Crating Your Dog

What I have found is that open access to their own crate is a great way for an overstimulated or tired dog to "Retreat". We are a mostly stay-at-home family and do not use our crates for restraining a dog over long periods. What we HAVE done is to teach our children - even from crawling and toddling ages - that the dog's crates are totally off limits to them. This creates a safe, "kid free" zone for our dogs when they want a break from the kids. Now if only they made "Mommy-crates"!

My neighbors have their dogs crated out back.
They've been crated for 98 hours and the SPCA doesn't see a problem with that.
Even if they were being taken care of and walked for a half hour once a day and the cages cleaned it-wouldn't you still consider this to be cruel? Well the Philadelphia SPCA doesn't.
They say it's like when your pet is at the vet office. They keep them in those crates for many hours.
So, crating your pet for 100+ hours or more is fine with the Philadelphia SPCA.

the way i see it..putting your dog in a crate is better than having it euthinized at a shelter.. people say dont get a dog if you cant spend alot of time with it..well most normal people work 8 hour days..as long as you make sure the pup gets pleanty of walking and excerise during the morning and at night and keep up with its vet visits..food water toys..the dog should be fine. If everyone who wokred a 9-5 job didn't get adopt a dog...there would be alot more dead dogs in the world... I worked at a kennel for a long time too..they let the dogs out 2 times a day for walks thats it... you have to be willing to spend time with the dig when you are home before and after work....I take my dog for an hour walk in the am and in the pm.she is outside with us for hours playing ball..

I would never crate a dog. There is such a thing as quality of life. If I had to be created 9 hours a day, I rather be dead. It would be worst than being in prison. If you can't keep your dog in a dog run or in a safe room, get a gold fish. These are highly intelligent life forms, they do not like being left alone for hours in an area were they cannot move or have to hold going outside at your leisure.

Isn't a safe room just large crate?

Dogs don't think/behave like humans. They have different preference. You don't like digging your backyard and sniffing into the hole, do you? "I wouldn't want to be in a crate" is a very, very ignorant and silly remark. They like having a den- a crate, if used properly (i wouldn't keep a dog in a crate for 10+ hours straight) it's a safe place for themselves where they can rest without distractions.

I would never put a dog in a crate. People confine dogs for their own convenience and to keep their possessions safe from a dog's potential destruction. If you really think a dog want to be in a cage, why not leave the door open? If someone wants to own a dog, he needs to spend the time and energy to train it. That means patiently taking the dog out to eliminate, teaching it not to destroy furniture, not to bite, not to bark, and above all. playing with it to provide exercise and prevent boredom. A dog who receives no stimulation all day is guaranteed to rip a house apart when given the freedom and opportunity. Being a responsible pet owner is a lot of work, but if you truly love animals, it will be well worth it. Many people think they want a puppy but when they see how much work it is to own one, they let the puppy run wild or confine it to a crate. Six months later, when the puppy has developed bad habits and is not so cute anymore, it is turned over to a shelter so someone else can deal with its behavioral problems. Our neighbors' dogs are tied in their yards and bark all day until someone comes home to let them free. I don't blame the dogs, but it's very annoying to anyone who is home. I honestly don't know why these people own dogs; they obviously don't have the time to play with them or be companions to them.

We crate our Cavalier. I think he likes it. Why? Well, many times we have the crate open and even though he can lay around anywhere in the house, he'll go back to his crate and lay in there. We keep a nice soft bed in there that gets changed out from time to time. Believe me, I love dogs, especially Cavs. I would never do anything to harm them. He appears to be well served by his crate. When we're home, we keep the crate open. When we need to leave the house, we just tell him to get in the crate and he willingly goes. In fact, all I have to do is point at him and then the crate and he goes. This is normal for him and he's okay with it. He's over 2 and half years old.

My parents keep their 55lb german shepherd in its crate upwards of 23 hours every day. It is let out about 15 minutes at a time to eliminate, eat, and drink and then it's right back in the crate. Often it whines in the crate and is just ignored...someone's home all day, but whenever they let it out it is totally rambunctious (not surprising to me) and the dog is too strong for my parents to control (they are old). I can understand keeping a dog in a crate (maybe) when you are at work, but even after my father comes home, the dog stays in the crate. Isn't this cruel? Is it harmful to the dog?

I own three dogs all Boston Terriers. First one from a breeder that we got as a puppy. I was a stay at home mom when we got him and I was completely opposed to the idea of crates, Dudley went everywhere with me. If I did have to leave him alone he had so much anxiety that I would come home to find he tried to chew through the door. He eventually grew out of it, but I still refused to crate him. When I had to go back to work I didn't want him to be alone all do, so I adopted my second BT, another male. We separated them during the day using gates, but BJ would completely destroy a room by tearing, digging, you name it! We started crate training him on the advice of the vet and he loved his little den. All his behavior issues stopped as soon as we started using the crate. One day he had gotten outside gates and was attacked by coyote, when I got him back into house he went straight to crate and did not want to come out. Eventually he grew out of his destructive behavior and is no longer confined to crate. Just adopted 1 year old from local shelter. Crate trained from day 1 for a variety of reasons, first being his safety. He is smaller and has a host of health issues and I wouldn't dare leave him alone with the other two bigger dogs unsupervised. He knows crate is quiet safe time and goes in with treats and seems to be quite content. As with children, each dog is different. My older dogs don't require crates and hopefully Sammy won't either some day. But for now, he's a crate puppy during the work day. We all walk every morning and play every night as soon as I come home. I would love to be able to work close enough to home to be able to come home and let him out for lunch, but it's just not the case. My dogs are loved. They are my best friends and spend most of their evenings on my lap or at my feet. When used properly crate training is a great tool. Just like anything else, there will always be those that take advantage.

Crating is absolutely not cruel. When we think of "confinement" from a human point of view, sure it doesn't match our habits. Then again, neither does eating our poop or chasing the mailman.

Dogs need their personal space. They need a "den", which is their own territory. If you start crate training a puppy, the easier it will be for him/her as an adult dog. It helps with potty training, destructive behavior, allows the dog a safe haven, security, and helps the dog develop a schedule. Ask anyone that knows anything about dogs and they will tell you that dogs thrive on routine. Not to mention, puppies already sleep 12-15 hours a day. So why not build on that and train them to function in their private domain.

Now, as in everything in life, I guess crate training can be "abused". If the dog is not being fed, and/or not taken to the restroom every few hours, not allowed to play for at least 20 minutes after bathroom break...then sure, I guess the naysayers have somewhat of a leg to stand on.

However, ultimately, crate training is generally beneficial for you and your pet.

It is Cruel to Confine Dogs
If you want a pet in a cage buy a hamster!!

If you dont have enough time to care for a dog properly, dont get one! If you want to keep your pet in a cage all day, go buy a hamster, gerbile, snake, whatever. Dont buy a dog if you think he or she is just some object in a box.

I have owned large breed dogs; pitts, boxers, shepherds for almost 20 years. If you do not have the time to house train a dog do not get a dog. My dogs have access to the garage and a side dog run if they have to do their business but have full run of the house every day I am at work. If crating your dog is not bad then tell your boss to chain you to your desk for the entire work day so you cannot get to a bathroom if needed. What's fair for your dog is fair for you. As for small dogs they can be trained to use litter boxes like cats do for apartment dwellers.

I crate my Chihuahua during the day when Im at work simply because I just moved to a new house. My Chi is trained to use a litter box when I am not there, but since we are in a new place now, I begin with the crate, and come home at lunch to let her out and to show her where her box is. When she is confident that she can use the litter box again, I wont crate her any more. This is just simple house training 101. Oh and the crate I use is huge. I can fit in it and Im 6'3", so I know a 6 pound Chihuahua has LOTS of room in it.

Let me do my best to correct everyone here who has misconceptions about the "cruelties" about crating dogs. I'm an animal behaviorist at a large research university, and I suspect I've personally dealt with more dogs than every commenter here combined.

To those who would never want to be crated as humans: there are many things dogs enjoy you would not. Being walked on a leash, chewing a tendon strip for hours, eating from a bowl on the ground, or even wandering around a 100' by 100' backyard day after day. This is because as humans, we do what's called anthropomorphizing, which in this instance means we imagine dogs to have all human traits. They do not. They can be intelligent, understanding, experience pleasure and pain, but not as we do, and not based on the same stimuli. To put it simply: I have crated enough dogs that there is simply not that much left to learn. They like it. As I write this, my latest dog is resting comfortably in his cage (with the door wide open). Crating dogs is of greater benefit to them than it is to their humans. There are many different ways to train dogs, but one of the worst is to always imagine, "What would I want in this situation?"

My neighbors keep their full grown lab in a crate under their carport over 20 hours a day. It is currently near 100 degrees where I live. The dog obviously does NOT like this as he whines and barks for hours on end. If you're going to crate a dog constantly why not at least do so inside an air conditioned/heated house. I don't know why these people got a dog since they don't seem to want to spend any time with it. They have a fully fenced back yard, but the dog is a fence jumper - possible because they haven't had it neutered. I find this grossly irresponsible.

Many people crate their dogs while they are away from the house. Perfectly normal. Some won't admit this because they are afraid that some will call them cruel. Even my vet says that it is ok to crate your dog while at work. In the morning, I let him use the restroom and then I take him on a walk. He spends 8-9 hours in his crate and the rest if the day out with me. He also spends the entire weekend out of his crate.

First of all, anyone who says 'crates are bad', are irresponsible, and have not done their research. Your skepticism and comments are nothing but typical and predictable. For you supposed people who 'love' dogs, that proves to me how much you love them, YOU'RE SO UNINFORMED.I have done my research, I have worked with trainers, I have read Cesar's books, and in fact I have registered myself in Cesar's sessions. I have also researched what 'canines' really are all about, their instincts, their habits, their EVERYTHING. Crates are the best things for them. In the wild, canines sleep 90% of the their day in their den. Have you ever seen what their den's look like in the wild? It's a small dark hole in the ground. Smaller than most crates. Exploring, hunting, playing is a very small portion of their day, but it's crucial that they have it. Training your dog doesn't fully guarantee that they won't destroy anything in your house, first of all, and second of all you're doing it for their own safety. Crating is very important to teach them their properly the 'den instinct'. This actually helps bring anxious temperament dogs to a calmer state. They need this, it's a part of them. What is the difference of confining them to a house or a crate? They're still confined. Dogs originate from forests, from the outdoors. Crate should be the appropriate size for your dog, large breeds should have large crates, I believe they should have room to stand up comfortable, my crate is massive, I prefer a space whereby my dog can move around, stand, and stretch. And whereby even though I put his favorite toys and his bowl of water, he still has lots of room. He's very cozy in there, and when I come home from work, even though I take him out, my dog still goes back in there, the crate is another word for 'den'. Den signifies their "safe place". They need this in the wild and they need this with us as well. This is essential whether people like it or not. And believe me, my dog is satisfied, and happy, he gets 1 hour of walking every day rain or shine, and has lots of playtime, and gets lots of affection. In the end, it has nothing to do with the crate, it's all about whether or not the master fulfills their needs or not, that's what determines their happiness.

Crating a dog for any reason other than travel or confinement after surgery is hideous. A crate is not, and can never be a 'den'. Dens have at least two entrances, none of which is ever locked, and a den is a communal area, where canines can share space and body warmth.

In my experience people crate dogs because they have chosen the wrong pet for the home/family environment. If your dog can't carry out natural behaviours such as getting up, stretching, roaming a few feet or metres then settling again, that's an offence in some countries, and rightly so. If you're afraid your unattended puppy or dog will wreck furnishings, then get a goldfish.

When my 8 month old German Shepherd puppy stretches after a sleep, he measures almost 6ft from nose to hock - and no way could he do that in a crate. The sooner dog crates are universally outlawed, the better, imo.

To the Guest who said this: Guest : First of all, anyone who says 'crates are bad', are irresponsible, and have not done their research. Your skepticism and comments are nothing but typical and predictable. For you supposed people who 'love' dogs, that proves to me how much you love them, YOU'RE SO UNINFORMED......

You are so incredibly wrong you don't even know how wrong you are. I've owned dogs (3 x GSD's, a Doberman, Flat Coat Revtrievers). A crate is NOT a den, repeat NOT a den. A den has exists (plural) and the animals can come and go at will. It is also a communal space, which the canines choose themselves. Those who cite den issues as an excuse for caging a dog, do so self-servingly. If you don't have an appropriate property or area for a dog to play safely, then you simply shouldn't have one. Were I live there are NO dangerous wildlife, my fences are unscalable, as all the horizontal members are on the other side. It's non-porous material, so a dog can't get a toe-hold on it.

On the other hand, if you live in an area that has coyotes, wildcats, snakes, or other toxic or predatory wildlife you're better off having a pet that's suited to an indoor cage, such as a hamster or a canary. Lord knows the caged dog is better off if you don't it. If your furnishings are more important, then why bring a dog into the house. Crates are simply a controlling way for someone to have both a dog and pretty sofa. Crates are the lazy dog owner's way of shirking their responsibilities in regards to their dog/s.

Now: Cesar Milan. I used to think he was good too, till I found him endorsing an aversion collar, designed by his wife. It's a double collar that rides high up on the neck of the dog and can cut across the delicate area behind/under the ears. It's disgusting, just as digusting as a prong collar or shock collar. Aversive methods are not to be recommended. I've owned dogs for 49 years and have never found any of these practices necessary.

A dog is not a fashion accessory, and the thing they want most is our company. I would never have a dog if there wasn't someone home with it during the day to teach it, play with it, entertain it. It's just unfair to the animal.

I get so angry to hear people say that Crating a dog is cruel. Its Not for our convenience or to punish a dog - but its for the DOG or PUPPYS health. The next time you have a dog poisened by something or they accidentally chew a power cord and get shocked, or whatever -- then maybe you'll think twice about crating them. I do not condone crating them ALL the time, but of course if you can't keep your eye on them or are cooking or at work, its only GOOD for the PUPPYs health to crate them. Our vet loves her dogs and crates them all day every day. Exercise them, love them, give them play time, walk time and take them out to pee/poo 1 hour for each month old.. (So 2 mths old - take out every 2 hours, etc.).. and that is NOT CRUEL. My dog has been crated all his life - and he loves the crate. He goes in there to sleep and cried when we took it down, so we had to put it back up cause he missed it. We make it a play room for him - a place to eat/sleep.. and leave the door open. When he was under 1.5 years old, we closed the door when we were gone - rest of time left it open.. and now we leave it open all the time and he goes in there to get away, nap, sleep etc.. RESEARCH dog crates before you say its "cruel". What is cruel is a dog getting put to sleep, or getting hit by a car, or getting poisened by something by accident, or chewing a power cord by accident and getting electricuted. We are keeping our dogs SAFE and from harm.. and as long as the crate is big enough to move around, and stand freely.. and you dont leave them in there non stop all the time its not cruel!

To the Guest who said this: I get so angry to hear people say that Crating a dog is cruel. Its Not for our convenience or to punish a dog - but its for the DOG or PUPPYS health. The next time you have a dog poisened by something or they accidentally chew a power cord and get shocked, or whatever -- then maybe you'll think twice about crating them. I do not condone crating them ALL the time, but of course if you can't keep your eye on them or a...

You say your dog loved his crate. A dog will get used to anything given time, even being starved and beaten, and will still love its owner. Crates are for those who can't provide a normal, safe, natural environment for the dog. If you're not home during the day to be company for your dog, and train/entertain it then why have one? It's selfish, and it's bending the roaming nature of the dog to suit your work hours. It's totally hideous and should be outlawed. My dog comes in and out of the house at will all day, as there's someone home with him. Outside there are no dangers - no dangerous wildlife or hazards in the yard. I tore and sprained a lot of muscles making it that way. To leave a dog alone for 8-9 hours a day is a crying shame to start with, let alone locking him in a cage to boot. There is no valid, humane excuse for it, other than owners wanting the best of both worlds: the joy and happiness of a dog, PLUS undamaged furnishings.

All of the people who are saying it's cruel to leave your dog alone for 8 hours a day need to do one thing. Get a job.

i too still think crates are a sad way to look after a dog, if you are at work for eight hours at least get a neighbor or friend to walk your dog for an hour in the day, and pay them for helping you.i know of someone whose dog having slept in their crate all night goes to work by 7 30 and in the crate all day, a king charles.this is not fair, no food or water in crate they are not back until 6 . its a sad life for him.

I have a Border Collie and he's 6 months old, I love him so much and feel so guilty leaving him in a crate. I walk him in the morning and evening, also, whenever possible, I go home during my lunch break to walk him, and I take him to play when my neighbors are out with their dogs so he can run. The only thing is that when I tried putting him in my second room, which I prepared just for him with toys and the crate with his comfy bed, he ATE THE CARPET! THE WALL! EVERYTHING HE COULD SINK IS TEETH INTO and eventually got sick, this made me decide to keep him in a crate, however, I still feel guilty. Is there anything else I can try to keep him happy and safe?

We have a Cavalier King Charles 1.5 years old, and both me and my husband work. He has a crate which is in the kitchen and the way we do it is leave the crate open but close the kitchen door. The kitchen floor has not got anything for him to destroy and we leave one or two toys, such as balls and kongs on the floor plus food and water. He gets a walk & play for about 20 minutes in the noon. He seems happy and healthy with this routine.

To the two guests, one who said:
First of all, anyone who says 'crates are bad', are irresponsible, and have not done their research. Your skepticism and comments are nothing but typical and predictable. For you supposed people who 'love' dogs, that proves to me how much you love them, YOU'RE SO UNINFORMED... and the other who said:
I get so angry to hear people say that Crating a dog is cruel. Its Not for our convenience or to punish a dog - but its for the DOG or PUPPYS health. The next time you have a dog poisened by something or they accidentally chew a power cord and get shocked, or whatever -- then maybe you'll think twice about crating them... You guys are idiots. Honestly if you're worried about poisoning, and power cords, then cover them up! Put baby-proof locks on any cabinets with poisonous chemicals. put small boxes over the cord. If it is a cord that you move around, such as a vaccum cord, then simply remove the dog from that room. Caging is cruel. That's all there is to it. <) :

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has a good article on this:

http://www.peta.org/about/why-peta/crating-dogs.aspx

Unbelievable! I have never before heard of this practice, and most certainly don't know anyone who engages in it (except for sick and injured pets at the vet, or for transportation). Why on earth would you get a dog if you're going to put it in a crate? Of course it's cruel, of course it's inhumane, and anyone who crates their dog should be ashamed of themselves. As for the pathetic justifications given by these people... stop making excuses for your own selfish behaviour. And for all those fools who think that crating is a good way to house-train a puppy... just think about it. Of course a puppy is going to soil itself if confined to a crate, this is going to have the opposite effect to that intended.
Yet again, I have been stunned by the extent of cruelty that humans seem to enjoy inflicting on other living creatures.

I see both sides of the crate issue. Yes, I use a crate for my puppy (a 7 month old schnorkie), NO I don't believe a dog should be crated all day everyday. But then again, I'm lucky enough to be home pretty much all day. I only use my crate if I'm going to be away from the house for any extended amount of time. The crate did help me housebreak my puppy though. The only reason I crate her when I'm away is so she doesn't eat something she's not supposed to. She is a puppy after all. It is for HER safety, not because I'm too lazy to train her. I have a large fenced in yard that I could leave her in while I'm gone, but that would be cruel to throw her outside, because she is not accustomed to being out in the weather. So, yea, I see both sides of the arguement. Don't use crates irresponsibly. I do crate her when I go to bed at night. When she gets tired, she will sit in front of me and stare at me until I get up and put her in her crate, that is where her bed is and she seems to be comfortable in there. If used correctly a crate shouldn't be scary. When she gets a bit older, and I'm convinced she's not going to chew on something she shouldn't, then I will most likely not use the crate anymore.

It actually amazes me with all the talk of our dogs being family and deserving protections that people still use the crate. Why would you put a member of your family in a cage? We as a society are sending mixed signals. You can't penalize some people for using e-collars, pronged collars, and the like (I don't advocate or use them) and then say it's ok to crate. It is not. It's confinement and dogs hate being confined. I used to work in the animal care sector and most were barking and howling to get out of their cages. It's plain cruel. Crating is recent in history of the human-dog relationship. It was not needed long time ago and it's not needed now. What is necessary is to keep track of your dog at all times if he's a pup or a rescue. Make sure he's on a leash attached to you at all times. Take him outside to the spot you would like him to go and praise him when he does it. Do this several times a day - first thing in the morning, Once in the afternoon, once in the evening, and once at night (you will need to go to his spot more often if he's a pup). You will have to work with him and he will eventually get it. Some learn faster than others. If he's a chewer, make sure you teach him to chew on acceptable alternatives like Kongs. Perhaps if you are too busy or put your possessions first, you shouldn't have a dog.

I have been doing a tremendous amount of research on this issue as I would hate to abuse any animal in any way. The crate used for a specific breed should not be the same as a travel carrier. If a person is storing their dog in a travel carrier for 6+ hours a day then I have to agree that this is cruel. A crate should be similar to a cage left uncovered with enough room to move around in. The crate I finally decided on buying was big enough for a golden retriever though I am buying a Lagotto Romagnolo which is a small to medium sized dog. As a puppy the crate will be HUGE and more than enough room to romp around safely while I am at work. I will be able to come during lunch so the max amount of time spent alone is 4 hours which is not bad at all and on top of that I provided a doggy diaper pad so I’m not really expecting it to hold it while I am away! I will be working with the puppy every day to properly train and teach it what it needs to know and I believe that as it grows up it will no longer need to be “stored” in a crate while I am away. I will still leave the crate set up with the door removed so it can come and go as it pleases in case the den theory is correct. In fact, the crate I bought specifically says that door should be removed for adult animals. As the article pointed out, proper use of a crate is beneficial not harmful. Of course, this is also a living animal and most humans can barely care for themselves as it is.

What I find more cruel than crating:
Leaving the dog outside
Ignoring the dog
Overfeeding the dog
Improper or infrequent health exams
Poorly training or lack of training
Inexcusable behavior from children bordering on abusive

For those who insist crating is horrible and that people who do as much should own a goldfish I challenge them to provide a substantial argument where the evidence is more than, “How would you like to spend your day in a cage”. Please note this argument has been countered several times with the rational that Dogs >< Humans. Next time you want to argue that your dog should be treated like you I’ll argue that your dog is a welfare loving bum who needs to get a job and support himself (or maybe this really is you!). Get real! Dogs are wonderful living companions and they need to be put in their rightful place on the org chart. If a dog’s life should be as close to natural as possible then you shouldn’t be “owning” one as a pet. You should release yours back into the wild because natural dogs aren’t “owned” by anyone.

I would like to ask those that think crating a dog is cruel...and the ones who don't. I just aquired a sweet dog from a not so sweet family. Those people left her in a crate or locked in a laundry room all day and all night. I don't even think they played with her ever. She just went outside to poop and pee. Maybe they let her wander around the yard for a bit but then it was back in the laundry room. What is more cruel...that or putting her in a crate (not a travel crate but a large cage) for morning.. then she gets a walk at lunch time( i am lucky i live close to my work)...then back in the crate till I get home at 5:30. And then I walk her again. I am doing this until she gets used to me and my home ( i have had her 5 days with the first two I spent all day with her). I do put her back in the crate at bed time. Since I don't sleep much...I know that she is sleeping fine in her crate. In her crate she has water, toys, a rawhide thing (or some kind of treat to naw on all day if she wishes) and some of my clothing (so she has my scent all day with her). So am I being cruel or do you think that she would be better off with the unfriendly family that she lived with for 11 months? Hmmm?? Or maybe you haters would think she would be better off at a shelter. There is a reason that I did a search about crating a dog but some of you all are really harsh. Get the facts...get a job. Or better yet share your fortune so all of us craters can stay home with our pets. Oh yeah...in a few weeks (after i have her spayed and recovered) I will be taking her to play outside with three other doggies...in a big yard. They are outside for 8 to 9 hours. I bet that will throw you haters over the edge.

i adopted my english bull terrier from a local dog rescue. she had a few problems when she first arrived 1 of them being that she could not settle if i went out and shut her in the kitchen( which to begin with was for an hour max) she would howl and bark chewing and scratching at the door i decided to buy a metal dog pen rather than a cage. it has her bed in there also toys and water. the pen takes up most of my dining room but it gives her the extra space. the door is always left open at night and when im at home. if i go out then i shut her in and for a max of 4 hours. she is walked for half an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening she is a lot calmer now when left alone. ive worked hard with training her to be a well mannered happy dog its taken nearly a year to achive this . if you work and cage your dog then you should arrange for a friend, dog walker or family member to come in and let your dog out during the day if its not pos for you to do it in your launch break. i think that cages can be cruel if the dog is locked in there for more time than it is out. as for some people saying cages are for people who are house proud or to lazy to train there dog. . im not house proud and im not to lazy to train my dog either i used the pen to help me train my dog to cope with being on her own. for the past month i have not shut the door when i go out and she hasnt chewed or howled so i think that i can now put it away.

ok, I have a 10 month old beagle/corgi mix that has been crate trained. To those of you saying it's cruel to crate a dog and that those of us that do are house proud and lazy. First the mix of dog I have is one of the most stubborn breeds to train. We work with him all the time, but he is nowhere near trustworthy enough to leave out all day while we are at work. Especially since we also have a cat that he needs constant correction to leave alone. Not to mention she knocks stuff down on the ground that he shouldn't have access to. Next, I am not house proud, but I really can't say I am a fan of tv cords, rugs, or furniture getting chewed. Not to mention eating the batting or foam out of a couch could kill or do extreme intestinal damage to a dog. So crate him where he sleeps all day or have to put him through a horribly invasive surgery where he has eaten something he shouldn't. Lastly, beagles are known for taking off after scents and having seperation anxiety. When a beagle suffers from seperation anxiety they are destructive and when they take off after a scent it is very difficult if not near impossible to recall them. So it's either sedate and medicate while we are away from home or put him in his crate which he has more than enough room to move around in. So for those of you that have the luxury of sitting in your butts all day at home, good for you, but don't judge those of us that have to work and are concerned for our pet's safety. Oh and also, his crate is right next to our bed and he is sleeping on a $200 down comforter that I was allergic to and couldn't use anymore. Yeah, he's so abused and neglected.

Dens do not lock behind dogs in the wild. They are used for shelter and are always open for the dogs to use when they need to and leave when they need to. All this justification from people who want pets on demand is a joke, with the den argument floating around so they can have a dog when they want to, lock it away when they want to, AND not even have to feel guilty about what they're doing.

The "den" test is pretty simple. Do you leave the crate open like a den or closed like a cage?

I had my 2 month english bulldog puppy in a big open crate. Too big..The second day home alone it climbed out. He poohed and peeed inside, so I put the crate in a spare room and left it open so he would do his business on the floor(hardwood easier to clean). Now i'm tired to cleaning up after him and when I let him out the spare room, he will still sometimes pee and pooh in the living room instead of running back to his den. Soooooooo I got a small crate. He has just enough room to breath..and I he held his bowels all through the night! He better hold it in till I get back from work too (10 hrs later)

I had my 2 month english bulldog puppy in a big open crate. Too big..The second day home alone it climbed out. He poohed and peeed inside, so I put the crate in a spare room and left it open so he would do his business on the floor(hardwood easier to clean). Now i'm tired to cleaning up after him and when I let him out the spare room, he will still sometimes pee and pooh in the living room instead of running back to his den. Soooooooo I got a small crate. He has just enough room to breath..and I he held his bowels all through the night! He better hold it in till I get back from work too (10 hrs later)

Unfortunately, cleaning up messes just goes with puppy ownership. Very few 2 month old puppies are physically capable of "holding it" for more than 2 to 4 hours. Stressful potty training can lead to behavior problems. At that age, he is just a baby and will need lots of patience and training to insure he grows into a well behaved pet with a stable temperament.

My puppy survived 10 hours without pooping in his crate!!! He really doesn't want to soil his den!! But he isn't in a rush to eat now, so I have to walk him, then feed him, then walk him, but that is better than him sheeting everywhere inside.

Some people should not have dogs. I know one person who keeps her dogs out all winter in her yard while they work. Another one keeps her dog in a crate inside all day. Another has a toy dog she rarely even lets go outside period. Another one would leave her dogs alone for days and let someone just come by and take them out to do their business and make sure they still had food and water. Some people are clueless when it comes to dogs and should not have one. Their cruelty and ignorance about dogs is astounding to me. Perhaps they shouldn't be sold without written directions? Maybe vets have to ask more questions and help "enlighten" these dolts?

Tried & True. I once had an aversion to crating my dogs until I met a neighbor who introduced me to it.

I ditto the user below's comment made on March 4, 2009: "I would never crate a dog. There is such a thing as quality of life. If I had to be created 9 hours a day, I'd rather be dead. It would be worse than being in prison. If you can't keep your dog in a dog run or in a safe room, get a gold fish. These are highly intelligent life forms, they do not like being left alone for hours in an area were they cannot move or have to hold going outside at your leisure."

I have a friend who keeps her large dog crated all day while she's at work, even though she has a large back yard, which is not being used for anything, and which could easily be secured for the dog. She lets the dog out for a few hours each day before and after work, and then puts her back in the crate at night. The dog has no water in the crate, and is forced to hold her bladder/bowels for over 8 hours. My friend claims it's for the dog's safety. My friend is a good, kind person and so it truly baffles me that she thinks this kind of treatment is acceptable. I get depressed every time I think about it, knowing how many other good, kind people unknowingly abuse their pets.

I had a friend who crated her brittany 12 hours a day. She gave it little or no food and water so it would not dirty up the crate. She never walked it as she was too tired when she came home. The dog was so hyper it was unreal. I thought it all to be animal abuse and even tried to report her but since she was not physically hurting the dog, I had no success. People are just too lazy to train their animals----crates are horrid. Would you crate your child if you were at work all day? Why an animal then?