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Originally Posted by lara2913  Well, I don't like them because dogs are not animals that do well caged in small spaces IMO. I would rather spend longer potty training them and not have to put my puppy in a cage. Puppies in crates still need to be taken to their toileting area as much as ones who have free rein, crates don't magically expand their bladders, like people think, they just force puppies to hold their bladder/bowels for longer than they should by abusing the fact that dogs don't like to mess in their beds.
When I bring a puppy home I am happy to have them in my home and make the sacrifice to puppy proof as many areas of my house as possible in order to keep them safe and happy.
Crates are often used as a 'quick fix'. For example, puppies chew things, so if you put him in a crate he will stop chewing things he shouldn't simply because he can't. Whereas I would prefer to look at it with the approach, 'how can I stop him wanting to chew things he shouldn't?' So instead of preventing the behavior by putting him in the cage you you could think about whether he needs more interesting toys such as filled kongs, buster cubes, activity balls etc as well as perhaps more stimulating exercise and play.
In my experiences some crated dogs over time become insecure with being left on open spaces, kind of like agoraphobia. Which explains why they run to it to sleep in, when you go out, when they get scared etc. People assume its because they like the crate, but perhaps its because they have been inadvertently taught that this is the only safe place.
I would rather teach my dogs that the entire house is their safe area and teach them to respect the whole house and how to behave in all areas of the house. This can be done by puppy proofing one room for them to go in when you are out, gradually extend the space they can be left in until they have either a large area, or even the whole/most of the house. You will never have a dog who behaives in your house if you do not give them the chance to suceed. If you set them up to fail (by leaving things around that they could destroy or by crating them), then they will.
I think the ultimate question is that, who is the crate for, you or your puppy? I am under no illusions that it is for the owner, as it makes it easier for them.
JMO, and what works for us. |
Hmm. thats interesting.Maybe its over use in a crate that you are talking about. I do not believe that they should be in crates for long amounts of time. I will be able to be home with Jeter I am a stay at home mother so he will mot be spending long time frames left alone or crated up.
My mom used a crate for her girls but she only used it for sleeping. She has the doors open for themand they are free to the whole house, they do not act scared. She is also able to be home with them as she does not work outside the home. they will hide a toy or treet in it now and then but they realy seem to like their crate.Nost likely it is because it was not over used.