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

[hmeadq]

Crating, I don't want to do it! But yesterday we were gone for 8 hours (longer then usual because a snow storm made my commute home 3 hours!) and he destroyed my favorite pair of hundred dollar shoes which I thought I had put up out of his reach. I freaked out a little and yelled (screamed really) at him even though I know that chewing shoes is my fault because I gave him the chance, and he his still learning his puppy limits. He hid under the table and came up to a couple minutes later to "apologize" by which time I had calmed down, because I knew he probably did not know why I was yelling at him and I was yelling not "Correcting."

But we said when we got him we did not want to crate him. "Why have a dog if you cannot handle a few things getting damaged, and if you are going to lock it in a cage all the time?" But now it is looking like a much better idea. We would let him continue to sleep on his bed in the bedroom, because he stays in his bed no problem all night. But to lock him at 6 months in a cage for 6-8 hours 4-5 days a week!?! I just will feel so guilty! Isn't there another way?

But I am also concerned that while we do let him on the couch (after he "asks" permission) we do not ket him on the bed. Yet I know he sleeps up there when we are gone, because I have caught him laying there with the cat. So what is that teaching him (if anything) about his "place" in the "pack."

Is there anyone who has successfully trained with no crate, when they had to leave the pup alone? Is there anyone who was anti-crate who is now pro-crate? or the other way around? I know everyone does it now. And our trainer wants us to do it, but if nothing else won't he be CRAZY with Puppy ZOOMIES when he gets out of the crate after being in it for 6 hours?

[majicka]

I was completely anti-crate until I met my labX Brazen. I had to go away on a biz trip a few weeks after we adopted her. My husband had to work during the day and would come home on lunch to let her out.

He came home one day to my entire bookcase shredded, a (thank DoG) unplugged lamp plug eaten, sunglasses, remote, whatever she could get her mouth on totally destroyed.

Upon my coming home and seeing the mass destruction, I went online and read and asked every question I could come with about crate training. That night we bought a crate. Granted, I worked from home and she didn't need to be crated a lot, but we still had things to do outside of the house. Having her in a crate gave me the peace of mind knowing that SHE was safe and so were my things.

Both my pups that I have gotten since have been crate trained. I can leave my house knowing there will be no fights, no destruction and that everyone is safe and secure.

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

But to lock him at 6 months in a cage for 6-8 hours 4-5 days a week!?! I just will feel so guilty!

Ask yourself THIS................what if it were kitchen cleaner he had gotten into instead of your shoes.........How guilty would you feel walking into the house to find a dead dog?

Crate while you're not there, your dog will sleep and be let out when you get home.

[Judi W]

I'm sure the dog would prefer to be crated than to be yelled at by a maniac.

[SonnyRott]

Good questions....and I'm glad you asked.

I was anti-crate before I became educated through this site about 2 years ago. I had never crated a dog and thought it was a cruel form of punishment if overused (and I still think it is...if overused).

After spending hours pouring over this site, I decided to try it with my current puppy (he is now grown). I started from day one and it has changed my way of thinking.

As with everything else you buy for a new puppy, a crate is an invaluable tool which later turns into a lifesaver for reasons other posters have mentioned. Do a word search on this site for "crate training" and you will find all the information you will ever need to know on how to go about this successfully.

My dog is free to roam the house now. The crate had everything to do with this. He can still go in it if he chooses, and sometimes he does. What are the real benefits? There are several:

1. It made potty training effortless.
2. If you plan to attend dog shows you will need to crate your dog at some point.
3. It keeps the dog and your valuables safe.
4. It affords you a place to put your dog when small babies or frail relatives come to visit. Not everyone likes dogs.
5. It is a safe way to transport your dogs in your vehicle.

There are just so many more benefits. And even if you don't plan to use the crate for the majority of the dog's life, get him used to it as a puppy, and you will always have the option of using it when necessary. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

[hmeadq]

I admit when I got home yesterday I was a bit of a maniac!

I had "One of those days" at work. My commute had lasted 4 times longer then normal. I left work at 3:50 and got home at 7:10. At times it was all I could do to keep the car on the road and to see where the road was. My fiance' was supposed to be home with the dog after he left work at 3. But the traffic was so horendous he stopped at the mall to hang out for a while, so even though he was much closer to home then me I got home first.

So when I got home and found my shoes I went over the top. But normally I am not that way... Really

[Rotty4Me]

just to echo some of the ideas already presented, whenever I run into those that are "anti" crate, I ask them to think of it as protecting their dog more than the belongings in the home. Dogs can get into & destroy anything. If they ingest something foreign or a hazardous material, they could be gone in a heartbeat. Or run you up a massive vet bill. It's really not much different than a play pen or a crib for an infant. It's for their protection. Crates are not punishments or evil tortures. You can put your boy in his crate with a nice bone or chewy or something to keep him occupied. I would never leave a puppy loose in my home unattended, ever! My husband & I used to work long hours are one point not long after we married. Our 2 dogs were crated about 10hrs per day while we were gone. We made sure they were walked morning & afternoon when it was not the dead of winter & on weekends we took them to wherever we could to let them run. You'll see, it will work out fine. Your boy will adjust, you will have peace of mind & all will be safe.

Maureen

[Judi W]

As well as the safety issues, it is the relationship with your dog that suffers. Being angry with a young dog for behaving like a dog is not only counter-productive, it is truly damaging to the the deep relationship and destroys the trust the dog should have in you to behave as a proper master. Think about whether you prefer to feel a bit of guilt about crating or finding your belongings destroyed and your dog cowering. Easy decision to make.

[dmoniz]

My dogs are excited whether or not they are in their crates when I get home. After playing and eating they usually all lay down with something to chew.

[hmeadq]

OK. I've been coveinced. We are going out tonight to pick one up. He has been trouble on the hoof the past couple days! My fiance' called today, he had collected eggs from our chickens, and they were sitting on the counter. He went downstairs to sort laundry and when he came up 7 eggs were gone!

Anyone know if raw eggs are OK for a dog... UK!

[Canadianrotti]

I love the crate and so does my pup!!! we started her in a crate from the day we got her and it helped us with house training and kept her safe while we were out of the house.

Dogs are den animals and as such like to have a place to call thier own. If the crate is their own spot, then they will choose that place over your sofa or bed. I felt crates were crule as well at first, untill I realized that she is safer and happy to be there.

She will even choose to hang out in her crate if the other dogs are around, or she just needs a quiet place to relax.

IMO, a puppy and a crate go hand in hand, you cant have one without the other.

If you do decide to use a crate, do a lot of searching here on how to do it right. There is more to it than just putting you dog in there and away you go. You need to have it be a good experience for the pup, and if you do it right they will love you for it.

Good luck.

[sophie's-mom]

Raw eggs are fine, but 7 will probably give your guy the runs!

HAHAHA, sorry, but that's FUNNY!

[C Ross]

I have a rescue with issues; he loves his crate. When family life gets too rowdy for him he heads to his crate. My other dog is not trustworthy when left alone, so the crate is an absolute must to keep him safe.

Another reason to at least train a dog to accept a crate: if he's ever seriously ill or injured he will be crated/caged at the vet's office. The injury or illness is stressful enough without the added anxiety of the crate. If your dog is crate-trained then the caging at the vet is not a big deal.

Christine

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I'm sure the dog would prefer to be crated than to be yelled at by a maniac.

Exactly.

Julius is now allowed to have access to the house while we're gone. Not the whole house though because he would have too much fun trying to eat the comforter in our bedroom. He's two years old & still gets crated from time to time when we leave for a longer period. He has no qualms about going in his crate. He knows that there will always be a biscuit thrown in for him to nibble on, fresh water & a tasty Nylabone.

It's nice knowing that he's crate trained for travelling or if we had to stay at a hotel & he needed to be crated!


Brooke

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

OK. I've been coveinced. We are going out tonight to pick one up. He has been trouble on the hoof the past couple days! My fiance' called today, he had collected eggs from our chickens, and they were sitting on the counter. He went downstairs to sort laundry and when he came up 7 eggs were gone!

Anyone know if raw eggs are OK for a dog... UK!

Also something to take into consideration, a crate should not be a place for punishment. A crate should not replace DAILY exercise and training. My dog would not be the housemate that he is without a minimum of 2 hours of exercise per day, plus training.

1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening work well for us. Many times the hour turns into 2 or 3 if we stop to smell the roses along the way!

A bored dog is a troublesome dog.