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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom  No, I don't believe it's me. I followed my dogs' lead on crates...they're the ones who taught me about crates and being confined. When you put a living being in a confined space that basically fits them just so - and they proceed to cry and go nuts - that tells me to evaluate whether or not it is fair/right/ethical to *force* them into that confined space. I wish mine were okay w/ a crate, but they're not. Wylie especially doesn't do well w/ confined spaces - he once chewed through a baby gate  - I kid you not!
I hear of so many people here on YT (this OP included) FORCING their dogs into tight confined spaces - meanwhile being able to hear their dog's cries even from outside the house ---> and then they just keep doing it to them. Why is that okay, for goodness sake...? Bc it's convenient for us? Bc at the end of the day, that's really why most people do it/force it - convenience. For me, convenience takes a back seat when an animal hates being tightly confined.
I personally don't find it okay to do things to animals that causes them *extreme* distress. I feel that across the board, with all animals. If someone is causing extreme distress to an animal, then stop, and find another way. There is no good reason to cause extreme distress to an innocent, vulnerable animal who is at your mercy for their care.
For dogs who happen to do fine/well w/ crates - all power to you, go for it! However, if a dog cannot handle tight confinement...then no, I do not believe in tight confinement in those cases. |
No, it's not you. As you said, they are individuals. I totally agree with you and won't put my pups through anything that causes extreme distress. They are part of my family and I work with each one to see what works best.
I have pups who love crates and I have one puppy who hates it. She cried and cried and actually learned how to open crates. Once I left her in a room instead of a crate, she was a happy girl. Mind you, I never leave for longer than 5 hours max and that is not often. She just hates crates....I have another who is a foster who runs to a crate when I go out. She is a bit testy with my pups, so I would put her in the bathroom. She actually prefers a crate...when it is her time to be put up, she runs and gets into a crate. I have open crates all over...some love them..some don't.