Why Confining a Dog to a Crate Is Wrong

Should I Lock up My Dog?

I hate my dog, so I have decided to confine her. I will not leave her outside during the day. I will not subject her to fresh breezes, the birds singing in the trees, the cats running through my yard, or force her to hear the sounds of kids playing on the beach.

Several dog experts have determined that my dog would be much happier locked away in a cage during the day. They tell me it is natural for dogs to spend their time in a den and thus she will feel safe if I allow her no freedom. The crate will be just big enough for her to turn around but not so large that she is able to get up and defecate or urinate if she needs to.

They think that my dog will be much better off inside my house, locked away in a crate.

Dogs Are Not Den Animals, and Crates Are Not Natural

When dogs are feral, the only time they use a den is when they are raising their puppies. Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, in The Hidden Life of Dogs, recounts the digging of a den by her dogs. This is not normal behavior. She had recently moved to a new state, the dogs were confined for the first time, and there were several other changes in the household. The dogs were upset and were hiding like newborn puppies.

Why do experts recommend using crates? Maybe it is because of the people that are too lazy to own a dog. Crates are convenient, but they are not a natural thing that all dogs accept.

Yes, most dogs can be convinced that it is okay to be confined to a crate. There are crate companies that now sell crates to look like furniture, and of course, they tell you that it is okay to lock up your puppy as soon as company comes over. Why bother with training? Just put the dog away and eliminate the issue.

After a while, they will give up on complaining and not even beg to be let out. That allows the people that confine their dogs to think they are doing okay.

Most humans in prisons also go back to their cell when they are told.

Are Crates Better Than the Outdoors?

There are a lot of people on the internet who claim to be experts. They recommend that all dogs be crated when the owner is out of the house.

Locking your friend away may keep her from chewing on your new shoes and prevent her from urinating on your carpet, but so does training, picking up after yourself, or leaving her outside.

The majority of people in the US now think it is wrong to leave a dog outside during the day. Those not able to afford doggie daycare, also the majority, are told that it is all right to incarcerate a dog in a crate during the day. It is not all right.

Crates Are OK Sometimes

Actually, I do not hate my dog. I used a crate to potty train her when she was seven weeks old, but as soon as she realized that the house was not to be used as her bathroom, I tossed the crate in the trash.

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(It was just a cardboard box, so I just added it to my compost heap. If you want to potty train your puppy using a crate, use a cardboard box and get it done in five days. You will not be tempted to keep it in the garage and use it again.)

I am also not going to condemn everyone that uses a crate in all situations. That is wrong. A crate with an open door can be a safe place to sleep, and if your dog does not have a table to lie under when the company comes over, an open crate is an alternative.

A crate with a closed door can be a safe way to move a dog.

If you lock the cage and confine a dog inside the house when you go to work or entertain, however, it is not correct. Your dog does not deserve this sort of treatment.

Please think before you accept the advice out there.

It may be wrong.

More Resources About Crates and Dogs

• Keep Your Dog Outside
  Use common sense. Some dogs can do great outside, but you need to choose the right breed. If your dog is going to be outside, do you know what you need to provide?
• How to Housetrain a Puppy in 5 Days
  Simple and cheap method to potty train your puppy, with tips on how to spend each day.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2012 Mark dos Anjos, DVM

Comments

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on July 25, 2020:

rude "dogs are not humans" person: yes, I did delete your comment since you added that last bit.

No, dogs are not den animals. You are abusing your dog.

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on July 25, 2020:

Hey "Dogs are not humans"--dogs are not rocks either. Unless you think you have bought a rock and want to treat it that way, grow up and treat the dogs it should be treated. You are an irresponsible person to abuse this animal and think it is okay.

No, dogs are not den animals.

Dogs are not humans! on July 25, 2020:

Im only a teenager and my mom finally got us a puppy, who’s responsibility falls to me. I love my puppy more than anything and we treat him very well so he warmed up to all of us in less than 24 hours. Anytime he wants out of the crate we let him out, give him what he wants, and eventually either he will go back in himself or we will put him there, sometimes we even leave the door open if we know he might want again soon, and we don’t leave him in there longer than his naps (which last 45 mins to 2.5 hours, with the exceptions of nights which he sleeps through). But dogs actually are den animals. My new puppy walked right into his DOG crate the first day and cozied up in his DOG bed with his DOG toys no training needed. Because he is a DOG not a human, not a “baby” not a “kid” he’s a dog. And I hate to break it to yall, but dogs ARE NOT babies. Dogs don’t want to drink from a bottle, they don’t want to watch Mickey Mouse, they don’t play pretend, and they don’t need a blanket to sleep. Babys are not covered in fur, they do not chase squirrels, and they do not want to dig holes, and they do not play tug of war all the time. Granted, there are some similarities between baby’s and dogs, but lots of obvious differences that make babies, babies and dogs, dogs. When he isn’t following me around or playing with my younger siblings, my dog gets tired and retreats to his crate, when he is ready he will let us know when he wants out. Vets who STUDY pets FOR A LIVING reccomend crate training, so your dumbass probably saw one article and decided your dog “doesn’t deserve that.” Even in your poll you make crating seem like a punishment. If you are so afraid to give your puppy anything that might be mildly uncomfortable for them at first, raising a dog is not for you, you should get a plant instead. What you guys don’t understand is that when u don’t provide a crate to your dog, you aren’t giving him a save place that he can go when he is tired or wants a break/alone time. Your dog does get tired of you, sorry to break it too you. He won’t want to spend every waking moment with you (though it seems like it I know), eventually he will need a break. Crates keep puppies safe and out of trouble, and just because a bunch of uneducated adults feel bad for it, doesn’t mean it is wrong. Instead of comparing it to putting your baby in a cage, compare it to putting your baby in their crib. If you feel so horrible for giving your dog any sort of stucture, you are probably the type to baby your kids into brats. If you want to compare you dogs to your kids, at least do it right. Don’t get me wrong, crate training IS NOT leaving the dog in the crate for over 6 hours (unless he’s sleeping through the night) it is NOT throwing him in the crate as punishment, EVER, (if puppies do something “bad” do not punish them, only praise what is good, what you should do if your dog gets into trouble is [at a normal volume] say “no” and redirect them do something else.) If you associate the crate with punishment your dog will hate it and hate being inside it. Crate training is also NOT putting him in the crate when he wants to play or needs something else. If you are doing any of these things, you aren’t crate training, you are abusing. For everyone saying crate training is “lazy” it is not, doing it wrong is lazy. Just because we are raised and see movies and media that makes cadges look like traps, doesn’t mean they have to be traps if you use them correctly. The crates are not punishments or cadges for when you don’t feel like dealing with your dog. That is obviously wrong. But they are a safe place for your dog, that he hangs out in or sleeps in when he wants or gets tired, that he knows he can leave whenever he needs. So everyone, unless you have a real reason not to crate your dog (abused, old, whatever) grow up and crate your dog, for everyone’s benefit.

Crating = Abuse on April 06, 2020:

Crate Training so lazy and cruel to any dog. They wonder why their dogs have anxiety and behavioral issues when they're trapped for over 6 hours in box. Maybe don't own a dog if you don't know how to train it.

Belinda on November 16, 2019:

Just read one of the responses below saying they crate their dogs when guests come over so that the children won't annoy or tease the dog. How about putting those useless spoilt brats in a cage instead and let the dog run free? Crating is for ppl who want to put zero effort into training their dogs and who give them zero exercise. A properly trained and exercised dog will not destroy your house. Use baby gates to confine them to the kitchen or wherever initially if you have to but crating is absolutely horrifying and a pathetic excuse for pure uselessness and laziness of owners.

Terrence on September 23, 2019:

People who justify caging animals, especially for long hours, don't seem to comprehend that they shouldn't have pets. Maybe they feel entitled, because "everyone else has one, my kid gets one too". Exercise some restraint. If you'd leave your child in a cage for 4-9 hours while you're so busy at work making more money to buy your required crap and gadgets, you'd ignore your child as well. Grow up, grow a set, and look hard in the mirror. You don't need a kid any more than you need a pet or another handbag or car. Gluttons.

Shirley L on May 08, 2019:

I have a 6 month old miniature American shepherd and he loves the crate, I

Wish I could post a picture or him in the cage.

When we got him, he used to destroy anything in the house, he still does, we paid $2800 in obedience training and he does everything we ask but the destructive part is a biological part of the breed, if I

Don’t close the crate he would destroy everything so for him the crate is not an option is a most.

We do have a back yard but he cannot stay outside all day because the alligators will get him, so I lock him when I go out sometimes 5 hours(not every day) but he still a happy puppy and I don’t believe he is traumatized.

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 05, 2019:

Theodora, no, you are wrong, and I hope you go sit in your crate all day and think about the things you say. (Lock yourself up in there instead of abusing your dog!)

Tosha on February 16, 2019:

I couldn't do it. I have 2 dogs. They are left free in their home or outside if it is good weather. We crated one of them for one day and the whole day at work, I couldn't stop thinking about her being locked in the cage. Yes, at first they destroyed some things. They peed and pooped everywhere. I learned quickly not to leave things out. I put a gate in the areas i don't want them to go in and they have never jumped the gate. They rarely have accidents in the house anymore. One sleeps with me and one sleeps on the couch. I can't imagine leaving them in a cage while we are at work.

Smash951 on February 06, 2019:

Also, people confuse what they think is their dog's love for the cage with what is more than likely a canine stockholm syndrome for it. If a dog is actually a "den animal" then why do people have to train it to accept their new "den?" Because they aren't den animals and even if they were, real dens don't have latches. The only thing close to a cage I've ever used was a giant round playpen type thing (was huge like 6 feet around) to keep my new foster puppy in occassionally so my other big dogs wouldn't be too rough with her after she had her eyeball removed. I tore it down and gave it away right when i no llonger needed it.