Lack of Dog Crate = Heartless???

Question

Do you crate your dogs? Or are they uncrate trained?
I was discussing my dog's good behavior with some dog enthusiasts, and when they found out that my dog is not crate trained, that started accusing me of not caring about my dog's safety. They even asked why I even have a dog if I am not going to take care of it properly.

I am pretty irked by this, because my dog is very safe - and I never heard of any laws saying my dog needs to be in a crate.

What are your thoughts?
I have since stopped associating with that group of dog "enthusiasts."

Answer 1

Good for you, who needs judgemental people in their life! You just do what you think is best for your friend. I personally do not know anyone who puts their dogs in a crate, and I don't like the idea of it either. What if you make them sleep there at night and there is a fire? How would they get out? I just do not like the idea of a crate at all. but for those who do, to each their own?

Answer 2

I do use a crate for safety but I certainly don't think you're a bad owner for not using one. I use it because I have one compulsive chewer, two females who will likely fight without me to intervene, and a paranoia about fires. My dogs love their crates and go in them when they feel the need to be alone. They are only closed in them if I am not home which isn't often. Usually at least two dogs, if not all four, come with me but the crates are there JIC I need them. I also use them at dog shows. I found crate training to be extremely helpful when my dog had to have emergency surgery. She was, of course, crated at the vet's office but she was properly introduced to crates and thought nothing of it. To explain the paranoia, a friend lost one of her dogs in a fire. He was the only one not crated (he was spoiled) and he hid. The others were crated and were rescued by the firemen.

I think that if someone chooses not to use a crate, they just need to find some other way to keep their dog safe if it has bad habits or is very young. If they can and will do that then what's the problem? Having or not having a crate isn't going to make someone a good owner. I have seen some horrible owners who use crates. They feel that their dog should spend most of its time in the crate because they are too damn lazy to deal with it themselves. How is that good for the dog? A dog's place is with its family!

IMHO A crate is a training tool and nothing more. Some people use certain collars and others don't. As long as they use them correctly and train their dogs properly, is one worse than the other? The same for training rewards. Some people use toys, some treats, some praise. I WILL NOT use treats, prefering to give lots of praise. I don't see this as a problem, nor do I see someone using treats as a problem. It's all personal preference, that's all. Some people think that their way is the only way and I really feel sorry for them because they'll never learn new things. Each dog is different and learns and thrives best with certain things done. Owners should always strive to find what works for THEIR dog and leave others (unless advice is wanted) to care for theirs as long as the dog is happy, healthy, and loved.

Answer 3

LOL I would have told them there are many people out there that believe putting a dog in a crate is cruel. If its worked out for you this long then you must not need a crate. I never had a dog in a crate or even owned a crate before, I never saw a need for them. I am getting a chihuahua and I got a crate for him and he is the first. Other than helping with potty training I don't understand the use for them. Also if your around your dog doesn't need a crate and if its in the house and its used to being there why isn't he safe? These people sound self conceited to me and good for you to blow them off.

Answer 4

I'm not sure where your dog enthusiasts are coming from...My dogs have both been trained to accept the crate, but only one of them uses it willingly.

The only time that I can think where you are better off with a crate is when traveling in the car, but there are no laws in any state that I am aware of that require any sort of crate use at all.

Crate training is mostly matter of choice. I crated both my dogs because they weren't fully house trained when I brought them home from the humane society, but the now the crate isn't even fully assembled.

Answer 5

there are two times when it's important to crate your dog
- when the dog is unsupervised such as while you're at work a dog is better off in a crate unless he has proven himself to be trustworthy. many dogs get into things while their human is gone (such as counter surfing for leftovers) and some dogs have died doing this.
- when you are travelling - your dog should always be properly restrained whether you choose a crate or a harness, the dog should be restrained just as you do not allow children or passengers to ride unrestrained. Remember, if you get into an accident, it's not the emergency personnel's job to keep track of your dog who could escape and disappear or be hit by a car.

crate training your dog is a great idea because then you have an option if you are somewhere and the dog needs a place to be confined and it can also provide some life-saving benefits. I don't agree with anyone accusing you of being heartless for not doing it, heck i was in your position not that many years ago, but a crate is an important tool and as i looked into the benefits, i made sure that for unsupervised time alone and for trips in the car, my dogs are always crated.

Answer 6

That is pure crap!! Crate training is a good way to train a puppy and give them a safe place if they want it I on the other hand was very lucky with my dog he is doing well in the training part i have never used a crate for training other than when we are in the car. He has his little travel crate. Never at home though

Answer 7

My dog used to be crate trained when she was a puppy for her own safety because she used to chew on leftovers and everything she could put a tooth on in the house. And I was afraid she would get access to cleaning products and poison herself.
However, now she knows the difference between her own safe chewing toys and other things laying around in the house. so I leave the crate open. However, if you dog is not well house-trained I would suggest that you put you dog in a crate. Otherwise, there is no reason to leave the poor dog inside the crate all day.

However, when you travel by car, you should probably crate your dog for his own safety as well as your own. If you get into a car accident, the dog can get ejected throught he windshield and if he/she is in the back seat, he/she might break your neck.

Hope this help

Answer 8

Crates are good if you need them. However, our large Otter Hound was never in a crate and we had him from a tiny puppy until he was 17. He was great! I don't prefer to use the crate at all. I feel it's like a little jail cell for the dog. I do use one now because we have a large hound who is only 5 months old and he gets into EVERYTHING! If I left him out for 5 minutes by himself he would eat something or break something. If you would like to use a crate, there is nothing wrong with that as long as they are not in it all the time. If you don't use one, there is nothing wrong with that either. I think you were right to stop speaking to them, they sound a little off key.

Answer 9

I think it Completely depends on the dog. My boyfriend grew up with german shepherds who were Never crate trained. But they were also completely potty trained, and never chewed on anything other than their toys. So they could stay out in the house when they left, or when they were sleeping. But my dog now HAS to be crated when we leave and when we sleep because she WILL have accidents in the house if not crated. And also because I don't want her to get in to anything when I am not watching her, as she is a chewer. I hope to eventually let her sleep in her bed, without the crate, but she is too puppy like right now, and it would not be responsible for me to leave her out. But if your dogs are well behaved, and there is nothing for them to get into, then I think it is Perfectly Fine if they are not crated.

Answer 10

Crate training your dog is just a way to take advantage of it's natural instincts, it usually makes the potty training process faster. That said, I have a huge amount of respect for people that can potty train without this technique, it takes more patience and work to do it with just treats and reward. It's good to have your dog familiar with the crate if you travel and it may be on a plane some day. But other than that, who cares!?!

I love crate training, because it made my life easier. I think anyone that doesn't use the crate went the harder or longer road for training, but that is your choice. I would never say that the dog isn't safe if you don't use a crate.

Once my dog was older and I could trust him to be in the house all day without being in trouble or having accidents I never used the crate. Only used it for travel after that, but he was familiar with it so it didn't bother him to be in it.

Sounds to me like you made a good choice to distance yourself from the fanatics. I like middle of the road people myself, they may have their way of doing things, but don't try to shove it down your throat. :)

Think you are a saint for training your dog without a crate, and think your friends are a bit over the edge.