[Jess]

No. Its a training aide. If you can't be there 24/7 to watch your dog like a hawk, it needs to be crated. It helps training progress much, much faster, and it keeps your dog out of danger when you can't be there to watch it.

[stupidgirll74]

I thought the same exact thing. I thought it was cruel. The trainer explained to me that it protects the dog as well as your belongings. it could be possible for you dog to ingest something that could harm him or her. it also helps with bladder control. dogs will not mess in there den hence there cage. when forced to hold it the bladder will stretch making for better bladder control and assist in house breaking.

[karen h]

i hate the thought that dogs are being kept in the cages and cratesits just people being lazy and not training there dogs if they dont want the dog running around and being happy then they should not have a dog i have allways had dogs and they have allways had the run of my house and they are trained without a cage

[Sheltiemama]

I have already answered this post but I thought some of you would like to have a look at this link.

I know it's advertising a specific kind of crate, but look at the circumstances by where the dogs were spared.

Wachusett American Eskimos - Driver and Dogs Survive Near Fatal Accident

[jojo]

Not an excuse!! My dogs are crated for their safety while I am at work. If my house should catch fire the fire dept. knows how many and where my dogs are. My dogs are not getting into things that they shouldn't be in. They can not fight with each other! Did I mention that I have 4 that are inside! Sometimes there are people that come to my house (bug sprayer etc....) I know that my dogs are crated and can not slip out the door while he is coming and going doing his job. They have been crated trained since they were 5-6 weeks old. The gates are left open when they are not in their crates and quite frequently that is where you will find them napping or just observing and they can come and go as they please.There is nothing wrong with a crate when it is the right size and has adequate ventilation, padding..........etc. It gives them a place to feel safe. Would you leave a baby free to roam the house when you was away?

[claire rodgers]

Originally Posted by donna a

the whole point of the crate is to train your dog.

it depends on what breed ur dog is

[jramberg]

Using a crate can be useful to confine a dog during certain times. I do know that people are all too often abusing it though. I hear of people crating their dogs for 6 to 8 hours a day while they work. They tell themselves that they love it and are den animals that love their little den. Wild dogs do not lie in dens all day. The den of the wild dog is used to have pups and once the pups are old enough they leave the den and do not return to it but stay with the pack. Its as though they "put" their little novelty toys (the dog) away in a box during the day so its no trouble and take it out at night to be a dog. With training and patience any dog can be taught to not use the house as a toilet and to chew up inappropate things in the house. Many dogs are crated all day and then crated again at night, in my opinion this is too much time to be practically imprisoned, without proper exercise and stimulation.

[itobun]

i would like to say thank you to you guys, because this thread have so many great tips from very nice people.

[RL4422]

I have raised dogs for years. Some were crate trained, and others not. The ones that were crate trained simply destroyed less of the house and learned to go potty outside in half the time. I don't believe that you should crate your animals during the day while you are at work, and then again at night. The crate needs to be treated like a bed... for bedtime and SHORT occasional naps only. If you are unable to spend the other time with the dog, or give it a place outside to keep occupied I wouldn't reccommend getting one until you can. If you keep them in there for long periods of time they will develop all kinds of personality disorders and maybe even anger issues. My dogs love their crates. After all, dogs are den creatures by nature.

Imagine letting your children run wild in the house at night or while you were away before they were potty trained It could be dangerous for them as well as messy for you!

[VET-DOG]

a good vebsite: www.vt-dog.com