Crate training or non-crate, which is better?

Question

I've read so much about crate training but don't have a dog myself. I've read pro's and cons, right ways and wrong ways, so which side, if any, is the 'right' side, if both crating and non-crating get the job done?

I've just also read that people tend to use it forever, but yet it's a training thing, it's not supposed to be a permanent thing? It's just to teach the dog to not chew and destroy and get into things or pee all over type of thing? Or have I read it all wrong? Putting a dog inside a kennell inside the home sounds a bit .. strange?

Answer 1

as i see it crate training is something good for those people who don't have the time or temperament to spend actually time house training there dogs. i have never done it and i have had my own dogs since i was 3 years old, granted my family trained them for me until i could, but all my dogs have been good citizens.

Answer 2

I crate trained my dog. She sleeps in there but with the door open. It's her safe haven so I don't take it down. I could if I wanted to but I figure if she likes it why should I.

Crates are not inhumane. On the contrary it is their den. Much like wolves would have. The idea is that dogs will not soil their sleeping space. This is why getting the right size crate is important. If the crate is too big the dog will soil one part of the crate and sleep at the other end.

I've had both crated trained and non-crate trained. And I must say I saw faster results with crate training. I'll never go back to my old way.

Answer 3

From what I have read and seen, crates are nothing like kennels. Crates are metal cages with a mat for comfort on the bottom. This is better because dogs like to be able to see and know what's going on around them.

The crate becomes their home within a home. They feel safe and secure and may retire to it if feeling unsure about something or afraid.

For the first 2 years of a puppies life they can be fairly destructive, this can ensure you know the puppy and your belongings are safe. Later on it's the familiar place they go to when they want to chew a toy or sleep.

Answer 4

If the job gets done, then there isn't really a "right" side.

I believe in positive reinforcement. I believe the best way to train a dog is not to give the dog the opportunity to misbehave and reward all good behavior. I am a fan of crate-training because it is impossible to be with my dog 24/7. If I leave him outside, then he will dig, chew, or possibly get into a dangerous situation...ie get out of the yard, neighbor dog get in the yard, get sick from eating compost ect... If I leave him loose in the house, it's equally dangerous. BUT if he is in his crate, he is chewing on his toys and learning to "hold it" inside.

My first dog was crate trained for about 2 years, and then I gradually allowed him freedom in the house when I wasn't home. Now, when he is unsupervised, he knows exactly how to behave because the first two years of his life he was by my side or in his crate. My second dog is 7 months old, and already knows when he is in the house, he is to be on his bed. He knows that if he wants to chew, he must chew his toys. He knows to go potty outside. He knows to sit for attention and to sit to be invited inside. He doesn't even know what "sit" means yet. I have never hit my dog, and only raised my voice to be heard -not in anger. If he makes a mistake, then it is my fault because I should have been watching.

Answer 5

I have 4 Golden Retrievers and crate trained my last one. I wish I had done it with the others. I have Thousands of $$ worth of chewed up furniture & plants from the first 3. The last one is just a dream, she is 2years old now and her crate is set up permanently in the lounge room, she often goes and sleeps in it while we are watching tv and always heads to it if she knows we are going out. The zipper has broken so I can't lock her in, but guaranteed when i get home she is still in her crate. At bedtime she has the choice of a bed in our bedroom or her crate and 95% of the time she will sleep in her crate. The crate becomes their own special place.
Her crate was never used as a punishment, just somewhere for her to go while not supervised and for her to sleep at night when she was a puppy, but she now loves it.

Answer 6

crate training. it got the job done, and the dog actually feels safer inside the crate now.

we used it when we got our puppy 10 mths ago, and he learned to go to the door within 3 weeks. since we live in an apartment, we couldn't afford to fool around with potty training, and those wee-wee pads only teach the dog to pee in one spot IN in the house. we still keep him in the crate if we go out, but it's because he has now started chewing on things. he sleeps in it at night, but if we are home, he is always out of it. we never keep him in there just because we don't want to watch him, etc. that's not what a good pet owner does. it's a training tool, and sometimes he'll just go in and lay down.

if i felt it was cruel, i wouldn't have done it. we spoil our puppy rotten, and love him very much. i happen to like animals more than most people.

we don't beat the dog, and don't scream at him. he is like our child, and has not had an accident in 8 mths.

when he shows that he won't eat things he shouldn't, we'll allow him to be free. puppies chew and get into things. as long as the crate is big enough for him to stand, lay down, sit, etc, he is fine.


PS- "barbie", a child and a dog are very different. i would think you'd realise that...

Answer 7

well i think that crate training is what you should do. if you can get a dog into a crate then you have done what you need to,to train them. you should only keep them in there though when you are not there. it is always a good thing to crate train them but even if you do you dont keep them in there all of the time. you should only keep them in there when you are not there and at night.(that is the main time that crate training is good, and because that is when they would completely destroy everything.

Answer 8

i say don't crate train. we didn't crate train our dog, just disciplined her when she did wrong, and rewarded her when she did right (with a variety of treats). Also giving her lots of attention i think helped too. Now though, our dog loves us all to death <3 Even warns us when one of our cats manages to find a way through the window screens <3 She's a VERY happy dog now though, doesn't bite anyone, though growls and barks at new people. She learns who they are quickly though ^^ I think non-crate worked really well, and it's alot more friendly & welcoming to the dog too ^^

Answer 9

ignore approximately it. that is annoying in the commencing up yet once you fall down it is going to easily make the habit worse. the subsequent time you place him in there, placed him in together with his favority chewy toy and something gentle that has a comforting heady scent to him inclusive of a blouse of yours that is already been worn which you do not techniques parting with. We consistently placed a blanket on the backside of the crate so as that they might burrow and for convenience, that is not very friendly to sleep on annoying plastic. previous that purely try to get him used to his crate and take a inspect and get him to confirm his crate as a superb at cases once you do not could lock him in there. throughout the time of the day save the crate door open and inspire him to stroll in via putting treats or famous toys contained in the crate. Then while he walks in provide him multiple compliment and pets. permit him walk out while he's waiting. pass like that for awhile till he receives used to it and then progression to final the door after him. proceed to grant him compliment if he continues to be in devoid of whining. Then progression to leaving the room, some seconds in the commencing up and flow to longer stretches of time as much as a pair minutes, persevering with to compliment if he would not whine. Then come nighttime time he could do lots extra desirable.

Answer 10

I've seen people crate train their dogs and I think its awful, would you crate train your child?