by B. L. Babb

Created on: August 28, 2008   Last Updated: October 14, 2008

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

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