Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Crate training misconceptions
My main aversion to crating dogs is people who misunderstand the process and lock them up all day in the cage while they are off to work etc.. Crating can be a useful tool but dogs are not meant to be left crated for extended periods of time.
I came across this article that I really like:
Should you Crate your Dog by Suzanne Hetts and Daniel Estep, Ph.D
Crates, portable kennels and airline animal crates all refer to the small plastic or metal cages that are used to confine dogs or cats. There seems to be some confusion about how crates are best used. We will attempt to shed some light on this controversial subject by addressing some commonly held beliefs.
1. Crating a dog is inhumane.
Blanket generalizations such as this are difficult to defend. It certainly can be inhumane if a dog is confined in the crate for many hours a day. Dogs need exercise and as social animals, they need social contact with other animals or people. On the other hand, when a dog is sick or in danger of injuring herself, a crate may be useful and necessary. Also when a dog is properly acclimated and trained to the crate, it can be a humane and useful tool to keep the dog out of trouble or to transport her.
2. Since dogs are "den" animals, keeping them in crates is a natural thing to do.
Wolves, the ancestors of dogs and even feral dogs will sleep in burrows and other den-like areas, but they don’t spend their whole day there and they can come and go as they please. Many dogs can be trained to sleep in their crates and will go into them on their own to sleep, rest or just to get out of the way when things are too busy or stressful for them. The den idea should not be used as an excuse to isolate and confine the dog for prolonged periods of time.
3. Crating a dog is the best way to prevent or stop housesoiling or destructiveness.
It depends upon what is motivating the dog to housesoil or be destructive. If the cause is fear such as separation anxiety or fear of thunderstorms, crating can actually make the problem worse. For dogs that are destructive out of boredom or for other reasons, a crate may be appropriate. However there are other ways to confine a dog that may be just as effective, such as using a laundry room, kitchen or other doggy-proofed area of the house. Even in these cases, confinement by itself should not be the only step taken to address the problem. For example, bored animals should be given things to do to relieve the boredom.
In housebreaking puppies, crates are frequently used to take advantage of the puppy’s natural aversion to soiling where she sleeps. Here again there is a danger in overusing the crate. Puppies kept in the crate for very long periods may loose the inhibition to soiling in it and cannot be properly socialized to the family or other animals.
As with most other tools, crates are neither inherently good nor bad, it’s how they are used. After reading this review, it may appear to the reader that there are actually more negative consequences of human-companion animal interactions than positive ones. This is probably not the case. It was simply decided to emphasize the negative aspects that are too often neglected in other reviews of this research area. This was done to point out that negative consequences can result from human-animal interactions and that to thoroughly understand human-animal bonds, both the positive and negative consequences must be studied and evaluated.
I came across this article that I really like:
Should you Crate your Dog by Suzanne Hetts and Daniel Estep, Ph.D
Crates, portable kennels and airline animal crates all refer to the small plastic or metal cages that are used to confine dogs or cats. There seems to be some confusion about how crates are best used. We will attempt to shed some light on this controversial subject by addressing some commonly held beliefs.
1. Crating a dog is inhumane.
Blanket generalizations such as this are difficult to defend. It certainly can be inhumane if a dog is confined in the crate for many hours a day. Dogs need exercise and as social animals, they need social contact with other animals or people. On the other hand, when a dog is sick or in danger of injuring herself, a crate may be useful and necessary. Also when a dog is properly acclimated and trained to the crate, it can be a humane and useful tool to keep the dog out of trouble or to transport her.
2. Since dogs are "den" animals, keeping them in crates is a natural thing to do.
Wolves, the ancestors of dogs and even feral dogs will sleep in burrows and other den-like areas, but they don’t spend their whole day there and they can come and go as they please. Many dogs can be trained to sleep in their crates and will go into them on their own to sleep, rest or just to get out of the way when things are too busy or stressful for them. The den idea should not be used as an excuse to isolate and confine the dog for prolonged periods of time.
3. Crating a dog is the best way to prevent or stop housesoiling or destructiveness.
It depends upon what is motivating the dog to housesoil or be destructive. If the cause is fear such as separation anxiety or fear of thunderstorms, crating can actually make the problem worse. For dogs that are destructive out of boredom or for other reasons, a crate may be appropriate. However there are other ways to confine a dog that may be just as effective, such as using a laundry room, kitchen or other doggy-proofed area of the house. Even in these cases, confinement by itself should not be the only step taken to address the problem. For example, bored animals should be given things to do to relieve the boredom.
In housebreaking puppies, crates are frequently used to take advantage of the puppy’s natural aversion to soiling where she sleeps. Here again there is a danger in overusing the crate. Puppies kept in the crate for very long periods may loose the inhibition to soiling in it and cannot be properly socialized to the family or other animals.
As with most other tools, crates are neither inherently good nor bad, it’s how they are used. After reading this review, it may appear to the reader that there are actually more negative consequences of human-companion animal interactions than positive ones. This is probably not the case. It was simply decided to emphasize the negative aspects that are too often neglected in other reviews of this research area. This was done to point out that negative consequences can result from human-animal interactions and that to thoroughly understand human-animal bonds, both the positive and negative consequences must be studied and evaluated.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on
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While we're talking about the proper use of a crate, it's also important to know that any area where a dog is confined, whether in a crate or not, should give the dog a view of things around him, and be as close to the center of household activity as possible. It is much more humane for a dog to be in a crate in the living areas of the home than to be closed up in a bathroom or anywhere he can't see what's going on.
With my first dog as an adult, back in the Stone Ages when I was 25, I was a complete idiot about these things. I thought a "cage" was cruel. Instead, I shut my puppy in the bathroom behind a closed door when I left her alone. By some miracle, she turned out to be a mellow, happy, well-adjusted dog. But I have felt bad about that ever since. Jack has given indications that his former owner may have done the same thing to him, and as a result, he will stand or lie in the bathroom doorway if I am in there, but he will not set foot in the room. Same with the garage.
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Permalink Reply by Allyson, Peri & Taquito on
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Oh yes, I agree. While I am gone, Taquito and Peri (dood) are in a spare room with the door open right off the hallway. I never close the door. Peri's crate actually blocks the door and she has a clear view outside to the golf course, trees, animals, etc...she can also see Taquito. At night they are in my room right next to our bed!
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Permalink Reply by GBK on
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I used to think crating was cruel too Karen when I didn't know any better :) Both of mine slept nightly in their crates till potty trained, and kept in the kitchen behind gates along with their open crate when we were not home. Now that they are grown I have two soft sided crates that are always left open(they prefer and chose these) in the living and dining room and they take turns in each. I had just told my hubby I was going to get rid of the smaller one since nobody seemed to prefer that one and before I got the chance to take it down, Buddy started using it again! Go figure, I always knew they could read my mind! Pups do have the run of the house and a doggy door.
They are also very convenient for traveling since the soft sided crates hold the scent of the dogs and your home. Buddy feels much more comfortable in competition as well when in the crate, rather than someone holding him when I need to do a walk through without him.
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Permalink Reply by Adina P on
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Strangely, Rosco did better when his crate was in my bedroom, door closed, lights off. Of course when I'd leave him for work...there wasn't any household activity to see anyway. But even if we were home...if he really needed to be crated, he did better away from the activity. But he was rarely crated for long stretches...I've been lucky to live about 4 miles from work and have a boyfriend (then hubby) who worked mostly from home. So at 9 weeks he'd get a break just about every 2 hours until he could hold it till lunch...and then every lunch.
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Permalink Reply by LuvMyAbby&Kaela on
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Karen said: "While we're talking about the proper use of a crate, it's also important to know that any area where a dog is confined, whether in a crate or not, should give the dog a view of things around him, and be as close to the center of household activity as possible. It is much more humane for a dog to be in a crate in the living areas of the home than to be closed up in a bathroom or anywhere he can't see what's going on."
I totally agree.
I can see by the responses that we all understand the proper use of crate and the proper process for crate training. But it has to be put out there because there are 1st time puppy owners who actually think they can put their puppy in there at 6 am when they head off for work or school and there she stays until 6 pm.! Unnaceptable. A sure fire way to get a psychologically damaged dog. It is amazing, but I personally know people who have gone out and bought a puppy, without reading up on the process. Educating oneself prior to the purchase is an essential part of pet ownership. Heavens, we are on our 4th dog in our lifetime and I still bought the books and read up on the latest this time around.
I had 2 dogs that loved the crate. And 2 dogs that had an aversion to it. The ones that hated it were only kept in it at night beside my bed with me (during the day I confined in a safe place in the house if I had to leave the house - until mature enough to have the run of the house) I also made sure I wasnt gone for more than 2-3 hours maximum. If I had to be gone all day I made arrangements with a neighbor to come get the dog etc...) I think doggy daycares are a fabulous invention! Since most people have a hard time admitting they are not in a right time of life for doggy ownership (ie if they are both gone 10 hours a day 5 days a week) at least they have that resource and in my opinion are morally obligated to shell out the dough to pay for it.
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Hopefully, new owners and better yet, people who are smart enough to do their research before they get a puppy, will read this. It's great that you started this discussion & as you say, put it out there.
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Permalink Reply by HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08 on
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I have always had what I refer to as an Open Crate Policy with all my dogs. Hannah started out with the Plastic type crate like Samantha has, she hated it, when she got the metal crate and her blanket was in it...she started going in and out on her own with no problems. It was her choice, quilts on the floor, my bed, or your crate...mostly she choose the crate, till recently she started sleeping in bed, but she also choose's to nap in her crate all the time. Honey lived in a crate for 6 months of her life before she knew what a home was. At first the crate was securtiy for her because she was scared to death of people. Now at night time she also chooses the bed, or the quilts, very rarely does she choose her crate, but she also gets into a lot of trouble over night playing shreky the shreeder, so sometimes I choose the crate for her and she is ok with it, she does not keep me up at night. When I leave to go out, I will tell them both to crate, and they go into their crates and no problems. Hannah is also starting to play games with Honey about the crates, she will steel Honey's crate and not let her in any, and it really is funny to watch them growl and play over a crate! They both hate the sweeper, they will both run into Hannahs crate being the larger one, and just look so sweet together. I feel safe knowing they are safe at home. If I am going to be away any lenght of time, they get to visit with family and their cousin dogs. We all do this with our dogs and they all love each other. Two days ago we had a horrible storm, I was going to go and hang out at the grocery store till it passed, than I thought how unfair that is to them, I stayed with them and was actually safer at home, the stores got flooded.
If your crate training a puppy...best to get a pet sitter from the start!
If you work 8hrs or more a day and you can't be with your dog....best to get a pet sitter!
If your vacationing don't rely on neighbors to be consistant in taking care of your animals, they mostly never are...best to get a pet sitter!
If your vacationing and your using a kennel for your dog, you are doing the same thing as leaving them in a giant crate...get a pet sitter, who will come several times a day.... some even stay overnight!
Screenign a pet sitter is as important as screening a Nanny or child care service..don't take it lightly.
These are my views ....
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Permalink Reply by Stella on
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Both of ours hate the crate with a passion. We tried to do all the right things - feed them in the crate, treats in the crate etc etc. Our older dog barely tolerated it and as soon as he was house-trained and stopped chewing on stuff we stopped using it. It sat empty in the kitchen, very occasinally he will go and lie down in it, but never for more than five minutes. We went away to a place that accepted dogs as long as they were crated if you left them in your room. We tried it and he totally freaked out, having pretty much a panic attack. Luckily the people at the B&B were understanding (we could hear him from the dining room - in a different building!) and let him come and lie in the dining room with us. We tried again with the new puppy, he hates it too. At six months old we are now beginning to leave him out when we are out for short periods. The only time he pees in the house is when he is shut in the crate - ?? stress? I can't wait until we can leave them both out together for longer periods. (We are pretty lucky that only once every couple of weeks are they left for a whole day).
But, I do worry about the fact that neither of them do well in the crate. I don't want to use it and am happy to leave them both out when we are not home. But, what if there is some sort of incident/ natural disaster etc, in that situation it would be good to have dogs that we could crate even if only for their own safety, or so that we could go to a shelter etc. that accepted dogs that could be crated.
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Permalink Reply by Adrianne Matzkin on
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That is exactly the reason I am 'pushing' getting Samantha used to the crate again. I just need to know that IF EVER, she will be comfortable being in it.
I hope that the all Doodle parents read this so they will know that even when the crate can be a part of the past, it really should refreshed often. Hey, you never know!!!
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