Is it fair to keep a crate trained dog in a crate and one dog out when you leave?

Question

we already have one dog...she is six years old and she is free to roam the house when we leave...we don't have a reason to keep her in a crate...but, we're getting a puppy on thursday and we're planning on crate training her for when we go to work and at night because she isn't potty trained and we don't want her chewing on everything...is that okay? i want real answers...not people telling me that i mistreat my animals...i just don't think that it's fair to start keeping one in a crate after all this time when we have no reason to...

Answer 1

Congratulations on your new 4 legged addition. Absolutely start off by crating your new pup. The pup, will not know the difference, and it will certainly save a great deal of aggravation to you and to your 6 year old dog. There is nothing wrong with using the crate, it will be like the pup's security. You also have to consider the fact that puppy will need to be potty trained, and a crate, along with some Wee/Wee pads will help a good bit too! I take care of many pets, I also have a 3month old Westie, and he loves his crate. Make sure it is big enough for the pup to have a little bit of room to at least turn around in, and also a towel or blanket with your scent on it, a chew toy, and a few treats when you go to crate puppy. It will give you a great deal of piece of mind, and your pup will be trained hopefully sooner than later. As I said before, the only thing about your other older doggie is that he will probably be very happy the new kid is in a crate, he knows he isn't,t being punished, and he will still be on top of the pack.There is nothing abusive about crating. I wish that I would have started my other dogs off like that. Also many, many of my customers still use the crate for the older and bigger doggies, and not one of my clients (pets) seem to mind. Good Luck, and Happy Crating. Both your doggies will be fine.
Debi

Answer 2

girl - you are singing my song. We have a 4 year old lab that has the run of the house, and just recently got a 4 month old great dane. We crate our dane when we are away and at night and so far there is no problem. They don't seem to know the difference. I would try to make the crate your new dogs "den" with a soft pillow and a stuffed animal. Your current dog will appreciate the break from the baby. I make sure to give my crated dog a kong with peanut butter and treats to keep her occupied and the same thing for the "free" one. Don't feel guilty at all. You are doing the right thing. Think of this, if you left your puppy out while you were gone to poop and pee and destroy all your furniture - and you got really really mad - then you could feel guilty. Good luck

Answer 3

We do it all the time. My male was crate trained for his first year. When he was 3, we got a nice girl (same breed) after a year I would let her out of the crate also when not home. Well after a month I would come home to 1. pile of newspapers, 2 pile of Christmas cataloges.,3 a pair of her daddies shoes. (they should have been picked up anyway) So when I announce that I have to go to work, or out or etc, she runs into the crate and waits for her treat. Is it inhumane? No, it keeps the dog out of trouble until she's ready, perhaps never. Does it bother her? No, it's her spot, she has all her favorite toys in there, and it's a size 400 crate. Do I do it because she has accidents in the house? No because I was dilligent in her house training, there hasn't been an accident in my home since she was 10 months old. And my male:? He 's fully house trained up to 12 hours or better, he also lays in his crate in the bed room when he feels like it, the door is always open......Flyboy Springers

Answer 4

Dogs are descendants of wolves -- den animals. Don't feel guilty if you have to crate him. Your puppy could chew things that are harmful to him. And you will be frustrated if you come home and it looks like a tornado hit. If he is a young puppy, eight hours is too long to hold it. But den animals don't typically urinate or defacate where they sleep. You might need to get up in the night and take him out to potty, just as if you had a baby you'd have to get up and change his diaper. When you are away for eight hours, line the crate with newspaper but also put a bed inside that can not get soaked.

Answer 5

This is just fine. I have two adult dogs and two puppies. The puppies stay in their crates while I'm gone, and the adults roam free. (Usually, the adults lay in the same room as the pups.) They are all well adjusted dogs and have no problems with their crates. The pups will even lay down in their crates when we are home, and they are tired.

The "MLM" that don't believe in crate training seem to forget that dogs are den creatures. They feel more comfortable if they have a "safe haven" for themselves. Don't let anyone discourage you. Crating the pup is the right thing to do!

Good luck!

Answer 6

We have a senior toy poodle and 2 APBT's. When we leave for work, the poodle is locked in the master bath suite, the male APBT is crated and the female runs the house. This is not animal cruelty, and anyone that says it is, is IMO, a little off kilter.

I would definately crate train your puppy, just be sure to make the crate a pleasant place for her. You know, a treat to entice her to go in and safe chew toys while she is in there. Just be sure not to leave her in too long at a time as it is hard for little ones to hold it and not good for them to be deprived of water for too long. And never use the crate for punishment!

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

I'm a firm believer in crate training, and I think it should be fine to keep one crated and the other not. It might even speed the process and soon the puppy will realize if it listens and learns what it's supposed to it will be able to be free to roam like the older dog. Of course the puppy is going to wimper and cry, just try to not let it get to you! And good luck with the new puppy!

Answer 8

In finding an historic massive towel that you don't care about anymore and drape it over the crate after you put her in it. Additionally, supply her an historic sock or t-shirt of yours that has your scent on it, put it within the crate along with her. Are attempting taking part in some background music in the room her crate is in or document your voice and let it play in the background and shut the door. Do not run in whenever she begins to make noise, she's coaching you to return when she wants you. If your older canine sleeps in a crate at night time, try hanging them face to face in order that the infant can see that she's not on my own. If you don't want your dogs dozing in your bed, by all means, don't begin every now and then try to discontinue it later, it will not work. You know that in many instances babies just ought to cry, you are not able to run in at any time when they do, as they ought to study methods to alleviation themselves, good the equal goes for domestic dogs, she is going to gain knowledge of, it's simply going to make the effort. Hang in there and just right luck.

Answer 9

Yes, it's absolutely ok. Remember, the puppy doesn't know any different, plus dogs don't think like people do - the puppy will not think you're not being fair!! Besides, once the puppy's older and housetrained and well past the chewing stage, I'm sure she'll earn her freedom, too. There's no reason at all to start putting your 6 year old in a crate.

Answer 10

Well I think that's fine! My aunt has an older golden retriver named Sally and a one year old basset hound named Dasher. When they leave Dasher is put in a crate and Sally stays out. It's ok to do that until they learn and the dogs may eventually begin to like the crate. My neighbors do the same thing with thier jack russell. It's a fine thing to do so don't worry about it!