Crate unhealthy for a dogs for their behavior - Page 8

LOL how absolutely arrogant to make a blanket statement that owners who use crates for their dogs are bad dog owners and those who don't are better dog owners. If only it were that simple.

Precisely. 

There are different dogs with different temperaments, different drives, different situations, etc. What if you have multiples and they don't get along? Risk injury or death to avoid crating for a few hours? 

"Betta Wolf, with all due respect, what lines are your dogs?"

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the answer to that question.

Looks like you're right, Keith.

I will say my dogs are crated for their safety when we are not at home....as my husband is retired that's not often. But when they are loose in the house we often find them curled up in their crates, with the doors open....it's their private space, & they do seem to enjoy going there from time to time for privacy or a secure nap, or to stash that special toy or treat. My one girl runs to her crate all the time, the dogs have their own bedroom for their crates, each crate has it's own space, bed, & little area, & she is very particular about who enters her 'space'....LOL so like a kid it's pathetic, LOL. When they're not feeling well or having an issue, they sleep in our room. During her illness Kali has taken up residence in our bedroom with us, & everyone else seems to be OK with it, no jealousy or bickering. She just wants to be close to us for now.
I'll admit I didn't read the whole thread, just thought I'd throw my $0.02 in, since our bedroom/crate system seems to work so well, & everyone seems happy....jackie harris

I'm AMAZED that a topic even as "crates" can get heated........ All my dogs are or have been crated, (situation dictates). Puppies at night or when I am away until they "earn" the freedom of the house. When I first joined the PDB I stated my male, (now 10 in Mar.), as a pup was crated while I worked, (LEO). I was on 12 hr. shifts, 3 on 2 off. Paperwork etc. made it closer to 13/14 hrs. If I was "extended" due to arrests, emergencies, etc. it could be longer. The longest ever was 19 hrs. due to a fatality accident. NO PROBLEMS.  At that time it life that was the only way besides giving him up and that wouldn't happen!

Service dog is crated, the two girls are crated. At present, the two girls are crated when I am gone for work. The house, (or part) would be destroyed. And you have to ,for most of the time, watch the young one, 17 mos like a hawk. (You think the dryer monster is stealing the babies socks? Nope, the young one is eating them!) For the person who stated ? robbers ? love crated GSDs. No perp, unless he/she is a diehard or under the influence of something is going to attempt to do anything inside a house with ANY dog barking, crated or not. Even if it's an ankle biter. And how would the AVERAGE knucklehead know the dog is crated?

I'll say when the girls are crated and someone came up to my door and all hell broke loose, (yes, there are four now) but those two barking wouldn't tell someone that they are crated. And whoever wouldn't stay around to long. (You should see the meter readers when they pull in the driveway, scoping EVERYTHING out to make sure four dogs are either kenneled or indoors. (lol).

As I said, situation dictates. As far as kenneled outdoors. They're usually with me wherever I am/go. Once in a while I take a couple or just one. Anastacia is a non-stop barker in the truck and once in a blue moon I just want some peace. If kenneled outdoors it's for fresh air and being outdoors. The kennels are for their comfort. NOT for them to be locked up in for a whole day or for them to crap or piss in. Once in a blue moon that might happen. But I am usually there to "break" them or exercise/train them and they come out. 

Ironically, my friend and Boss has four dogs with three of them explosives. His kennels, two that I just built, kennel his dogs pretty much 24/7. And the dogs crap and piss in them. To me, that is the other end of the spectrum for me. I said a few things when I was building the kennels but to each their own. For me it just isn't in my mentality for dogs to be in that set up. Even if "working" dogs that can't live indoors or with family members/children.

Crates are just another tool in managing a dog...............

I have no problem with crating a dog and have used crates without issue for years. When I got my male Shepherd, I used the crate so he had "his place" in the new environment and he took right to it. After several months of this big crate in the house, we changed things up and I got rid of the crate in the house, keeping it only for transport. A few weeks later, we were visiting a friend and my dog saw my buddy's dog's little crate- sized for a brittany spaniel. My 90lb. boy climbed inside, curled into a tiny ball so he could fit,  and went right to sleep.
He must not have a problem with crates.

I have always used a (really large) crate a lot for my adult male; largely for his own safety.  He
is a total klutz, always walking into things and swallowing things he shouldn't, so crate time
reduces vet bills.  He goes out for walks at least four times every day though.  Often asleep in it
although the door is open.  Would only be asleep on a rug or something at those times if there
was no crate - he is nine now.  Used to be a bit overactive.  Haven't noticed any detriment, by
comparison with other, non-crated, dogs I've lived with. 

People that don't use crates love puppy pee pads and teach their dogs peeing in the house is just fine. Whatever works for them (and their sense of smell). Mine are always crated until at least a year when my eyes are not on them (and I don't even work). They are usually tethered to me as puppies when not sleeping in their crates (which not one has not loved) or outside training/playing. I suppose leashes are out of the question too because the dog can't make it's own mind up about where they want to wander on walks.