The Benefits of a Crate

[ihartgonzo]

Crates are awesome! Crates definitely helped me potty train both Fozzie & Gonzo (and there was very few accidents, ever). They're awesome for dog sports. They're awesome for classes. They're awesome for traveling/hotels/camping. They're awesome for feeding Raw bones indoors. They're a beloved place for both of my boys to hang out & nap (with the doors open). They're awesome for keeping dogs out of trouble when not supervised.

I don't see crates as a form of confinement or copping out on looking after your dog or anything like that, at all! As long as they're used properly (and not over-used), crates are practically an essential tool in responsibly owning a dog. Stating that "they didn't have crates back in my day..." is totally irrelevant. You could say that about countless pet products that are very useful in this day & age, you could even say that about spaying & neutering! Times change, and so do people's lifestyles. I would much rather some one responsibly crate their dog when they have to leave for a few hours... rather than giving that dog free roam of the house or yard and ending up with a destroyed house, or a sick dog, or a lost dog.

Not only is the crate very safe as far as traveling & staying out of trouble, it's an awesome place for your dog to relax. Gonzo & Fozzie know that each of their crate's is their own, and they leave each other alone when one of them is in their crate.

 

[Road dog]

Not here to debate, won't tell the crate using folks they're wrong, so please don't tell me that I'm wrong. Just giving my 2 cents so readers can put together a picture of how a varried array of folks feel about this subject.

I don't use crates, never have, probably never will.

Reason: Personal preference and opinion.

Wish I had some long, in depth statement to add to the conversation, but I'm afraid that's it, cut and dried. Just don't care for 'em.

 

[ResOps]

Well I guess I'll add one to the yes column. We have used crates since I was a boy living at home and all my Shepherds have been crate trained as well. All seem very comfortable with them being raised from a puppy in them. Usually after the first year the door is never closed again, but the dog remembers it as her safe haven from the world when things get too hectic arouond the house(too many guests etc.).
I guess I would be in somes peoples bad books here because I have to work to live so as a new pup life begins in a crate. I am fortunate enough to be able to stop in daily to let her out and play for a few minutes at lunch and when I'm on the road After work she is the center of attention
Also an early riser so a walk down by the bay starts off every day.
I would love to have the luxury of staying home to devote all my time to raising my girl but the truth is that won't happen for many years. And the other truth is that I enjoy my time spent before and after work with my friend, so I knd of resent someone stating I shouldn't have a dog if I'm not there for 8 hours.
oops that ran on......
I use a crate

 

[bubbatd]

After having dogs since birth ...I now have a cage for the 1st time for Ollie. He's only in it when I'm gone and he can't go with me . He goes in when I put his toys and a cookie in it and is usually lying down when I get home .

 

[Melissa_W]

Kai is not crate trained. When we are gone, he stays in the kitchen. But, there are definitely times when I wish he was! Especially when we travel. He's probably going to have to be crate trained in the future.

 

[Brattina88]

I've been following this thread since it started, and for a minute or so I was extremely disappointed how some were making it personal and for a second there it seemed as if one side was attacking the other side I'm sorry I can't jump up and down and go 'Squee! I Love Crates!!' but at the same time I'm not 'crates are evil either

I'd like to think it's not a problem. To be so open minded I really do see and understand both sides! How can I choose? lol. Each individual dog, and situation is different.

IMO crating, like many topics related to dogs, behavior, or training, is Not Black and White, but Gray ;]

I think crates are good tools that are definitely an option if necessary. And yes I call it a training tool.
Ideally, it would be wonderful to never have to use a crate, for reasons that have already been exhausted here. It's not one of my first options, but it is an option. I'm glad that I don't have to crate any of my current dogs, foster or resident. Have I had dogs in the past that needed to be crated? Yes, and it worked wonderfully every time. I did not 'lock them in the cage for hours' or do it because I was 'too lazy to train' them. I was using it as a tool to train them!
Realistically sometimes they need to be used.
Not always.
Not Never

Thank you, and have a nice day lol​

 

[Saje]

Nice post brattina

 

[Whisper]

I agree, excellent post, Brattina.