What's all this crate business?

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Parkranger

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We didn't use crates when my mum breed dogs years ago....when did it become the thing to do!

Be interested to know the benefits etc....obviously apart from having your house chewed up.
 
the reason I succumbed to getting one was mainly to be able to give the puppy somewhere to go away from our other two dogs for a break and a rest where he could be safe. As previously mentioned though, it was a dismal failure and all three of them liked nothing better than snuggling up anyway. The only thing he really liked it for was to eat in so he knew he didn't have to compete with the others. Other than that, the rabbits now use it outside for when I am cleaning out their usual runs!
 
I don't know when it became popular; a handful of years ago I guess. I hate crating puppies with an absolute passion. Hate it!

The introduction of crates have been used to abuse some puppies, by some owners, in my opinion. Some dogs are left in them for literally hours on end and I think that is totally and utterly unacceptable.

One of my puppies was crate trained by the owner. I did not like this but kept quiet as the puppy was no longer mine. However a few months later, when the pup was visiting, bizarrely the other puppies were also visiting on the same day, so it was lovely to see them all back together again. I noticed how all the pups had grown and matured and all of them were lovely specimens ... except the one who was crated. He was waaaay taller and ganglier than the others, he had no muscle, his legs seemed unco-ordinated and his gaits were nowhere near as fluid as all the other puppies. Thankfully I ended up with him coming back to me through no fault of his own. When I rehomed him, I was sooo lucky to find a farm home for him - he is now a working sheepdog. This was something I was absolutely adamant about, that he would never ever spend another day in a crate again; and he won't.

Why did puppy pens become a thing of the past? Puppy pens were the perfect option as they kept the pup from running into trouble when the owner was out, but still allowed proper growing and a little bit of exercise.

I never liked crates when they first came out - I hate them now they seem to be the norm. Hate is not a word I use lightly, in fact it is very rare for me to ever say this word, but I do where crates are concerned.
 
That's really interesting Tia as that was my uninformed view but now I'm thinking it may have some depth!

I would love, more than anything, to have a puppy, but I know that our lifestyle at the moment just isn't right for one - hence the reason we're sticking to a 1 to 4 year old rehomed dog.

My parents bred championship great danes (winning best of breed at crufts a few times) so I was always surrounded by danes and terriers and never once did we use a crate!
 
I have to say - I'm a vote for crating, but sensibly of course.

It helped greatly with many things, especially house training and when we were out he had somewhere to be with his toys and so (if he topk the notion to) he couldn't chew furnature etc.

Now he's far too big for his crate and chills out in the utility room, thiough his crate is still there with the door open. We still find him in the morning in (well, most of what fits) his crate.

However I do respect Tia's view, they are not somewhere to just leave your puppy when your fed up with them, or when they've done something bad. Good training is essential and there is no substitute for that, especially not a crate
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I foster dogs for a rescue. They come in all shapes, sizes, breeds, colours and ages. With various degrees of issues. I never used a crate before I fostered, but find them a valuable aid. They are not, and never should be, used as a substitute for training. They have unfortunately been used as a universal panacea for all problems, rather than getting to the root of the problem and sorting it out properly
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My fosters are never just chucked in a crate. They are trained to see it as their den - a quiet, safe space of their own. I do not have room for puppy pens - some of the fosters are rather large
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Stella was crate trained when I got her. I did use the crate overnight for a while, to reinforce housebreaking, but soon dispensed with it once we realised she would hold it, anyway; she never chewed anything, and she never barks, so I donated the crate to a shelter.

My SIL has a Jack/Border Collie/Basset. She is a serious chewer and a barker when left uncrated, and has already eaten thyroid medication/part of the sofa/a wooden stool and around the doorframe. Daily, she gets at least three hours of off-leash running and swimming in a lake. Does anyone have any ideas how they can make the transition from crate to free-roaming? The dog is fourteen-months-old. (Personally, I think she needs a strict walk on leash every day, a la Cesar Milan, to get her to focus, but I'd love to hear other suggestions.)
 
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My SIL has a Jack/Border Collie/Basset. She is a serious chewer and a barker when left uncrated, and has already eaten thyroid medication/part of the sofa/a wooden stool and around the doorframe. Daily, she gets at least three hours of off-leash running and swimming in a lake. Does anyone have any ideas how they can make the transition from crate to free-roaming? The dog is fourteen-months-old. (Personally, I think she needs a strict walk on leash every day, a la Cesar Milan, to get her to focus, but I'd love to hear other suggestions.)

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That is so similar to my Lab. We were given him when he was 5 months old as his owners couldn't cope with him. He came with everything he owned including a dog run (which he hasn't been in since we got him but is great for the chickens!) and a crate. We used it for a few weeks but found that if he was out of the crate he would never calm down but as soon as you put him in the crate he would lie down a go to sleep. He is still like this now, he never calms down regardless of how many hours we spend walking him or throwing balls. I do think this is down to the crate, he saw that as his bedroom so as soon as he was let out he thought it was playtime - ALL the time. He also barks a lot more then any of our dogs put together has and chews any thing he can get his teeth into - including our sofa too! The only time he goes in a crate now is if we are taking him in the car as we think this is a safer option then having him jumping all over the place.

I personally would never use a crate in the house again as I feel it has caused far more problems then it's worth, I can see how they would work for certain people/Rescue Centers tho.
 
Dante detested being in a crate, I do believe some dogs dont deal with the confinment at all and he got very stressed.

Jake was fine with it, I decided to crate as after just getting our house back to normal after Dante chewed our entire kitchen (severe clinical SA) I didnt want that happening again, plus with the size difference I didnt want to leave them together, so it keeps Jake safe.

Once Jake is fully grown I will let him have the option, he can either go in or out, the door will be left open. The maximum he has ever been left in the crate is 4 hrs, and that doesnt happen very often.
 
Like all ideas crates can be misused, but just because some people use them badly and to the detriment of their dogs, that does not mean that they are not useful if used correctly.

The idea behind crating is that bitches nest in small areas and puppies learn not to soil at 'home' but hold it until outside of the nest. Because crates resemble the nest, they are supposed to be more relaxing and offer the puppy a safe and quiet place to get away from other dogs, children, noise, etc. Of course not all dogs will like them, but do all dogs ever like the same thing?

A few simple rules can help if you decide to use a crate:

1. The crate should be large enough for the dog to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down, depending on the breed you may need to buy 2-3 crates as the puppy grows.
2. The puppy should not be left in the crate for more than 4 hours at the most and should get the opportunity to exercise and play when outside.
3. Do not force your dog in the crate or lock him in when he is not used to it. Leave the door open and encourage the puppy to explore the crate at his leisure. Put his bedding in there and with a bit of luck he will eventually start sleeping there.
4. Leave a toy or chew in the crate to occupy your dog when he is awake (a Kong stuffed with something is great).
5. Do not leave your puppy in the crate for so long he absolutely HAS to go to the toilet and HAS to soil the crate.
6. The crate is not a punishment, never put the puppy in the crate as a punishment.

Good luck!
 
I understand everyones views about crates, I hate them too and its took me a while to get used to the idea. We got a Lurcher pup 6 mths ago and I bought a crate, I dont know why I got one or where I read about them but it has had its advantages. Our house is pretty open plan and if we had a safe room then I wouldnt have bought one. I used to feel terrible putting him in it even though he wasnt bothered at all. He is locked in at night, at first it was half paper half bed and worked great, he then got too big for that so its now all bed and touch wood he hasnt dirtied in it or the house since the paper was removed. It has also stopped him chewing the house up. He isnt left alone very often but if we have to go out he goes in the crate and seems to know we are going out and touch wood has been fine. He goes in and out of it during the day of his own accord. In the mornings I open the door immediately and he doesnt fight his way out, he waits for his breakfast and comes out when he's ready. On the downside, Im still not 100% happy on the whole crate thing and now face the potential problems of getting used to not being in it and to be honest dont know where or when to start. I know he will be into everything left alone in the house so in hindsight has the crate delayed what he would have done in the first few months or has it been a godsend????
 
Agree with Booboos...crates can be a fantastic training aid and have prevented many a dog from being destroyed, esp in rescue environments, they can as any other containment methods, be it stable, yard/garden, kennel or play pen be abused, these aids where meant for the new dog owner who has to work for a living aswell as introduce a new dog to the household with out a endless amount of time to spend with the dog, as suggested it can provide a safe haven aswell as a secure area of smaller space to begin.

Crates do not have to be permanent, they are temporary and can save some nasty and potentially life threatening accidents when dogs/puppies are left unsupervised, just as you would not place a toddler in a large room and leave it at bed time you really would not want to do it with a small puppy...they can chew, swallow, eat through cables of foreign objects when left to their own devices.

Not everyone has the same life style or outdoor facility for their dogs to have free rein, my garden is huge and 2 of my dogs come and go as they please from their kennels, but I would never say this is what everyone should do...because not everyone can.
People as also not opposed to putting their dogs to sleep for destruction problems, all for the sake of crating and exercising, but then these people really should not own animals, then on the other hand you will get those who are happy to have their houses shredded until the dog reaches maturity and accepts the situation.

Also years back there was not such a thing as a crate but people still found ways of containment via kennels, which of course depends on your neighbours, or make shift mesh doors on cupboards or large boxes, or garages, of of course let it have free roam of the streets which was more common back then.
There is also a larger diversity of breeds now than there ever has been and more dogs owned than ever before as well as longer working hours for householders meaning less time to spend with our dogs.

Crates are now a better option and can be collapsed and used when travelling..
You will get dogs from day one that will not make a shred of mess or make a noise or ever need a crate, but for those who will not, then crates used responsibly are a great place to start.

I board a dog that has a garage through out the day but no walks or access to outside except for a quick let out and wee at dinner time by the owner, I also walk a dog that is crated, from 8am till 11am when I collect her and take her out with my dogs for a 3-4 hour walk/play/time at my house, I place her back in her crate with her kong for 3 hours till owners return home from work.

I know which dog I would rather be.
The crated puppy will be out of her crate in a year, the Akita will stay in the garage situation for life because she now makes too much noise when they attempt to crate her as they have left it too long, as they had not heard of a crate at the time she was a destructive puppy.
 
Just to add if anyone is interested in using crates, that a puppy that is used to a crate at home can be travelled in a crate in a car which can reduce a lot of anxiety, and taken to new places, e.g. holiday home or kennels, with the crate which immediately makes them feel at home and prevents soiling accidents.

Crates may look like prisons to us humans, but looked at from the point of view of the dog they are safe places for resting. I have had 3 crate trained dogs with no problems.
 
Crates aren't visually viewed as prisons for me; I got my dogs used to their sky kennels by using them as their beds prior to flying them over here. I never locked my dogs in except for in-flight. I then sold the crates when I arrived here in Canada.

My dogs looked like they liked their little crate nests - using them as beds is not my issue with them. Responsible people (in my opinion) do NOT lock their animals in tiny little cramped spaces for hours on end; but I know some people do. I am absolutely convinced that the puppy of mine who was crate trained, and subsequently left in his crate for 4 hours or more at a time, was physically damaged due to this.

I do not believe a puppy should be kept in a crate for longer than an hour at the most during the day; I think it is sinful I'm afraid. Puppies do not sleep for 4 hour stretches; gosh even my older dogs do not sleep for 4 hours solid, without wandering off for a few stretches during this time. I very much doubt my dogs lie in the same place for that length of time during the night either; and I know for sure that they do not sleep all night long.

Rescue centres are temporary homes for dogs, often having many many dogs who could not possibly be left to run around together in the same room; they will manage the dogs as and how it suits them until the dogs find their forever homes.

People with private homes should surely consider making space for a dog they wish to become a family member? You wouldn't put a toddler in a box, would you? Not even if you wanted to quickly run to the kitchen to put dinner on; no you'd either take the toddler with you, or you'd put it in a play pen.

Bring back puppy-pens I say. Let these puppies grow up correctly and without leg and joint problems; give them lots of toys and enough space to run around. Or designate a "safe room" in your home, just like you give children their own bedroom.

Yes crates may be useful in certain situations, I am not denying that; but NOT as the sole means of containing a puppy whilst you are out at work for hours on end each and every day. Jeez what a life!
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I had to get a crate when my dog was about 5 months old as she developed a bone growth problem and had to go on cage rest for several months (have you tried to cage rest a lab x puppy!!! mad!) but my dog loved the cage so much that we kept on with it for quite a while, they are excellent for toilet training as a puppy shouldn't mess its' own bed as long as the puppy isn't left for too long that it can't hold its' bladder any longer.
 
We were advised by our dog's breeder to use a crate when our dog was a puppy and I must say it worked very well, but crates MUST be used responsibly.

I used the crate a bit like you would a cot for a baby - somewhere safe where the pup could be put for a nap whilst I got on with other things, without having to worry that the pup could get into mischief or danger when it woke up. I am normally home most of the day though, so pup was not normally left crated for more than an hour, apart obviously from overnight, and if we went out for the day it was easy to put the crate in the car and take the pup with us. I do agree that crates should not be used to confine a pup all day when people are out at work.

I must say it did help a lot with house-training, because pups often want to go to the toilet immediately they wake up, but dislike soiling their crate. So once you notice they are awake, you swiftly take them outside where they almost invariably do their business. This way they quickly get into the habit of only toileting outside because they never get the chance to do it inside by accident.

Although our dog is now nearly four, she still has her crate but the door is always open, as she much prefers it to a normal bed. In fact, when we have other people's dogs to stay, they actually prefer her crate to their own beds and try and slip in there whenever they can!
 
I love crates, I have a bright pink one but still haven't actually "shut" my 8 month old puppy in one. Used as a dog bed only, but provided a fantastic surface to dump rugs, towels and various other bits and peices (not coats with biscuits in the pocket as they get dragged down and raided).

I think they are very useful for house training overnight, but wouldn't like to see dogs shut in them during the day.
 
My OH's dog is crate trained. He loves his crate.

He often just takes himself into it with a toy and curls up. It was only going to be for a few months whilst he was training but its like his bedroom and its his space and he's happy in it.
 
We use ours for travelling only - neither set of parents is dog friendly (scared really), and OH's parents' aged cat is very dog unfriendly.

Dog isn't particularly keen on it now - but it stops him needing to go into kennels when we visit the parents, as they won't let him sleep anywhere in the house unless he is contained.
 
My whippet was crate trained and she loved being in there. It was often hard to persuade her to come out because it was so cosy in her crate.

I am getting another whippet puppy on Monday and it too, will be crate trained. I am at home all day so the crate will not be used for my convenience but for for the puppy's security and initial toilet training. I have bought a huge Great Dane bed so that both dogs can sleep together as soon as possible but in the first few days/weeks I am not sure how my current whippet will react to the youngster because she is a very jealous dog and so I want the puppy to have a safe haven to retreat to if she wants. The only problem that I can forsee is if my older girl wants to be in the crate too and shoves puppy out! I guess I'll have to cross that bridge if and when I come to it.
 
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