' too bothered' to find out WHY the dog is acting up.

The ONLY time crating is acceptable is if the dog is temporarily HYPER, has just been brought home under medication from the vet, has just been newly brought HOME, or is a habitually destructive type of character that has severe behavioural problems.
Even THEN, the dog is USUALLY ACTING OUT because of lack of attention, abuse, incorrect diet, inadequate training, or lack of EXERCISE.

Dogs are individuals, they need to PLAY, they need TOYS, they need chewing bones, they need to EXERCISE, and they need a lot of love and attention. They also need GOOD quality food including vegetables.
If you don't have the ability or just don't care to to provide these things for a dog, you should NOT have one, period.

PLEASE do not get a dog if you cannot take care of it properly. They want NOTHING from you except to be cared for, treated kindly, fed properly, exercised, allowed to go to the bathroom OUTSIDE like normal, and in return they love you UNCONDITIONALLY and protect you.
Why lock them up??

Answer 5

My dog actually loves her crate. She goes in there when the door is open and just lays there -- with the door open. She feels safe there. That's where she always goes when there is a storm or whenever strangers stop by. She stays in her crate while my husband and I are at work and then runs free when we are home. Still, she will CHOOSE to go to her crate and lie down a while. It's really strange.

Answer 6

It feels like the dogs has been left in the crate too long and has gotten used to peeing in the crate with the aid of fact that's no longer being regarded after. in spite of the incontrovertible fact which you will in all likelihood start up lower back. canines dislike sititng of their very own urine/feces and the bigger crate you have the greater in all likelihood they're to flow in the crate. Get a crate that's good sized adequate for them to stand and turn around, any larger is purely too massive. do no longer shop alot of blankets or towels in the crate, which will motivate the habit and could preserve the scent. you will ought to enable the dogs out now and lower back throughout the night to motivate the habit of peeing exterior. Get on a popular schedule alongside with your puppy (as an occasion awaken at 7am daily and take him out first ingredient) and you ought to have your concern solved. Crate training and potty training are not user-friendly in spite of the incontrovertible fact that that's performed with alot of artwork on your area however the rewards are wonderful.

Answer 7

Leaving a puppy alone without confining it is akin to leaving a one or two year old child alone all day. Think of the havoc it can wreak - not to mention the danger it can get into. Children are put into playpens or cribs when they can't be monitored - crates serve the same purpose. They protect your home and your pup/dog (in addition to all the benefits for training, travelling, etc.).

Answer 8

You just happened to have a better behaved dog than we do. Our little pug dog would be fine in no cage, but our big dog, no matter what we've done, when we leave, usually goes bonkers and will get into our things. One time in our old apartment, he pulled up a chunk of carpet..... He seems perfectly fine being in his cage when we're gone and it's never for more than a couple hours at a time. He's never peed because we left, it's just the chewing of things, even when he's got tons of toys of his own...

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Crating is a technique that makes it easier to train dogs. You successfully trained your dog without a crate. Good for you.

Crates are also useful for transporting your dog safely and as a way to restrain them. And most dogs LIKE their crates.