Pets & Animals >
Dog Training
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedIs crating your dog cruel?
Title endorsed in part by:
Results so far:
| Yes | 27% | 164 votes | Total: 613 votes | |
| No | 73% | 449 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesLiving in a country where crating a dog is illegal, except during transportation, under animal welfare legislation, I have not previously needed to consider this issue. I am appalled that the majority of articles and votes claim crating a dog is not cruel. I find it very hard to believe that so many people can think imprisoning a dog in solitary, in a very small cage where they can't even pace, could be anything but cruel. Similar containments were used in the harshest human prisons of the past, as the worst possible, non-corporeal punishment of prisoners; doing so these days would severely compromise the prisoner's human rights.
Using a crate with a fixed open cage door instead of a doghouse is not a problem. But the only time the crate door should be closed is when the crate is being transported. Even then, crating is still cruel, but it is a necessary cruelty for the safety of the dog, and possibly that of the transportation staff in the vicinity. As soon as the crate arrives at its destination, the door should be opened and the dog freed from the crate. This should be doable, because all necessary arrangements for receiving the dog should have been taken care of prior to his or her arrival.
At no other time should a crate door be closed. If you move so frequently that you feel it necessary to train your dog to become habituated to a crate to ease the dog's anxieties when being transported, then quite simply, if you care for dogs at all, you shouldn't own one. Your lifestyle is clearly unsuited to dog ownership, either give up your dog(s) or change your lifestyle to a dog-friendly one. Anything else is just selfish. If you have a spouse and children as well, very seriously consider changing your lifestyle, or occupation if that triggers the moves. The nomadic lifestyle is only appropriate for children, and dogs for that matter, if the nomadic group is large, not just a nuclear family.
If you are using a crate to contain your dog while you are at work, presumably you do not have a fenced backyard or are unable to give him or her the freedom of your abode during your absence. Sadly, if you do not have dog-friendly accommodations, you should not have a dog. Imprisoning them while you work is not an ethical solution; anyone who does that has no right to call themselves a dog-lover. In New Zealand, doing so would be illegal, contravening the Animal Welfare Act 1999, and could cost the transgressor up to $25,000 in fines and/or a maximum of six months imprisonment. The owner of a kenneling establishment that did so could be fined up to $250,000 and jailed for 12 months.
Some of the articles on the "No" side of this debate attempt to claim the dog will use a crate as a "safe haven" or compare it to a natural den, as used by wild canine species. There is already an excellent article on the "Yes" side that disabuses those ideas, so I will just say that no animal whatsoever, especially social animals like dogs and people, will use a place where they can be locked in under another's control as a place of safety and security, unless they have become psychologically disturbed or damaged by repeated emotional abuse. Using your position as the alpha animal of your human/dog pack to "encourage" your dog to engage in this unnatural behavior is emotional abuse.
Please, take off the blinkers of self-interest and recognize that crating is cruel! Only lock your dog in a crate on what should be the very rare occasions when they must be transported. Dog ownership is a privilege that comes with some responsibilities as well as the many rewards. If your lifestyle, finances or accommodations do not suit having a dog, and you can't make changes or obtain assistance to mitigate these, then make the noble and ethical choice, do not get a dog!
Learn more about this author, Perry McCarney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
A dog crate, utilized properly, is not a cruel device, but instead becomes a safe haven for your pet. A place to go where they can "get away from it all." Somewhere that they can be alone and safe from feet.
Improper usage of a pet crate can be considered cruel, however. A pet should never be placed inside a crate for punishment. Time inside a crate should be restricted to no more than a few hours. Placing a pet inside a crate for most of a day is cruel. The pet has nothing to do, in most cases there is no food or water provided.
To properly utilize a crate, it is important to understand when it is appropriate to put your pet inside.
If your pet has misbehaved or if you wish to punish you pet, this is NOT the time to crate them. They will begin to associate it with bad things and balk at going inside.
To encourage your pet to use the crate and to make it easier to get your pet inside, it must be made a pleasant experience for them. There will be times when you will want to put your pet inside and close the door.
It is advised to not feed or water a pet inside a crate or provide a minimum amount of food and water If you intend to be gone for extended periods, they will be unable to relieve themselves. Most dogs learn from their mother as puppies to leave the nest to use the bathroom when they get older. They will come to see the crate as their nest and unable to leave to do their business can cause unnecessary stress.
Toys and a soft bed are both good items to place inside the crate. The pet will become bored, much as anyone would when confined to a small space with nothing to do. A toy or two, even a chew toy can help alleviate the boredom.
If you intend to be gone for extended periods of time (say more than either continuous hours) it is best if you can get someone to visit your home and let the pet outside for a few moments. If this is not possible, maybe put a small dish of water in a corner nearest the door. Ensure it sits on the firm bottom of the crate and not on the padding.
It is also important to place the crate in a comfortable area. If you put it in a room that catches the majority of the sun and becomes a blast furnace during the times your pet will most use the crate, it will be a miserable time for them and you will see increasingly harder times to get them into it.
Ensure the sun cannot shine directly into the crate at any time the pet will be inside it. There is no shade from sunlight penetrating windows for them to crawl into.
It is also beneficial to ensure the room does not get too cold, particularly during winter months in northern areas prone to subzero temperatures. If you turn your heat down during the day to conserve energy, ensure you provide your pet with adequate protection from the cold. A blanket they can burrow under or into will help them stay cozy while you are out.
Do not allow anyone (kids, visitors, etc) to torment or tease a pet inside a closed crate. This is their safe-haven from the problems of the world. If these problems come knocking on their crate's door, they will be trapped and will respond in the manner they typically are not known for.
Educate visitors (if they see prone to tormenting, maybe they should not be invited over at all) of the reason for the crate and explain how their actions are nullifying the purpose of the crate before showing them the door.
Children also will need education. Explain to them that the crate is to the dog what their bedroom is to them. Whereas the dog does not decorate with rock musician posters and play loud music, this is still their sanctuary from everything and it is important to allow them that sanctuary undisturbed.
Before placing your pet into a crate for an extended period, ensure you provide them ample opportunities to relieve themselves before leaving them inside. This will help ensure that "accidents" inside the crate are reduced and the pet will not be forced to lie in their own wastes until your return.
When cleaning the crate, do not use harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Use pet friendly cleansers that will remove odors as well as messes. Strong, harsh chemicals may be detrimental to your pet's health and well-being.
Taking the time to introduce a crate to your pet properly will result in a pet that does not fight entering the crate at the times when you need them to. It is not cruel to a pet to provide a safe place for them to retreat to. As always, though, there are exceptions to the rules. Some pets may balk at entering their crate (they can be claustrophobic as well) and alternative measures may be necessary for them.
A crated pet cannot cause destruction inside an empty home, including getting into substances that may be harmful to them in your absence.
Learn more about this author, B. L. Babb.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
