[♥ ~Animal Whisperer~♫]

I know! The only time I put Skippy in his crate is when we take him to the vet because he gets nervous and runs all over.

[ryan miller]

well.. for me, I don't want my puppy to go and pee all over my carpet, cause she pees like sixteen thousand times a day. I let her sleep elsewhere in the daytime, but at night I put her in there because then she won't wreck the house when I'm sleeping.Also, it's a place for her to go when I'm too busy to play with her. She's getting to know that when I put her in her crate she needs to sleep or just relax.I don't like to do it either, but it's what has to be done. I'm not a lazy dog owner either, I do love my little puppy, and it's part of training to keep them in their crate.

[Bexs]

The only time my doggie gets put in a cage is in the back of the car for his own safety and mine!. I don't want him rolling around. Other than that, no way - a cage is no place for my pooch..

[sherirenee1954]

A crate or cage is one means of training your dog. Some dogs will adapt, others will not. Most people use the crate when they are away from home and allow their dog the run of the house when they are home. Dogs were born with the instinct to have a "den" so the crate fulfills that instinct. It is supposed to be a secure place for them to go to whenever they want to. If you are lucky enough to have a dog that does not tear tthings up when you are gone to work, then don't use a crate.

[Poohbear]

Crates are a great housetraining tool. We have a GSD who was in a crate for his first 6 months. He now, has free roam, and has had no accidents or problems. But our JRT is now 6 years and she still uses her crate, which is only shut at night when we sleep. She will and does go poop in the night if left to free roam. If she is in her crate, everything remains clean. Just her way, and even if we leave for 3 or 4 hours during the day, the door is not closed, and still no problems, nightime is just a quirk of hers. Before anyone bans a training practice they should at least research it before making blanket statements about laziness.

[Susan S]

I used to think this was cruel too (before I knew better). There are many reasons you put PUPPIES in a crate. First it protects them from wandering around and hurting themselves. it creates a safe space to call their own and hide if it just all gets to be too much. It trains them to hold their bladder and bowels. And it's a safe place to keep pup for short periods when you can't supervise.A crate is not a substitute, nor is it ever intended for long-term confinement. If you make their crate a happy and safe place, some puppies will continue to use their crates on their own long after puppyhood.Trust me, there's nothing lazy about crate training.

[Bros before Does]

No. If you didn't pottytrain your dog it would repaint your carpet.If you trained it to not tear things it wouldn't matter if you came home once ina while but they can get lonely and play with them selves with the only toy they have, your furnituer. Wait till you think your dog i responsible enough

[Dollytot]

YES! it is,down right laziness and lack of patience too! The thought of my dog locked in a crate,is just unbearable! How on earth do they go out seeing the sad little face looking back at them through bars.If their pet is soiling the home or chewing the home up,then trainit properly.It takes time and patience to own the ideal dog.If you have to lock the dog in a cage all day because you are at work,or because of behaviour problems,then don't own a dog,get a hamster that can look after its self while you are out.Dogs are a family member,and should be treated as such!

[great dane]

Reading all these comments about crates, my view is that if you must have one, they should only be shut when used for transport. Dogs need space. I had a labrador for 15 years and I am glad that he was not caged once.

[ekleinert]

if it is young dog and being un supervised the crate is necessary - but if you are home watching it leave the dog the run of the house