I am one of those that beleive that crating is a "good thing". It was recommended to me to crate Millie during the day when I was at work. This was recommended by a certified professional dog behavioralist. But she did recommend the crate with the walls, not the wire cage type crates.
It worked! Millies was perfectly fine in the crate for 9 hours. Never pottied and slept until we got home.
I think the crate does make them feel secure. When they have free range of the home, before they are ready for it, they look at this Gigantic "den" that is their home, and they feel that they have to protect it. This becomes overwhelming for a small dog. When you confine, them, you are limiting what they need to protect and you are also making them secure in that they are protected from anyone getting to them.
I think crating them, when you are not home also creates good behaviors. They learn how to act when you are not there.
Thats my 2 cents, based on my personal experience. I'm an advocate and do not see it as inhumane, but actually, just the opposite. |