To Crate or Not to Crate. That is the Question.

[hmeadq]

Thanks for the advice and concern.

Doc will keep in training for sure. WOW! Does it make a huge diffrence. And failure to play with/ run/ exercise him results in NOT nice things!

He still needs a lot of work. But he is getting better. i think

We will start with one of his beds in it, and give him cheese (his favroite! and maybe only let him chew on a pig ear if he is in it) make him know it is cool. Luckily my faince has off until Christmas so he can work in crate training without the pressure of having to actually put him in it in the next couple days.

Our trainer used the vet argument with us as well. It does make sence.

[laurlitt]

Most dogs don't do a heck of a lot while you're gone anyway... except for a bored puppy! I once left Blaise for the day in a room where he could cause no harm and left a video camera on him for 6 hours. He only moved once. He got up so that he could lay in the other direction. So why not have him in his crate where he is safer?

I have used a crate w/ my dogs since day 1 and wouldn't have it any other way. IMO (and many others obviously) it is the responsible thing to do for your dog/puppy. The dog isn't going to love you less for leaving him in a crate.

Other reasons why crate training is helpful. When they have to stay at the vets for any period of time and have to stay in one of their 'crates' the dog won't freak out (they are already stressed). If you even have to board or travel w/ the dog they won't freak out. A dog who is only crated when it's time to fly on a plane... now that is cruel... Let them know they are SAFE in their crate.

[RottyMom]

I have the crate doors open when I or someone else is home and often it's the place the dogs choose to go and lay down...sleep...take a toy or bone into etc. In fact Bear is right beside me now sleeping in his crate with the door wide open. It's hard to believe the first night he spent in his crate he was trying to break down the walls...crying...howling etc. It was quite the racket. My SO didn't think he was ever going to get used to it. I think it took about three days and he's been fine ever since.

[miccmill]

I think crates are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

#1 - this is my dogs den, comfort zone and she does indeed go when the house gets noisy or roudy.

#2 - Using the crate made potty training a snap!

#3 - Always a happy greeting for both of us in the morning as well as after work.

#4 - For a shy/fearful dog, this made staying at the vets office overnight no problem at all. She was already comfortable with the crate.

We raised a Doberman without a crate 22yrs. ago. There are just a bunch of obstacles to building your relationship with your dog that go away with a crate.

[Troy]

I find the crate one of the most useful tools in raising a dog. Of course it needs to be used responsibly.

[Judy Chrusch]

Originally Posted by Troy

I find the crate one of the most useful tools in raising a dog. Of course it needs to be used responsibly.

Amen to that Troy bc many times they are used inappropriately . My boy has been crated from day one and now at 4 years old he finally has the run of the house when we go away but 90% of the time when we come home we find him curled up in his crate anyway or by the coal stove bc he loves the warmth. He does get put in at bedtime bc he's much more settled in his crate and sleeps better. You'll find that they love their crate and as Troy said, as long as they are used responsibly .

Judy