Is using a crate for punishment a good thing?

Question

I have seen ppl post that they use the dog's crate as a way of punishment.
Im afraid that will make my dog feel as though he did something wrong everytime I put him in there (night, nap, while we are gone).

Isnt that sending the wrong message?

The only time I put him in there for something he doesnt do, is go to the bathroom outside, so that way I know he wont go in the house. And I dont punish him while I put him in there for that reason either.

Answer 1

Right, you're on the right track. It seems sometimes that using 'time outs' with a puppy are unavoidable - but there are ways of doing this that are not over-the-top. Ideally, you've established the crate as a good place for your dog to be, by putting a blanket in there, rewarding him for going in there, and even playing games that teach him that staying in the crate until released is a very good thing:
http://www.finchester.org/dogs/dog_diary/2005/08/crate-training.html

So with this kind of great history of being rewarded for being in the crate, when it's time to put him in there for a time out, it's not going to be viewed as excessive, cruel punishment. If it's time for him to go in there for whatever reason, you'd want to reinforce him for going in there. If it's for a time-out, you'd put him in there without a reinforcer. So keep rewarding him for going in there for all of the reasons you've described, and if you have to put him in for a time-out, just don't reward him. A dog can get the "oops, I better not do that again..." message without you having to feel that you're being harsh. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

You are doing the right thing right now. If you use the crate for punishment is sends the wrong signals, like you mentioned (nap, etc.) Using the crate for toilet training is a good idea, if he spoils in the house, placing him in the crate without saying a word is a great idea. Then clean the mess so he can't see you "playing" with his spoils and then removing him from the crate afterwards and going directly outside using the "outside" command...wait 5 minutes, if he goes give him a treat and say "good outside" then come right back in...even if he doesn't go, come in after 5 minutes. Punishment is never a good way to train a dog as they don't understand and this could cause problems later. Discipline is better...a firm no to what he is doing wrong and then exercise and play after he calms down. He will get the message when he learns the human language in a positive setting!

Answer 3

You should never use the crate as a punishment. You want your dog to feel comfortable and safe in his crate everytime you put him in there. If you begin to make him anxious or upset about putting him in a crate, then you run the risk of him using the bathroom in the crate and ruining any house-breaking progress you've made. Anytime that I need to put my dogs in their crates, it's only after I have cuddled with them for a minute or two and I sweet-talk them while I put them in it. When I remove them, I cuddle again. It's important for the crate to be a positive environment for them.

If house-breaking is the problem, you should try puppy pads. I have a 4 year old chihuahua and a 4 month old. The 4 year old is house-broken, but the puppy is not. She doesn't quite seem to understand where to use the potty. I bought a dog litter pan and some puppy pads and placed them a few feet away from her food bowl. She generally eats for a few minutes and then uses the bathroom, and will now use the puppy pads. As soon as she uses them every single time she needs to eliminate, I'll start moving them gradually toward the door and out to the yard. It worked with my cat and my older dog.

If your dog associates the crate with punishment, you could also encourage nervous behavior and fear responses when you crate him. You don't want your dog shedding like crazy or barking when you put him in the crate do you? Crates are awesome things (especially if you travel or work outside the home) and can work very well if your dog is comfortable and feeling secure in them. Put a fleece blanket and a few toys in the crate with him and make the crate a positive place.

Answer 4

Putting your dog in a crate for punishment shows ignorance about training a dog and pack behavior.

A crate if used at all, should be a place where the dog can go when they need a break. It should feel that it's crate is a safe place where no one will bother it.

Dogs are pack animals and pack animals always have a leader. When you have a dog, you become the leader. If you don't understand what a lead dog does then you need to educate yourself about it. Once someone understands what a lead dog, or the alpha dog does, training their dog becomes simple and there is no need for inappropriate punishments.

It makes me sad when people mistreat and abuse animals. It makes me shudder to think some of these same people are allowed to have children. Now THAT'S scary!!!

Answer 5

I don't consider the crate as punishment but away to stop the dog from doing unwanted behavior. I use it when my dogs do something they know they should not do. And yes they know they did wrong. Dogs are smart. They also sleep in there crates because it's the only way they will calm down at night. They go in there on there own when they are told it's bed time. And my older ones goes in there when he knows he's done wrong. It's all part of training. Give dogs credit they are smart

Answer 6

If you do indeed put your dog in a crate to sleep or stay while you are away, then putting him in the crate for any other reason is indeed sending a wrong message.
We crate trained two of our dogs, it is a great method that is not cruel in my opinion. When we let them out, we put them right outside to potty. If there was a accident in the house, we scoulded them and then put them right outside, not back in the crate. Sometimes when they are little potty training can be a real chore, but it in the end it is worth it.
A dog will for all intent and purpose not potty where they sleep, this is a fact.
Keep putting him outside as often as possible and praise like crazy when he does his business. When you are home leave him out of the crate and put him out once every hour.. he'll get it. He will also learn that the crate is his safe place, not something to be sad about.
Good Luck

Answer 7

If you want to use a crate as punishment, that's fine. But then that is the only thing it can be used for. You can't put him in there for nap, sleep or while you are out b/c yes he will think he did something wrong even if he didn't.

Answer 8

The crate, when used properly, is supposed to be a place for a dog to have some peace and quiet if they want it. It's also a useful tool when potty training a puppy and to get thru the "chewing" phase. When used as punishment, a dog can come to dislike the crate, which is the opposite of how it should be.

Answer 9

I have a very active 18 month old lab/shep mix. She is crate trained and still uses her crate at night and when we go out. She also will go in there when she is acting crazy and misbehaving and it calms her down. She has no issues with the wrong message although I do see your point. I would not use the crate this way for a puppy.

Answer 10

The crate should never be used as a form of punishment as like you said the dog associates it with negativity and then your dog will never want to go in there.I always find a good way to punish a dog is to put it in a seperate room for 5-10mins as dogs are pack animals and hate beeing seperated from the rest of there pack.