to crate, or not to crate, that is the question - Page 1

I was wondering what the split would be of people who crate train their dogs vs. those that dont? please include your reasons fore or against. does this go for the house, car, etc. Personally, we do. we start them when they are pups(is there another way to buy a dog?) to help house break them. canines are den animals, and in the wild they do not normally soil where they sleep. new ones to the home sleep next to us in the bed so we can hear them when they need to go, which usually means the wife or I are sleeping in the spare room. It was alot of fun when we came home with littermates. when they are not crated, they are taken outside often. we also feed our dogs in their crates. this teaches them that the crate is a good place to go, and later makes loading them for training a breeze. as they mature and become more reliable in the house we dont even have to shut the doors. we can sit and watch tv or play on the computer, and when they get bored they will go and lay down in their crate. at night THEY choose to go to sleep in their crate(unless company is over, not all the family enjoys sleeping with one of our kids. looking forward to hear from all of you. john

John, I think crate training is crucial for the successful ownership of a dog. A dog must learn to see the crate as a den, i.e., a place of safety and comfort. And yes, I do use one on rare occassions as a place of confinement if correction does not work, such as one picking on the other. I have only one (1) who refuses to enter the crate unless I issue a stern command. But, she is the senior bitch and was not crate-trained as a puppy. My negligence. Bob-O

bob-o, that is interesting about your bitch. our oldest is a little more laid back. when the younger dogs come in she is the first to go to a crate to get away from "the wild bunch". john

John, she is a Fero grandaughter; hard-headed and with civil drive but 100% predictable and reliable. She was raised in the house, and I guess she sees the entire house as her crate. The ancient "Queen" sits on the couch and makes faces as the younger ones pass by running and jumping. They do not DARE mess with her. That said, though, she does prefer privacy when they are too noisy, and usually repairs to the bedroom. Bob-O

Gee..I don't even have to comment. She's done it for me.

Gee Whiz!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think without a crate I would have to invest in a couple of really good muzzles. Only for when I go out without them. I can leave them for 15 minutes or so but if I'm going to be gone for any length of time look out if they are not in the crates. My male loves the newpapers or weekly store ads. I think he thinks that the pictures of the roasts or pork chops are for real and tries to eat those pictures. Then of coarse my female has to join in the fun. The one time I came home and it looked like the paper shredder got loose. OH MY. Yes, they are crated when I leave home now. Not good if a burgler was to break in though. That is the only time they are crated though. Lots of fun trying to fix a meal and one is laying in front of the kitchen sink and the other in front of the range. Like going through an obstacle course.

About the Fero grandaughter...When she was younger she had to be crated when cleaning the house. She lived by the motto "Vacuum cleaner must die!" and would grab every vacuum cleaner as if it was a bite sleeve. She still does, but has preferred a sleeve for many years. Less noise and cursing, I guess. Bob-O

LOL, to both of you bob-o and immy, my wife has a male that thinks paper is the greatest thing on earth. he doesnt eat it, but will search it out and shred it. LMH, please explain. john

John-- I'm afraid the "Queen" isn't taking advantage of that desirable den---knowing that the crate is not all it is cracked up to be. Like I said in the other thread, "Very smart, these GSDs"....ATTA, GIRL.... Night everyone. Time for crate.

My 4yo female absolutely loves her crate. She hates to ride in a car without her crate. My 9yo male rescue is really either way about it at home but when we go to training classes, he likes to lay in a crate near the front of the room and watch while the other dogs train. he's got bad hips and can't do as much any more but he does love to direct. He was 2 yo the first time I crated him (hotel insisted) and he took to it immediately and loves it for trips. I don't have to close the doors anymore for either dog but when I had my border collie she could never be trusted out of sight in the house (loved to shred stuff-pillows, paper, books clothing) My training club recommends owners to bring crates to class in case they need to work without their dog especially for the Rally Obedience or Agility classes when the handler has to walk the course. Makes it much easier. At home my girl often goes to her crate when she's tired or wants some quiet time. She will close the door herself. If I have any rescue that I'm fostering it's an absolute necessity to have the extra crates.