I don't think it was cruel. I would have water in the crate, but I'm sure is no big deal to not drink water for one hour. The most important thing is that it worked and he is potty trained now so that you both can have a happy life together. Cruel would be if you had given up and returned him to the breeder what would have been the easier route.
It also took me a while to learn how to potty train my pup and it only became 100% when I started to crate her, from now on I will crate any pup I may add to the family. In general don;t give too much credit cruelty business (if you know you are a good doggie's parent), everyone I know who doesn't have an animal companion thinks that the crates itself are cruel, which they are not. Staying in the crate for an hour is nothing, and is part of the training process. |