"Keep reading and studying to improve your trade."
Wise advise, I hope you practise what you preach.
"I have more sources than I can count that suggest it is not only unnecessary, but abusive."
Sighting sources isn't impressive to be quite honest when it comes to things of this nature. They're all well and good for people to read, but unless you've personally gone through and practised these methods for YEARS on VARIOUS dogs of VARIOUS ages and sexes and circumstances, you can't realistically offer proper advice or recommendations on anything but what you've experienced yourself. Not what someone else is telling you to do from a book. How could you possibly promote something that you have NO IDEA is a load of crap, or is actually legitamite? I'm CERTAIN that there is a book out there that promotes the "best" and most humane and effective way to train your dog. And you would completely disagree w/ it. Someone else on the other hand may swear by it.
So, site away, please do. I'm sure it'll make good reading to someone, somewhere.
I agree that I don't know everything, but experience has brought me to know that you are absolutely wrong in thinking that in many circumstances to crate your domestic dog is more detrimental than to let it run freely in a larger area. There are more risks (not just mentally, but also physically) to do this, than to crate your loved one.
Honestly, that right there tells me your experience level. Not what you are able to copy and paste from the internet or some book. Hands on is where the true knowledge comes from. And MANY of those authors that you have sighted really only have limited experience in what they're writing. They may site themselves as being in the practise for X amount of years, but in reality-for example-they're counting more years in than they actually spent on "that" subject.
You should write your own book. It would be just as competent and well versed as a few of those other authors. I never said I did/did not read those books, but I am familiar w/ the authors and that's all I've got to say about them!
Your opinions are yours, as mine are mine. We come from two very different worlds on this subject.
If you feel it's inhumane to crate a dog, that's fine.
I will continue to advise what has worked for me and my clients on a consistent basis and for myself...that's really what it's about-CONSISTENT RESULTS and happy owners and well adjusted dogs.
