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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Hiya Mamaelfie, hey Wieges. Using a dog crate is nothing more than laziness to avoid taking them out. When you decide to get a puppy or a dog, you usually know they have to learn things, especially house-training, and that you have to take them out in all weathers. And feed them. You know perfectly well how many hours you work. Don’t you have any lovely neighbours who could walk him at lunchtime and around 4pm?
You admit he already comes from a place where he was locked up; don’t put him through what he fears most. Otherwise, left alone and caged up, he won’t just be anxious and panicked, he’ll be completely shut down. How old is Sirius, please? gigi397
Hi everyone,
Like most of the people replying, I’m definitely against it! This is because the majority of people who use crates do it the wrong way...
When it comes to being destructive, Sirius is a proper pro! He’s a bit of an anxious dog and panics easily. Even with my other dog there, he’s managed to cause quite a bit of damage, not to mention the accidents he’s had indoors.
I could have taken the easy way out and crated him while I was away, but given his past, I think he’s already spent far too much time in one. In fact, when I rescued him, he had no muscle tone and suffered from growth deformities due to being kept still for so long and being underfed. That’s an extreme case, of course, but most people just see a crate as a convenient way to "get rid of" the minor inconveniences of owning a dog for a bit.
Plus, it’s just too easy to lock a dog or puppy up for 8 hours a day (the average work day) just to save yourself ten minutes of cleaning up a mess or dealing with a bit of chewed-up furniture.
For anxious dogs, yes, a crate covered with a blanket or tucked away in a quiet spot can be useful, but only if the door is left open. The dog will choose to go there to feel safe in a confined space without it being forced on them.
Sirius, for example, loves the spot under the stairs. It’s dark, cosy, and out of the way. He’s still caused a bit of damage here and there, but he’s definitely improving!
I’m for it, as long as we film for a few days to make sure the pet is completely relaxed during their stay.
We don’t want to see any signs of anxiety, distress, or learned helplessness.
We want to see them moving around freely, able to stretch their legs, keeping themselves busy in a productive way, or resting without looking miserable or restricted.
And in my opinion, that’s easier said than done. But if it works? If we can be certain? Then why not.
If we just chuck a dog in a crate because a dog trainer gave us the green light, and base our opinion on the two or three minutes we spend watching them before we leave... if we tell ourselves "right, he seems calm" and just assume he’s been like that all day? Well, then we’ve got our heads in the sand—if not up our backsides—and in that case, I’m dead against it.
I used to be against crates, but we’re thinking of getting one for our dog. I reckon, as a few people have said further up, it all comes down to how you use it. She’s got her own armchair and a bed, but she often tends to sleep under the furniture, and when she was a puppy, she used to sleep in the cat carrier. So, I’m thinking an OPEN crate could be a really good sleeping spot for her.
A crate is just an object; the problem is how it’s used. If it’s used to shirk responsibilities and mask underlying issues, then obviously it’s going to harm the dog.
That said, there are definitely situations where a crate can be helpful rather than harmful. For instance, in an open-plan home without doors, it’s hard to separate the dog if necessary. Another example: a very nervous dog might feel much safer in a small, enclosed space than if they were left to wander the house alone, so there are uses for managing anxiety and so on.
But the point is, outside of very specific circumstances, a crate should never be used just for the owner's "convenience", and certainly not for long periods. So, I’m definitely against the whole "crating" trend, that’s for sure.
Overall, I see so much nonsense going on these days that nothing surprises me anymore. We’re always hearing stories about Chihuahuas pooing on "puppy pads" (the irony!) and poor dogs locked in crates all day long simply because they NEVER get the chance to burn off any energy and end up becoming destructive...
My role models for dog training (my aunt and uncle) use a crate for house training puppies. Since it's also the puppy's bed, he goes in there of his own accord. They shut him in at night and get up once during the night to take him out in the early stages. After that, the crate is never closed again; it's just a safe haven for the puppy (and the dog he becomes) to go and relax. I'm all for using a crate this way 👌
I reckon it’s just a trend that’s come over from the States.
Most of the time, it seems like a shortcut for lazy owners who think it’s a way to avoid the chore of taking their dog out enough to burn off all that excess energy.
If we’re talking about owners who are doing their bit but still have a really destructive dog, then fair enough, as long as the time they spend in there isn't longer than a decent nap.
Personally, I’m against it, but there are exceptions. If your dog is anxious, putting them in a crate at night with their toys can be comforting and help calm them down. It gives them a space of their own where they can retreat to. However, if it’s just to stop them wrecking things around the house, I’m against it. For one thing, you just shouldn't leave stuff lying around during those first few months, and you need to train them. They need to learn that being alone isn’t a punishment and that they have to respect your things. Believe me, with patience and a bit of tact, you’ll get there. The problem with crates is that people find them far too convenient, and dogs often end up spending way too much time in them. As soon as they’re being a nuisance, as soon as the owners go out, as soon as they’re being punished—straight into the crate! A dog isn’t meant to live shut away in a box that's barely bigger than they are. You just need to TRAIN them. My dog has one in the car because I think it’s safer for both him and us. But I’d never leave him in his crate in the car if I’m not there; if the car got stolen, he wouldn't be able to move.
