Crate Training A Dog

[Seawicket]

What are you're opinions on this?

I recently got a puppy. (New Years day actually, what a great way to start the year!)
We decided to crate the dog at night, it's gotten quite chilly and he needs the protection of the crate.
I posted a message on Craigslist, pretty well asking if anyone had a dog crate the wanted to sell.
I got an email saying that I was a cruel person to put the dog in the crate; that it was inhumane.

So I wanted to know what you girls' opinions on this is?

 

[AriaStarSong]

I'm not a big fan of crates... but it depends on the dog, the crate, the owner, and how and why they're crated. I personally think that alternatives to crates should be sought if at all possible, but sometimes, it's not an option. My best friend had to crate her dog for a few weeks after she moved because he has separation anxiety. If she had left him lose in the house (she's renting a room in someone else's house) he would have destroyed something. He has done this before. After a few weeks, once he was used to the new routine, they were able to slowly work up to him being loose in the house by himself during the day.

You need to make sure that the crate is an adequate size for the dog. Preferably, get one bigger than the dog needs. Train them to accept the crate gradually, don't just throw them in it for 8 hours at a time (I'm sure you weren't planning on doing this). Try to make the crate a positive place, if at all possible. I dog-sat for someone who's dog got a treat every time she went in the crate, and it was left open in the house throughout the day. Randomly, she would go into her crate, lie down, and then look at you. It might mean giving them a lot of treats (choose smaller, healthier treats) but it makes the crate a positive place, not somewhere that they get locked when mommy doesn't want them anymore.  

[whatagirlwants]

crating a dog is not animal cruelty in and of itself. however leaving the dog in the crate all the time and ignoring it is. So is putting a dog in a crate that is too small. You dog should be able to stand up with at least an inch over her head and turn around completely. Also if your dog doesn't like the crate don't force it. put a soft pad and some food in there and leave it open all day. If the dog wonders in close the door but do not lock it to let it get used to the idea. The crate should be a place of comfort and it should be easy to get your dog in there. If you doesn't like it maybe try a dog house for the purpose you want to use it.  

[Seawicket]

He's got quite the set up. I've put a nice bed down, a couple small pillows. We leave the crate open during the day, and at night as well. It's mainly somewhere he can feel safe and warm.

He's doing quite well with the crate actually. He's so cute.  

[Azusanga]

I am 1000% for PROPER crate usage. Leaving it open during the day when you're there, yay! Leaving it open at night when you're not there to monitor them, not as much. Crates are not to be used as forms of disipline, but as a place to be safe and happy. All of my dogs will be either room or crate trained. If I can afford a house large enough, and my dog is too large to fit into a crate, I'd have no problem making a crate for him in the corner or something, or giving him a room that he's to retreat to when I leave.

My cousin's dog had SEVERE seperation anxiety. Her and her boyfriend were then renting a condo, and whenever the dog (they owned a cat too) was let loose when no one was there, it would chew EVERYTHNG up, as well as pee all over the house. They had him crate trained. The first time, he chewed the plastic bottom of, and they found it in the kitchen, where the top was in the bathroom, on the other side of their space. He wedged his head in between two bars, and choked himself while my cousin went to go grab some groceries (she got him out in time). The worst was when he bent the bars on the crate back and wedged his head in, but this time when he tried backing into the crate, his eye popped out. he no longer has vision in that eye. They hired... 4? different specialists/trainers to help them conquer Hunter's (dog) anxiety. Nothing worked. They later moved to a huge, 2 level house with like 3 bathrooms and hell knows how many rooms. Since they no longer had a limit, they could get more animals. They got another cat, no change. They got another dog, and the change was monumental. Hunter had no more anxiety, and happily trotted around the house.

The point of the story is, anxiety is NOT cured by a crate. Several methods are needed before the final diagnosis.  

[Short Melancholic]

Yeah I'm against crates when you lock your dog up at night, but leaving the door open sounds awesome. But the idea of them being traped in there... not so much  

[tai-lerr--x]

as long as you dont have to FORCE the dog into the crate every night. make it feel comfortable for him/her. it would be a good idea to leave the door open too so that it could get in and out if it wants, so its not locked up in there. but id completely understand having a cage or something to help it keep warm.