2007-12-28 02:46:16 · 20 answers · asked by bettyb 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It can be a life saver... litterally. I had a friend who refused to crate train. Kept the pup in the bathroom. He got into something under the sink and it killed him a day later. If she had crated him, he would not have destroyed the toilet paper, peed all over the towels every day or died from poisoning.
I think crate training is a wonderful thing and it gives the dog what they instinctively want... a den.
2007-12-28 02:52:41 · answer #1 · answered by willodrgn 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think that crating is perfectly acceptable. I have two dogs now, and both were crate trained when they were learning to go potty outside. Some people think it's cruel and unusual to lock a dog up in a "prison." Don't get me wrong, I don't think the dog should be locked up in their crate all day; they should only be crated over night or when they are home alone. Crating should never be used as a punishment, either. In my experience, both my dogs got to the point where they would lay down in their crates to take naps or to chew on their favorite toy. I read somewhere that dogs are instincutally cratures that like to den, so they enjoy having a place to call their own.
2007-12-28 02:59:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Crate training is not really used where I come from and my pets are taught to be in their crates for transportation only. I would consider using a crate for an extremely fearful dog, provided that the crate had a positive influence on the dog, making it feel more safe, but otherwise not.
I suspect crate-training can make your life easier, as you do not need to watch your puppy 24 hours a day. On the other hand, apart from the lessened work-load and more sleep for the owner, I have yet to be convinced about the advantage for the puppy. I've heard too many stories about howling and upset puppies, when they are left to cry themselves to sleep, for me to consider this method when our new puppy arrives this spring. I'll take the lack of sleep and constant supervision instead, which I've had good results with.
2007-12-28 03:31:05 · answer #3 · answered by Voelven 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it's a great time and probably the only time you could do it. my grandmother's dog was never left alone, she took him with her everywhere, and now when she leaves, and he's home alone, all he does is cries. we crate trained our pup because even though he is a year old, we can't leave him roam the house because he still gets into everything. we leave him in a crate while we're at school and work, and my grandmother comes over throughout the day to leave him outside and play with him for awhile. i think it's really necessary to crate train them. and it's also not a matter of a dog being cooped up, my dog is a minature daschund, and he has a crate where you could adjust the size of it, when he was a pup, we only gave him a little area so he wouldn't pee in it or anything, but now that he is older and house-trained, he has a nice big crate when we're not home.
EDIT
and he also was never locked up in a crate all day. up until he was about a year old, my mom didn't have a job, so she was home with him during the day. we only crated him at night.
2007-12-28 03:08:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
crates are great! Really they are, it is not being mean, which some people thing. Dogs come to love their crates and go to them for peace and quiet and safety in the same way we love our own beds! It's difficult at the beginning because you feel guilty and the puppy cries, but they soon stop, you can cover the crate with a blanket at night and give him those chew toys that are shaped like cones and you can fill them with peanut butter and it will keep the puppy busy until he sleeps.
2007-12-28 04:20:46 · answer #5 · answered by mabelline7 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bless the person that invented the crate. It is a great training tool as well as a shelter for the dog to feel safe in. Starting earlier is better. Never use the crate as a punishment. Make sure the crate is size appropriate. You don't want it too big as then they can relieve themselves in it nor too small to make them feel trapped. Good luck to you!
2007-12-28 02:52:06 · answer #6 · answered by boxersdodrool 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If it's crate "training" then it's great and one of the best ways to raise a puppy however it the person is just crating the dog to avoid training and healthy interaction then it's the worst thing one could do.
2007-12-28 03:05:11 · answer #7 · answered by maggiecme 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts on crating a puppy are good. We have crated all of our dogs and they are all happy and adjusted to it.
we leave the doors open during the daytime and if they want to get in it they can and only close the door at night when it is bedtime. Also we give a treat to go to bed on so that they don't think of it as punishment, but a good place to be.
2007-12-28 02:54:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a wonderful way to potty train and train them from ruining their home. If you start it early enough and keep at it, they'll look to their crate as a comfortable place to escape. Every dog we've had we've crate trained, and it's been quite successful. All professionals agree that it's humane and a good idea, especially if you can't be home with them all the time.
2007-12-28 02:50:58 · answer #9 · answered by Allison 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is the best way to crate train a dog from the begining. Make it a happy place as much as you can, nice bed and toys and treats. Don`t put him in there and leave, put him in there alittle at a time until he gets used to it. Leave it open when you are home and feed him in there, he will think it is his den.
2007-12-28 03:01:39 · answer #10 · answered by theresagerber 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋