Is Crate Training Cruel?
I have always believed that crate training was the
way to go especially if a pup or dog is
destructive and going to be left alone for short
periods…a friend said she was a dog breeder and
thought it was cruel…what is your opinion,
please
Marilyn
Bossier City, LA
When it is done correctly, crate training is not cruel.
The purpose of a crate, when used for training, is to provide a safe haven for a dog or puppy. Confining a canine companion in a crate is one of the most effective ways to house train him. It also protects him from chemicals, electrical cords, chicken bones and countless other household hazards when no people are home to watch and protect him.
Crates should not be like prison cells. They should be comfortable, welcoming environments. A properly prepared crate will be viewed as a private den by its occupant. Many dogs willingly retreat to their crates when they want some alone time, or if a disruption (toddler birthday parties come to mind) occurs in the house.
To help ensure that your dog is happy in his crate, follow a few basic rules. Never use the crate as punishment. Leave the door to the crate open when it’s not in use, so that the dog can enter it if he pleases. Limit each confinement to a reasonable period of time. Choose a crate that is appropriately sized (dogs should be able to stretch, stand up and turn around in the crate). Keep comfortable bedding, water, and safe toys in the crate. Finally, consider feeding your dog in the crate–that’s a sure-fire way to create a positive association.
You have questions. 
Crates are a nice shelter for a dog when you will be gone for a couple hours. A safe haven from visiting children. We feel better knowing she is safe at home and on long trips.
We like the Wednesday dog show. My favorite dog is Star.
If only more people would realize this…
My Sheltie mix loves his crate. I feed him in there too.
My GSD has never had a crate, we’ve had her for a long time and didn’t know much about dog training/behavior in general when we got her, let alone about crating.
Crate training as I understand it is very pleasant for my dog…how do i know this, when we are home and he is trying to get a moment he goes into the crate all by himself and lies there.l It is his safe place away from things and the fact that he often chooses to go their himself helps me carry on with the crate training. We were encouraged in this by our trainer who only teaches positive training.
Good luck.
No, it is not cruel, if you do it correctly. If you put them in small, unopened crate with no space to wander just across, it will result in bad. Put a water bowl, and a food bowl into the crate, large or small - large if the crate is big enough, and small if the crate is small.
Leave it to open spaces, put toys in there, but do not give her any of YOUR personal belongings, as well like a small carpet, a rug, or anything else. Put one, only ONE of their belongings in there - and it will result to GOOD. If they are destructive as in tearing up carpets, rugs, your personal belongings then do not put anything in there, not excluding water bowls, food bowls, and their own toys. If that results to — such as, tearing up their toys, and everything - do not harass them, for it will only do bad. Because - it will, if it is one of their own belongings, they will think, that they can’t mess around with their belongings.
Come back to the crate/kennel, if they have not torn or have caused any mishap, let them out of the crate - if they cause mishap in your home again, put them back in the crate. Do this repeatedly and praise them each time they succeed.
Good luck!!
I’ve had 6 dogs in my life so far, and none have been crate trained. They’ve all been wonderful and none of them have been a nightmare in terms of bad behavior (chewing, mistakes etc). I believe it has to do with my patience and fastidiousness in training, constant praises and rewards, and my general relationship with them. Any mistakes were dealt with in the same way a kid’s punishment would be - time out. My dogs knew the time out corner well.
In terms of a crate being it’s safe place, to be perfectly honest, after being in a crate long enough, I think it does not have a choice but for it to become a comfort zone. I feel it’s a ‘coerced’ comfort zone.
Each of my dogs have had their own spaces and comfort zones. Each were very spirited, lively and sensitive - yet their natural specie instincts have not been compromised.
From what I know about crating (from friends who have tried and told me), I’ve deduced one common thread in all of them - no one had the time nor patience to correct a mistake, or even wanted to risk dogs making mistakes. They felt it was easier to just control the dog into submission through crating. That’s the general consensus - SUBMISSION.
I believe dogs should be dogs, and should be allowed to make mistakes - and punished for them with time out. That’s what healthy owner-trainer/dog relationship is all about. Makes for better mental development IMHO.
I have a question. I currently have a 9.5 week puppy and we have been using his crate for bed and when we’re not home. He has gotten used to the crate at night and will sleep quiety for a solid 7 hours now. But during the day, while we are away at work, he soils (pees) the crate and cries/barks/whines incredibly loud. We try to make the crate a fun happy environment with chew toys, blanket, etc. We never use the crate as punishment and we made sure he only has enough room to turn around and lay in his crate.
In other words, we’re doing everything by the book, but he absolutely hates the crate, during the day. He will not go in the crate voluntarily either. We have to pick him up and put him in it.
He is only left in the crate about 2.5 hours max at a time and we consistently take him outside before and after being in the crate. There is also no food or water in the crate. At lunch - he is so upset from being the crate that morning that he’ll barely eat his lunch.
I just want any advise on how to make him more at ease while he’s in his crate during the day and to not soil the crate during the day (he never soils it at night, while we’re asleep). Do I just need to be patient?