Dog crates/cages

AuntieE

escaped

Here

When I was a child I had a dog and cat that shared the dog kennel.

I just don't get this crate idea - to me it seems like cruelty to animals.

If a dog, or for that matter a cat, cannot be trusted not to wreck things while you are out, surely an outdoor dog run with a warm kennel would be better.

Or perhaps reconsider the animal's training, or whether you work to many hours daily to keep a pet?

I wouldn't leave my dog out in the garden because I don't think that is a good option for the neighbours, let alone the dog. There are all sorts of noises outside which will make a dog anxious for their territory. My cats do have a run with housing outdoors but only if there is no work going on by builders around us as that makes them anxious.

AuntieE If you had read all of the replies you would know that most people responding on the thread do not use crates to stop the dogs doing damage.

Nanny27

If a crate is used as a sanctuary for the dog with the door always left open, then would someone please enlighten me as to the difference between that and a regular dog bed

Of course, it’s because a crate is enclosed, mine has a blanket over his, which mimics the sanctuary of a den. If you think of foxes, wolves etc. it’s a similar safe place for the dog. He has two other beds, one in the lounge, and one in the kitchen, but his crate is his favourite.

escaped

Here

When I was a child I had a dog and cat that shared the dog kennel.

I just don't get this crate idea - to me it seems like cruelty to animals.

If a dog, or for that matter a cat, cannot be trusted not to wreck things while you are out, surely an outdoor dog run with a warm kennel would be better.

Or perhaps reconsider the animal's training, or whether you work to many hours daily to keep a pet?

My then very anxious immigrant mongrel loved the crate l prepared for her, it was in the corner of whatever room we were in and covered with a blanket. It seemed to be her safe space whilst she gained confidence,she particularly liked sleeping in it at night. She'd been used to hiding in small spaces so the crate was a similar option. I guess it took her two-three months to decide the sofa was a better option and she's preferred sofas ever since. I'd never used a crate with previous dogs (I've fostered many) but the charity recommended it for her and their advice was spot on. From the anxious scrap she was,cage is now a confident terrorist terrier. Loved to pieces like all the other dogs I've been fortunate enough to share my life with, all rescues.

buy a larger crate than you may think you need and it will fit under a kitchen worktop/ breakfast bar , you are wiser to reduce the size if you are getting a puppy by putting in a large cardboard box with the blank side nearest to the puppy, like a wall. This makes the dog feel secure. also a mattress type of base to fit the tray in the floor of the crate or even one a bit short, so if you wanted to leave a drink there you could, but you can buy clip on water bowls which means it doesn't get knocked over. At my previous house we had two large dog crates for our beagle and Irish red and white setter. It was a big kitchen and the crates were under a worktop protected from draughts by the wall behind with a unit to one side and a fridge freezer to the other. They also had blankets over the top of the crates if it seemed too cold at night and it was also a signal that it was bedtime. They felt secure in what we referred to as their baskets. If I had to go out I just said "biscuits and baskets" and they went straight into the kitchen and settled into their baskets with a biscuit. They were safe and could not theoretically cause or come to any harm. One slight problem eventually was that the beagle who was very clever, managed to get the door open on his basket and would then let the setter out of his by pulling on his base blanket to push up the lever on his door. Apart from the setter chewing up one of my shoes that I should have put in my bedroom, they didn't cause any other problems. When we moved to this house we created a little dog room off the kitchen with a gate across half way up the door way. It had open dowels so that they could see me work but couldn't get under my feet. They also had a radiator in there. We also adopted a cocker spaniel. The setter was quite large so we got a mattress maker who made beds for nursing homes (with a heavy waterproof covering) to custom-make a mattress to fit down one side of the dog room, so that the setter and the spaniel who adored each other could share that and we had an individual dog bed for the beagle who only snuggled on his own terms and preferred his own sleeping space. The mattress was easy to clean and they had blankets if they wanted to use them. there was also a radiator at one end of the mattress so they never had to be cold. We didn't use the crates at this house but the dog room served a similar purpose and they always went in there if I was cooking. We never left them for longer than four hours, at most. We have lived in the country at both houses and my husband took them out for an hour's run across the fields and by the river first thing in the morning. During the winter when it was still dark in the mornings they all had flashing light collars so that could be spotted running around the fields. They were very much loved and I suppose they had quite a pampered life. I would use crates again if I was starting out with puppies, as they get older it is not totally necessary and they will sleep if you go out. We are elderly now and while I would love one or two older dogs , my husband likes being the centre of my attention with no children or dogs here anymore and as I have dodgy knees, the walking would mainly be his job. But I do miss having dogs. I have lots of interests though which would have to be curtailed if we had dogs again. I wouldn't mind that but we would both have to be 100% in agreement. I know I could pursuade him to change his mind but it would not be fair really. We do have an annual treat of having my daughter's spaniel to stay while they go abroad on holiday and that is lovely.

Our dogs were kept in the back of our estate car which had a metal grill which stopped them jumping over.
Same here. That made me smile, because I was due delivery of a new car on March 1st this year, and the day before that they phoned me to say they hadn't got the dog guard, (which I had ordered last September). I politely said, "No dog guard, then no car, just cancel my order." Miraculously out of nowhere, I now have a very posh upgraded dog guard in my new car! (At no extra cost!) 😁

If a crate is used as a sanctuary for the dog with the door always left open, then would someone please enlighten me as to the difference between that and a regular dog bed

Just wanted to add, that in some of the above statements it was said that the dogs really did like to be in their crates so that's a good thing too!

Supposed to be for training only. I hope this makes sense as I did not read much of what is above this. Crating is important for puppies but only for house-breaking and reducing separation anxiety. Our last two dogs were crate trained and they were both wonderful when it came to being house-broken quickly and never had separation anxiety. Puppies in the crate only at night and while you're out on brief sojourns. NOT good 8 hours while you're at work! After the house breaking, crate was never necessary. Hope this makes sense.

With regard to those who think putting a child in a play pen is cruel. I think you need to meet my youngest granddaughter- her parents bought a play pen so she stayed safe whilst they cooked, she could see them and they her. She’s now two and asks for the playpen to be made up as she then includes her dolls pram, cot her table and chairs and invites us to joy her in her house for a tea party.

Our dogs were kept in the back of our estate car which had a metal grill which stopped them jumping over. They refused to get into any other car, they had their territory and would happily travel safely in the back. We had a cage in our dining room which they both shared until the older one died after that our dog moved to the half landing were she slept that way she could see all the comings and goings. She used to come into the lounge when visitors arrived and would only leave once she was satisfied her family were safe.

That's a very good point, icanhandthemback. If your dog should have to stay at the vets for any reason, at least you know they won't be more traumatised by having to be crated.
And sometimes it is for their own safety too. I have a friend whose Spaniel would chew through electrical cables if left to his own devices, which could have proved very dangerous indeed.

I acclimatise my dogs to closed crates because if they ever have to go to the vets for an op or extended stay, they will be used to them. I also use one in the car so the dog is completely safe; I also don't have to worry about a wet and muddy dog spreading it around the car. It is an ideal way to house train a puppy over night and will keep it safe until it learns not to chew electrical wires or things which will harm it. I didn't just stick my dog in a crate. I spent time acclimatising them to it so that they learned to love it as a place they get treats.
It is a great place to as a safe haven from kids who have learned that when the dog is in its crate they are to leave it alone. Our dogs have loved their crates and I get really irritated by people who automatically think it is cruel or lazy without making any effort to understand the reasoning behind them.

My daughters dog liked her door shut. We tried leaving it open but she would come out, woof and stare at you pointedly and go in again. She wouldn’t settle till the crate was closed (though the door could always be opened with a push anyway)

Like I said before she got tired of the stupidity of human and learned to close the crate fir herself with her paw. Her space!😬

If a dog shows they like to have their own space, away from the family sometimes, then shouldn’t they have one? Does it really matter whether it looks like a crate or a bean bag or a cardboard box?

I had a GSD who used a crate. We called it "your den" and he went in willingly when asked. or of his own accord. The door was kept open except on one occasion when I shut the door. He objected so strongly he injured his teeth struggling to get out. When he had to stay at the vet's he went into the cage there when I asked him, but I stayed beside him in the vet's back room as much as I could(The Vet was an understanding man). The vet told me he never stopped barking when I was absent.

I tell this story to show that shutting a dog in a small wire prison is unkind.My GSD was a strong ,very intelligent dog so please let him speak for all dogs: to keep a crate as a den is good to keep it as a prison is bad.

Cossy

Lathyrus3

Surely being strapped to a seat in a car is more constricting than a pen where the dog can change position?

The seatbelt we use is slightly Elasticated, our dog can easily change position, sit or lie down.

Ours lies in her hammock on the back seat with a duvet and her favourite bean bag. The restraint doesn’t stop her from being comfortable!

Ours like the security they offer loopyloo.

A sensible post foxie .

My son was 13 months old when I had my daughter and he was already crawling everywhere so he went in the playpen while she was fed.
Only way I could manage safely.
Think some dogs like the security of crates.

Cossy

Honestly, cruel to put a dog in a cage, cruel to put a child in a play pen!

Putting reins on a child cruel?

All of the above are safety measures, not putative.

I always put the “baby” into a play pen, with some soft toys and a blanket, whilst I did the ironing in the same room.

Exactly my point. Surely it is better to take these safety measures rather than risk injury or worse?

Oh thanks. I’ve never seen one so I had a different vision 🙂

Lathyrus3

Surely being strapped to a seat in a car is more constricting than a pen where the dog can change position?

The seatbelt we use is slightly Elasticated, our dog can easily change position, sit or lie down.

Honestly, cruel to put a dog in a cage, cruel to put a child in a play pen!

Putting reins on a child cruel?

All of the above are safety measures, not putative.

I always put the “baby” into a play pen, with some soft toys and a blanket, whilst I did the ironing in the same room.

Surely being strapped to a seat in a car is more constricting than a pen where the dog can change position?

Is putting a child in a cot cruel?

NotSpaghetti

ViceVersa

So is putting a toddler in a play pen cruel then?

Yes!

Really? I've never used either, but I would have thought if it was being used for safety reasons, it was quite sensible.