I agree that there is a fine line between using the crate for training and the abuse of crates. On the flip side, the pounds are also full of dogs that have been crated too much and who engage in bad behaviour because of pent up energy, and are subsequently put in the pounds.
The crate could have been used as a "tool to prevent such behaviour," not using the crate because you don't want to do anything to actually prevent such behaviour.
The line, I think I would draw is this: if kids put plugs in their mouths, you would teach them not to do it, or you'd keep your plugs where your kids can't get to them. Same thing with dogs. I would not lock my kid up in a room because he might tangle himself in a bra that is hanging on the bathroom door handle. I think the alternative is to either not hang your bras there anymore, or teach the kid not to do it. At some point, you're gonna have to leave your kid home alone and trust that you have taught the kid enough and that he will be responsible, and trust that you have taken enough responsibility to make your home a safe one for a child. Same thing with dogs.
And that...is the second question. at what point would you let your dog out of his crate when you're not home? if you can't trust your dog or yourself for having done everything possible to teach your dog right from wrong, why do you have a dog?
Just as having kids is a responsibility, having a dog is a responsibility. There is a bottom-line level of care that every dog and every child deserves. What upsets me are dog owners who do not reach that minimum level of responsibility...I mean with kids it's not always a choice to have them or not but with dogs it is a choice and I just want to bring up the topic of where we, as pet owners, draw the bottom line of responsible pet ownership. |