What are people views on the use of crates and cages for dogs ??

Question

Should people have dogs if they put them in these for hours every day . Thanks :)

Answer 1

I would never dream of putting my dogs in them they are living creatures like me and you and I wouldn't like it. To me the people I know who use them have problems with there dogs or they simply don't have time to look after them ,and they should address these problems rather than locking them up.

Answer 2

Remember dogs are not humans, don't see crates as prisons and have never seen The Great Escape.

When the dog is first introduced to the crate it is a good idea to put a little treat in the crate, let him wander in and eat it, all the while telling him what a good boy he is, but don't shut the door. Keep doing this every few minutes, making sure that he can come out. His bed should be in there too.

Every now and then shut the door, leave it a few seconds then open it again. Do not pet him as soon as he comes out of the crate or he will think this is what you want him to do.

Very soon he will see the crate as his den so you need to avoid going into or cleaning the crate when he is around. by extending the periods when the door is closed he will see this as normal but again don't pet him until he has been out of the cage for a few minutes.

NEVER use the cage as punishment.

I promise you that a dog is perfectly happy in a small space as long as they associate it with bed and food.

I really believe that people who call crates cruel haven't really grasped the need for a dog to be treated as a dog. They are not human and have different needs (the dogs that is, not the anti-craters. On second thoughts.....).

Answer 3

I volunteered at a shelter and found out the research on crate training is poor. There have been situations when in an emergency i.e., fires or earthquakes, the dogs that are crate trained go to there crate rather than trying to escape because the crate is a place of security. I don't believe in crates and have never used them and my dogs have always been well trained and potty training usually only takes about 2 weeks. That isn't to say I give an 8 week old puppy free run of the house I usually choose a room (kitchen easy clean up) and gate it off and put the puppy there when I can't supervise. All in all it is a matter of opinion but I don't think crating is mandatory just love, consistency, and patience.

Answer 4

Crate training a dog is very effective! (Not that they should be used as a prison) I have three basset hounds, they are crate trained, and do not view being put in their crates as a bad thing! They actually want to go there most of the time. It is where they sleep, and where they go when they are frightened. They are also good to use to put them in when we will be gone for 3-4 hours... this protects them... How many dogs run out the door when someone forgets to close the front door? How many dogs cause fires by chewing on electric cords? How many dogs get into an owners medication that was accidentally left out? How many dogs get hit by a car when the owner is not home? Being crated is safest for the dog! I love my dogs and would never imprison them! Crating a dog is more like putting a baby in a play pen! As long as the crate is large enough.... the dog is perfectly happy!

Answer 5

Try being an assistant in an obedience training class... Its the 101 people who are looking for a magic solution to stop the dog from destroying the house but who would rather destroy the dog than put in a safe crate that shouldn't be allowed dogs!

PS I went to wash crate cushions yesterday - I ended up not because every crate had a dog lounging in it. yes, with the door open....

Answer 6

Crates are very effective house breaking tools. They give a puppy his own space - a den - and by instinct, dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep. Crate training has many facets to it but the crate is the key tool. Once the dog is house broken, many times, they continue to like using the crate as their home. My dog still sleeps in his crate although we keep the door open. Crates are not for "animal storage". Putting your dog in the crate for short periods of time while you're home or out, not only allow the dog to learn to "hold it" but also keeps them from chewing items in your home.

Answer 7

Crates are invaluable for training a puppy. They love having their own space where they can be left in peace. Crates prevent puppies from poisoning themselves, electrocuting themselves, escaping & getting run over. The best owner in the world can't watch a puppy 24/7 & it it helps to know the puppy is not getting into harm while they are otherwise occupied. . In a car, many nervous dogs feel far more secure when in a cage, it protects them in the event of a crash (one saved the life of my dog in that instance)
I agree that dogs shouldn't be left in them for hours on end, but most people keep their cages as indoor kennels where a dog can choose to go in & out as they please.

Answer 8

Is it inhumane to give a child a bedroom? Is it inhumane for you to be "locked" into a home? Why aren't you just roaming free on the streets? Properly used, a crate is your dog's own personal space. It is his home/room. He can go there to be safe and away from anything that is bothering him. Of course if a dog is locked into an undersized crate all day, every day bad things will happen, but the same can be said of people too. We don't cry about giving kids a bedroom even though a few are locked into theirs and never let out. It is the same idea. If you think crate training is cruel then you are ignorant.

Answer 9

There you guys go again!! Thinking with your emotions instead of knowledge.

Here is an article for you to read
http://www.retrievertraining.net/crate/kennel.htm

Plus the fact that we are on the road with a van full of dogs almost all the time. Try going to a dog show with a dozen dogs sometime if you want to see the non crate trained dog in action.

Answer 10

We got our dog when he was 9 weeks old and crated him for just the time needed to potty train him about 2 weeks. Generally dogs do not go where they sleep. We are crate free now and he is 3 months old. (Oh we are gone at least 9 hours a day)

Answer 11

I strongly agree with crate training. It usually make potty training easier and quicker. Dogs are also den animals and if used correctly they will think of their crate as their den and will feel safe and secure in them. It is also a whole lot safer to keep your dog in a crate when you are not home or are asleep until it is trustworthy. Some dogs no matter how well they are trained are never trustworthy and should be crated when no one is home to watch them or during the night. For all of you that think it is cruel, let me ask you this. Is it worse to put your dog in a crate when you are away from home or is it worse to let it roam and be free to let it possibly get into something it shouldn't and possibly lie there and die a slow miserable death?