Dog Crates - good or bad?

Some of the worst stories told in animal rescue centres involve dog crates:-

The dog was 18 months old when he arrived a german shepherd with a very loving nature definitely more a barker than a biter. Unfortunately being an adolescent at the time the dog had been confined to a crate supposedly for short periods where no one was at home so that the house was not found to be destroyed when they arrived home. If this had been the case then fine i can understand, but when the dog has muscle wasting in his back legs and cannot walk in a straight line because he has been confined to that space probably for the majority of his short life you start to realise that maybe these dog crates arent as good as they seem on first impressions. The dog actually walked everywhere in circles spinning around and around because that is all he had ever known. Source

That’s a dog crate used in a way which could (and should) land the owner in jail. However, many use crates to the benefit of dog and human.

Crate as wolf's den

‘Canis familiaris’ the domestic dog, is descended from ‘Canis lupus” the wolf, which in the wild maintains a den: somewhere secure and warm where it feels safe from predators and can rear its young. The same urge is present in the domestic dog, which a crate, used correctly, can satisfy.

Both wolf and domestic dog avoid soiling where they sleep. So a crate can be useful as part of a training regime when housebreaking a puppy. A crate also has a role when defending the home from puppy jaws. A young dog cannot be watched constantly and may be confined to a crate, for short periods, to prevent it chewing slippers and electrical cables.

Crate as work of art The crate is also essential when transporting a dog by car, to prevent the driver being distracted. Some designs attach like a child-seat. Many hotels and apartment landlords refuse dogs, but may be persuaded to accept a crate-trained animal. So such a dog can make it easier for owners to stay and live where they want. Crates come in all shapes and sizes. They can be made from wood, wire, fibreglass, canvas, aluminium, plastic or nylon. Some collape for easy storage. Some are works of art.
Crate as punishment Crates should be large enough for a dog to stand up and turn round. A crate should never be used as punishment. The dog should associate it with somewhere pleasant, a place it goes to escape rowdy children or demanding younger dogs. When training a puppy to use a crate this can be reinforced by associating it with feeding, treats and toys. A number of crates can be scattered about a house.
Crate training A non crate-trained dog cannot simply be locked in a crate. The dog would feel trapped, frustrated and frightened. Indeed, a shop-bought puppy which has been kept in a cage, and was obliged to soil where it slept, can be considerably harder to housebreak. Confining an animal in its waste is cruel and can cause problems throughout the animal’s life. Introduce a dog slowly to a crate. Lock the door open to start with. Place its food near or in the crate. Throw a ball or other toy into the crate for the dog to retrieve. Make the dog associate the crate with pleasure, safety and rewarded behaviour. When the dog has learned to use the crate happily, lock it for a short period. Remain in the room. If the dog cries don’t let him out or he’ll always cry. Speak to him reassuringly but leave him in the crate. After a few minutes let him out and reward him. Repeat the process but for longer periods, eventually leaving the room but retuning at regular intervals, reassuring him as necessary. Ideally he should first be locked in while asleep and let out, and rewarded, when he awakens naturally.
Prison crate How long should a dog be crated? Answer: for a non crate-trained dog, never. For a crate-trained animal, no more than a couple of hours. Some owners crate their dogs all day while at work and then again at night. That’s animal cruelty and should be reported. If you won’t let a dog have the run of the house while you’re out - to protect your precious furnishings - don’t keep a dog. If you crate him excessively expect a visit from animal welfare.
Before & after crating When crating a dog to be left unsupervised remove the collar and ensure he has plenty of water. Walk him immediately before and after crating. If he does soil the crate clean it with a non-ammonia based cleaner or he may learn to associate the crate with waste.
Crate psychology A dog is naturally territorial and will feel protective towards his crate. Children should not be permitted to crawl inside and should be taught to respect the dog when he's using his crate. However, the owner should remain 'top dog' and exclude the animal periodically from his crate. It should be made clear this isn't punishment but, rather, the human owner asserting his legitimate rights over all the dog's territory. Such exclusions can be combined with cleaning and the provision of fresh bedding. Once the crate is ready the dog can be rewarded and allowed back in. Dog crates get a bad press because some irresponsible owners abuse them. But used intelligently and humainly a dog will love his crate. He’ll use it to chew his favourite bone, escape from children and the cat, and emerge ready to give humans even more pleasure.
Top of page Return to front page

Dog Crates - good or bad?

Crate as wolf's den

Crate as work of art

Crate as punishment

Crate training

Prison crate

Before & after crating

Crate psychology