Crates

[Laura]

We keep the pups in cages, the little 2' high, they are 4'x4'. When Zowie was about 6 weeks pregnant, they began fighting horribly and we had to buy a new cage for Bronx. They sleep in 1/2 crates in their cages with food, water, puppy pads again as Zowie started having accidents lately. They are safe there, no one to step on them on the way to the bathroom. They run loose all day, but usually go back to their cage to sleep during the day. We are not training them, that is their bedroom.

[yorkiegirl2]

as a matter of fact if i had crated my 7 year old when she was young.maybe she would not still go in the house. i know she know better and she get to go out often because i'm home all the time . but she still does it. she does have the run of the house but the other do not and they are good about not potting in the house when they are out. so go figure..lol

[myfirstyorkie]

I have and do use the crate occasionally. When I first got Amber I would crate her at bedtime I did this until she was able to hold her potty in all night. Once she was able to do that I now let her sleep with us in our bed. I do keep the crate in the house still and I always leave the door open to it. She has free access to her crate all day long. She comes and goes as she pleases in it. She loves her crate. I will also use the crate if my son has a friend over that I dont trust with her. And she does not mind me putting her in there.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

Originally Posted by lickthestar

And as for negatives related to crate training, here's what Warren Eckstein, who is a pet expert has to say about it:

http://warreneckstein.com/pettips_caging.html

In addition, the ASPCA talks about crate training, but the emphasis there is on "training" not the "crate" part. Note that any reliable articles out there that talk about crate training always have a qualification "when used properly." And, they all talk about using a crate in certain situations, not all the time.

I, for one, appreciate the article and information on crate training. I am here to learn and to get different opinions on different issues. This thread is called "crates" so to "move on to the next subject" will not happen on this thread. Anyone is free to leave this thread at any time. It is not of benefit to this forum or anyone to refer to someone's authority on a subject as a "quack" and to refer to his opinion as "crap". This is the type of name calling and negative behavior we want to avoid on YT. It is this behavior that I find offensive, not the expressions of true opinion. Lickthestar has been direct and definitely has an opinion but I have not found what she has said to be offensive.

[SoCalyorkiLvr]

I researched him and I think you will all agree that he is an "expert" on this subject. I am not saying you have to agree with him but he has 25 years of experience as an animal trainer and tworked with over 40,000 pets! Definitely not a "quack".

About Warren Eckstein

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warren Eckstein is an internationally known pet and animal expert. Warren developed his unique approach for understanding animal behavior by combining different techniques learned and observed while working in Southeast Asia and Europe. He has devoted over twenty-five years to teaching both pets and their people to live happily together through his unique "Hugs and Kisses" approach to animal behavior, care and training.
Warren has worked with more than 40,000 pets including those of many well known celebrities. David Letterman, Cheryl Tiegs, Lily Tomlin, Geraldine Ferraro, Al Pacino, Rodney Dangerfield, and Phylicia Rashaad are just a few of many whom Warren has helped with pet problems.

Warren Eckstein is currently the Pet & Animal Editor for NBC's TODAY show. For the more than fourteen years, Warren was the regular pet and animal expert for the national television show "LIVE! WITH REGIS AND KATHIE LEE."

Warren has also been seen weekly on "The Discovery Channel" and youngsters are familiar with Warren from his appearances as the "Creature Keeper" for the Disney Channel's "New Mickey Mouse Club."

Warren hosts his own syndicated radio show, "The Pet Show With Warren Eckstein," which is heard on top-rated WOR Radio in New York and is syndicated in scores of markets nationwide, in addition to Canada. He also hosts a similar program on top-rated Smart Talk KRLA 870am Radio in Los Angeles. As a pet therapist, Warren dispenses pet behavior and psychology advice during his call-in shows. Consequently, he's been nicknamed "The Dr. Phil of Pets."

Nationally, Warren has made appearances on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Good Morning America, 20/20, Current Affair, Hard Copy, E!, Life Styles of the Rich and Famous, and others. Warren has been featured in People Magazine, Time, USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Family Circle - the publications are too numerous to list!

Over the years, Warren has worked with virtually every type of animal. A "hands on" animal expert, Warren is equally comfortable backpacking with llamas, being in the water with dolphins, or working with puppies and kittens. Well known for his unique "Hugs and Kisses" approach with pets, Warren specializes in resolving behavior problems by teaching people and animals to communicate, so pet and owner may live happily ever after.

Warren created quite a stir in the pet world with his book Pet Aerobics. In fact, his book, which advocates exercise programs for healthier and better behaved pets, earned him a four-page spread in People Magazine.

His amazing life and career with animals led Random House to ask Warren to author his long-anticipated autobiography Memoirs of a Pet Therapist: A Tail All Book released in September, 1998.

Warrens book How To Get Your Cat To Do What You Want, published by Random House, appeared on The Book of the Month Club's Best Seller List. Its success led to its reissue in paperback.

How To Get Your Dog To Do What You Want, published by Fawcett Columbine, continues to be a best-seller.

His books The Illustrated Cat's Life and The Illustrated Dog's Life, also published by Fawcett Columbine, have been published in 10 countries.

Warren has launched a pet product line with Warren Eckstein's Hugs & Kisses vitamin and mineral supplement / treat for dogs and cats.

Warren's total dog care video, "Our Owners Are Driving Us Crazy! has been helping dog owners coast to coast to improve their relationships with their four-footed best friends.

Warren founded the Hugs & Kisses Animal Fund, a not-for-profit organization, in memory of his wife Fay who died in 1990. Its mission is to fund hundreds of small animal organizations across the United States, and to be a resource where other help is unavailable. He is also a 10-year member of the Board of Directors for the Bide-A-Wee Home Association, the nation's oldest no-kill charitable humane organization.



www.ThePetShow.com
www.WarrenEckstein.com
All material on this website is Copyright 2004
Web site design & production by Henry Murray iHenry.com

[Laura]

The first time I had a Yorkie, I had babysat him over christmas for my sister's friend. As it turned out, he gave him to me because he was so nasty. He always went to the bathroom in his cage. Luckily for me he gave him to me. He was 3 pounds and 3 years old. KJ (killer junior) we called him. His previous owner was going to school and working two jobs and kept him in the cage all the time. He finally realized that he did not have time for a dog and that KJ was not nasty but neglected. I found him to be perfectly housebroken and a wonderful addition to our family.

[bkessler]

Originally Posted by Neecy

I don't use the term "crate training"...I "crate" her..its just how it is...she sleeps in her crate at night, she gets into it on her own when shes sleepy, I close the door to it, I also close the door to my bedroom at night, I like it that way...keeps the boogey man out

I agree.... I say I am crating Mocha... If I didn't crate her my place would be a mess.. She would probably kill herself too... She is chewing on cords and wires and already has one accident falling 15 feet off of a ledge and she almost fell off a chair last week (i didnt think she could get up on it but she did)... I don't think its cruel to keep her crated, I think its actually helping her.. I notice I crate her at night when she is sleeping.. By the time she barks around 3:15-3:30 to use the potty (her crate is completely dry).. She goes on her pad and I put her leash and harness on her and hook her to the door knob with her bed and she then stays until 6:00 when i get up for work.. Also, i keep her crated during the day with water (no food) but plenty of water and she seems content... I take her out as son as i get home and she has the run of my living room, kitchen and dining area when i am home... I think she seems like a happy dog and I don't think its bad at all

[Laura]

I do think it is a personal matter, what your household is like. We have a two story house and had to keep a baby gate on the stairs for at least the first six months we were here. They did not seem up-stairs wise. I also have two teen boys and their friends to worry about - front door and all. Zowie doesn't go out, but if Bronx gets a chance, he runs like the wind and scares me to death.

[yorkiegirl2]

Then i quess we agree to disagree...I don't agree with what he says

[Maddie-Rudy-Mom]

It all how they are raised. I bought a crate with Maddie and had heard great thing about raising a puppy with a crate. It lasted 2 days. Then came along Rudy and I pulled out the crate again, it only lasted one night. I have a crate for sale. lol. Now with Polly I got a playpen and when I am not home she stays in it. My furbabies have the run of the house all the time. When I feel Polly is ready she will have run of the house and I will have a playpen for sale too!

[ingallsra]

Originally Posted by lickthestar

OK..

Think about what you're implying, "My house is so fragile that I need to keep my dog in a cage." And the next question is why do you have a dog if your house is so fragile? Why don't you have a bird? Would you crate a cat?

And at what point is crating no longer training, but keeping your dog in a cage? To put it another way, when do you expect the "training" to stop?

Maybe you've never had a destructive dog, but in the past I have. I, for one, can't afford to be replacing the things I have. My house is by no means fragile, but neither am I wealthy enough to replace my belongings on a regular basis. Most responsible and intelligent pet owners also realize that true training and learning never stops.
I don't crate my cats--they aren't destructive. You can't compare cats to dogs. They are two different species after all. My horse occasionally stays in a stall--is that being cruel? I'm sorry, I'll leave her out in storms so she can be struck by lightning, or out on 20 below days so her ears can be frostbitten off. Dogs are den animals--they like to feel protected. If an a dogs owner feels their dog needs to be crated for a valid reason, then stay out of it. Why do you feel the need to be rude? Voice your opinion on crates, but don't be juvenile about it. We are adults here, and we need to act like it.
Since you feel the need to "interpret" what other people are saying, it seems you are implying, "People who crate their dogs because they believe it is the best thing for them under the circumstances don't deserve to have dogs."
Wow--ignorance must truly be bliss...

[Itspuppyluv]

Don't forget the donuts.

[Connie]

I crate my dog for her safety...I don't want to come home to find an injured or dead dog. I know she feels secure and safe in her crate because she will choose to go in there at times on her own and she always goes in with enthusiasm when I tell her, "Kennel Up." When I am home, she is not in her crate unless she chooses to be.

So you found an "expert" that is against crating. I'm sure I could find more than one "expert" that would be for crating, but I'm not going to waste my time. It seems that you asked for opinions, but yours is the only right one and you aren't going to budge until we all agree with you.

[Lady of Yorkies]

We have 13 people in our house and my least expensive Yorkie was $450 and the prices went up. I don't have a fenced yard and if one of them gets out and into the road, not only have I lost a dear love, I've lost a lot of money. If one of my babies gets out by themselves that baby goes into a crate for a time out. From the outside of the door all the way to the crate he/she hears "bad dog, don't go outside, stay in the house," all the way to the crate. If they poop in the wrong area of the house (we have 2 areas for pooping), they get shown the offending accident and told "no, no" and depending on how old they are and how well potty trained they either go into a crate or (if they are young) put on the paper and told "use the paper". I've said "Use the paper" sooo much I feel like I'm saying "Use the force." LOL Sylvia

[Itspuppyluv]

Originally Posted by Lady of Yorkies

I've said "Use the paper" sooo much I feel like I'm saying "Use the force." LOL Sylvia

LOL Sylvia

I can't believe how many times I've said, "Today, Gus." He has to find the perfect place in the yard to go. It keeps moving on him.