HELP! My parents crate their dog 24/7!?

Question

My parents are older, like in their late 50s and are good people and love animals but I recently found out that they are keeping their dog in a crate all day long!! (l live far away from them and found out on a recent visit) I mean the dog is well fed, groomed and loved, but only gets out of the crate/cage 3 times a day...1 hour for morning, 1 hour for afternoon, 1 hour in evening...to relieve herself, and run around. So she is crated 21 hours a day, 7 days a week

Is this abuse? It certainly doesn't seem right. They say the dog is too rambountiuos and will run upstairs and poop in the bedroom if they let her run around unsupervised. Not that that matters, I still think it's wrong. Do you all agree? What should I do?

Thanks for all the responses, oh I just wanted to add that they do walk the dog sometimes, not everyday but maybe every other day. And the cage is clean (no feces). Ok to add more details I should add that they have a 2nd dog that gets free roam of the house! They say they can trust him (he went to puppy kidergartern) and he's a calm german shepard. But I agree, that part of the reason the caged dog is hyper, is well because she's caged! I just don't know how to say anything to them without offending.

And someone asked if i could take the dog in myslef, but I can't for a while since I live in Hawaii (quartine laws, it takes months to ship animals)

I wish i could

The crated dog is a terrier mix

Answer 1

Yes, this is abusive. That's the short answer. Talk to your folks about getting involved in an obedience class. PetSmart has good ones and they're reasonably priced. Also, certain breeds are more active than others. What breed to they have? Dogs run and hide to poop and pee if they have been scolded. They get scared and that's what results. If the dog is properly potty trained, properly obedience trained, and supervised, the dog will do fine.

If I can help, feel free to email me.

Cindi G.
Pet Trainer

Answer 2

I believe this is VERY wrong. Tell you folks you don't like it. See what they have to say. Maybe ask if you can take the dog off their hands or something, since it seems to be so much of a problem for them to let it out of the crate. They probly won't miss it much if they don't even notice it for almost the entire day. Try asking them to get obedience training for the dog. Also, the dog probably wouldn't be so rambunctious if they let it out of the crate for more than 3 hours a day!!! It needs it's exercise. Especially depending on what type of dog it is, the bigger, the more time it needs running around and exercising. Like I said, see if there is anyway you can get the dog or something. The poor thing doesn't do anything to deserve being jailed for 21 hours a day! Also, if they have a fenced in yard, or a leash it can be tied to, see if they can at least let it be out there, so it can get a bit of exercise.
Hope I helped. Good luck!!! ^_^

Answer 3

Oh!!! poor baby. Sound like this dog is to much for your parents to handle. I wouldn't call it abuse-but It's not fair to the animal to live in a cage because it's too "rambountiuos" this dog may settle down if it could run around more. It sound like the dog is pretty well trained to relieve it self when allowed so I don't think they'll have many accidents. They have to give this dog some freedom. I'm the owner of a 9 month old Min. Schnauzer who is very busy when it's time to do so - outside. Inside she pretty calm; we do however, have our accidents. I feel thats to be expected. Good luck,

Answer 4

It is abuse. Crating is supposed to be used to potty train a puppy. To keep a dog confined to a crate 21 hours a day is cruel. Have a heart-to-heart with your parents. If they are unwilling to let the dog out and train it properly, then encourage to find another home for it. No matter how well groomed the dog, or how clean the crate, they are not responsible owners if they confine the dog in that way.

Answer 5

I agree with you and no disrespect to your parents, but if they can't handle taking care of an animal then they don't need to have one. I mean that in the nicest possible way, but the dog really doesn't deserve to be cooped up for that long every day. They have to have their excercise and all that too, I completely agree with you, however I don't know if they consider that abuse, because he is being fed and he isn't being made to lie in his own feces or anything. I would talk to the state about that, I think each state has different regulations regarding that kind of thing. My parents are in their 60's and they have a very young Schnauzer, they walk her every morning. I don't see why your parents wouldn't be able to take their puppy for a walk unless there was some kind of health condition.

Answer 6

Well there is one thing you can do is see about hiring a child in the neighborhood to come over a couple times a week to play with the dog and to take it for walks. You could also buy your parents a baby gate to go across the upstairs entrance.

And then it is your parents dogs they are old and if this is such a problem with you, there are a lot of people who have there dogs locked up in these creates because of work and school because of the mess and or damage the dogs cause when they are away.

But I myself do not cage my dogs it could be very unhealthy if the cage is not cleaned regularly.

Answer 7

What an awful life for the dog. I am 59 and I don't consider that so old that I can't keep up with my dog. If they can't train the dog maybe they should find it a home with someone who can take it out for a walk each day and allow it to roam more freely. A good dog trainer is another suggestion. Have you seen "The Dog Whisperer"? Perhaps there is someone in their area who practices this type of training. Keep us posted.

Answer 8

Well your parents probably shouldn't keep their dog in a crate 21/7 although as long as they let her relieve herself and take good care of her then it's not abuse. Although she should get out more, tell your parents to get doggy block cages in other words little plastic-like fences then are portable. They could block the places they don't want her to be. Also limit her free time so that she won't get so roudy.

Answer 9

Oh...my.... My heart feels the agony you and the dog must be going through. That is just so curl... You've got to do something. I see that you're not in a position to intervene at a moments notice and you respect your parents, but, its time for the talk. They'll get over what ever you have to say and I would hope that they will come to their senses. Call the humane society your self anonymous. Tell your parents to hire someone to take the dog for walks... Why do they even want the dog..... Maybe they don't...... Call animal control. Let them investigate. Keep track of whats happening then decide what your final act will be. BUT PLEASE!!!!!! Get someone over there.

Answer 10

It is not only wrong but cruel . They should give her away if they can't take proper care of her , sure she may be fed and groomed but she needs to have exercise and can't be locked up all day . I am sure they could be charged with cruelty to animals just for doing that . She deserves better than being in a cage all day and if they really love her they should understand. Maybe they should get some fish instead. If I knew of anyone doing this I wouldn't hesitate to report them.

Answer 11

I do agree with you, that is VERY cruel. I have read on a web site before that anything over 6 hours in a crate is cruel. Just search the web for crating dogs & I am sure you will find the hours that are appropriate. When you do either email it to them or print it off & mail it to them. What breed of dogs are they? Good luck to you & the dogs.