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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.
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