I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’ve got the feeling that more and more people are using crates (other than for travel). For instance, locking them in the crate while they’re out to stop them from destroying things, to prevent accidents in the house, or for toilet training because dogs don’t like to go where they sleep, locking them in at night... anyway, I wanted to know what you all think. Are you for or against using a crate and why? Do you think it’s a good or a bad method? Is it actually useful or not?...
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I’m against them... well, I suppose I did have to use a crate for my cat once, but she had a fractured pelvis. Two months without coming out, but there was no choice. Aside from car journeys (and even then, mine sits next to me on a harness) and serious injuries, I don't see the point of them. Who would want to be locked up like that?
Margot69, as far as I’m concerned, even though I’d never use a crate myself, I’m not going to judge you. From what you’ve written, you must be one of the few people who uses this method in a healthy way. I think that, like me, most people on here reacted negatively because of how often they are misused.
- As a training tool, it treats the symptoms rather than the causes. The dog might stop being destructive, but we stop asking ourselves why they were doing it in the first place. And when it comes to house-training a puppy, it’s really not fair to physically restrict their need to relieve themselves beyond what is physically normal for them.
- Have a look at our animal welfare laws and the minimum amount of space a dog is legally required to have for its living area to avoid it being classed as neglect. Well, with a crate, we’re a long, long way off that...
Hello everyone,
At the risk of putting my head above the parapet and sparking some strong reactions (as I’ve seen on various forums), I’ll admit that I’m in favour of crating, provided, of course, that it’s used in the right way.
I don’t think dog owners who use them are lazy or don’t care about their pet’s needs (there probably are some, but only a very small minority).
In my case, my dog – a very active and athletic eighteen-month-old – is crated during the day when I’m at work or just out and about.
Even though she is perfectly house-trained and obedient, she destroys absolutely everything when I’m away and messes on my sofa and my bed...
She used to be in a total panic whenever I left her home alone.
Three months ago, I finally bit the bullet and bought a crate – a really large one where I’ve put her bed, her bowls and her toys.
The crate stays open when I’m there; my dog sleeps in it and uses it for her downtime, and I only close it when I go out.
Now, when I get home, she’s calm – the hysteria is a thing of the past.
Alongside this, she obviously gets her morning walk and an hour to run through the fields during my lunch break between 12 and 2 pm.
Crates aren’t the enemy; they don’t make a dog unhappy if they’re used properly and introduced into the dog’s daily routine in a positive way, rather than just being used as the easy way out.
I mentioned 8 hours because those are the usual working hours for most people! If I'm out for longer, my sister pops round and lets them out into the garden 😉
Sirius is a Doberman type. I tried to add him to my profile but the photo is upside down :( I’ll try to fix it, huff. He’s not much to look at, the old lad, but he’s my dog so I love him just the way he is, all scruffy and wonky 😁
The guy who sold him to me is an importer. All they care about is the money. Whether they’re selling pots and pans or dogs, it’s all the same to them! Sirius was the last one left—I think he’d been trying to sell him for months but nobody was interested, so yeah, he was definitely neglected...
Over the last few days, the shooting and the strong winds have also stopped us from getting out for our walks, but despite my dogs being the active types, they know how to stay calm in the garden and the house... Jj
Greeeeat weight, you should’ve mentioned that in your first post. Okaaaaay, why did you mention 8 am then? It’s true that’s the usual time. I’m with you on walks being a pleasure; my Champagne is 2 as well and he cracks me up with all his funny little expressions. Except for those two storms we had one after the other. Even though I’m Belgian and based in Brussels, we definitely felt the "effects" lol! All day Sunday and today as well. You didn't say what breed or cross your pooch is?
And that bloke actually dared to SELL you a dog that he’s apparently never looked after? He’s got some nerve, that one. You’re right, go for it. Obviously you’re not a celebrity, so things don't move as fast and there’s no media coverage. I take it he didn't have a vaccination record? Gigi
Sending love Mamaelfie, hi Wieges. Using a dog crate is nothing but laziness to avoid taking them out. When you decide to get a puppy or a dog, you usually know that they have to learn things, especially being house-trained and going out in all weathers. And being fed. You know perfectly well how many hours you work. Do you not have any kind neighbours who could walk him at lunchtime and around 4 pm? You admit he already comes from a place where they were locked up; don’t put him through what he dreads most, otherwise, being left alone and crated, he won’t just be anxious and panicky, he’ll end up completely shut down. How old is Sirius, please? gigi397
Don’t panic, read my message properly! I have never crated my dog while I'm out! He has access to about 430 square feet with my other dog!
As for the accidents... well, given his past, he wasn't house-trained at all, so it’s the same process as with a puppy that’s only a few months old. Sirius is nearly 2 now, and I’ve had him for 6 months.
He didn't come from a shelter or a rescue charity; it was a private rescue... I bought him off a bloke who sold him to me smelling foul, skin and bone, and terrified, not to mention anaemic 😠 Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, no rescue has taken an interest in my case... but I’m not losing hope, I’m still trying 👌
In my previous post, I was talking about his past, not his present (which consists of forest walks and lounging by the fire).
Also, I’m not working at the moment, and in my last job I wasn't away for more than 6 hours (it is a lot, I know, but when I get home, walking the dogs isn't a chore, it's a joy)...
Lots of kisses to Tity and Bob. A crate is fine for transport or—though I hope you never have to deal with this—if he’s coming back from an operation and needs to gently wake up from the anaesthetic. They need a quiet corner then, but don't lock the door.
Anyway, I certainly wouldn't praise that rescue for their care or lack of affection; if it was a private individual it would be even worse, it’s called animal cruelty. It should be reported, and the same goes for the rescue if that’s the case. Every rescue has a vet, so that one must be useless. Every animal has a right to respect. In Belgium, we have a Minister for Animal Welfare and they actually take action. They’ve closed down two slaughterhouses for slaughtering animals without stunning them first. But that department was pretty much forced into it by petitions—one had 900,000 signatures and the others are never under 100,000. Mr Hulot had a Ministry for Nature, I believe, and when people wrote to him about the wolf culling, he didn't even lower the quotas. RUBBISH. gigi397
Hi there!
I’m against it too, but I guess it depends. I’ve gathered that a crate can be used as an indoor kennel, and in that case, why not? If it stays open and the dog can have some peace, then it’s fine. Plenty of nervous dogs hide under tables anyway, as it's a small, covered spot that feels safe.
But using a crate just for some peace and quiet? No, I don’t agree with that. It’s the easy way out and it doesn’t actually solve the problem; you just end up going round in circles. Besides, what’s the point of getting a dog if you’re just going to stick it in a crate?
Not much more to add to what’s already been said: I’m in the “open crate” camp because I’ve got a nervous little girl who likes being in an enclosed space. If used correctly, I don’t see why you shouldn't close it, sparingly, at the right time.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that people who do that really know what they’re doing!
