What's Wrong With Crating?

Wow. Thank you so much author of this article. When I got a puppy the vet suggested that I crate train her! She even gave me a pamphlet about how it's not cruel it's more like a "den" for the dog. I gave her a weird look and said "No I have it under control." She even told me she crate trains her dogs. I told her I put my dog in the kitchen behind a baby gate while I'm gone but the vet still pushed it on me. It didn't feel like a nice way to treat my dog and it turns out someone else agrees with me. I keep the kitchen free of bad things to chew and alternate toys for her so she always has something interesting to play with Kongs etc. When I get home I clean up her potty. I don't expect her to hold it and in fact prefer that she doesn't because what if I had to be gone longer than expected? I think people welcome any idea that means they don't have to put effort in.

While I think that crating dogs for too long is bad of course I agree they should be out about and stretching I really don't get how crating them at night or for a short period during the day is wrong. I have two small dogs that love to cuddle and a large crate full of pillows I also cover the crate with a blanket at night. If I left them out at night they'd terrorize the cats. This way they're all soft and cozy and secure. I don't see what's wrong with that. Also if I left them out in the house while I was just running to the store they'd worry themselves with anxiety barking and screeching. If I put them in the crate for just a little bit they can just take a nap. Also like others have said on here they go into their crates to nap on their own free will when they get bored. So while I agree that crates can be misused and often are I don't think PETA is addressing that they can be used in the right way. If they think these ways are wrong I'd love for them to tell me why.

UM.. Different Subjuct... I have been taking care of my neighbors crated dogdogs for 5 years!!! He has had 2 so far.. They both were WACK JOBS!!!! One was a mut and the other is a pure bred.. Crating stops the activity that Is needed to keep the brain young!!! I have 2 dogs both are muts half breeds. I love them both and I have had dogs for all my life 13 years. I know that The most inportant thing for my dogs is a good days exersize and lots of love. My Friend and I just went up to my neighbors house to take care of their pure bred dog their mut having passed away at the age of 5. We both thought it is so sad about crating dogs it really shortens the life of your loved ones!!!! yup

I am very disappointed that PETA is wasting their time on this issue when there are clearly more important issues to be addressed. Crating is not cruel if done correctly and never for punishment. Now i realize there are people who use crates the wrong way however you cannot assume that all people who crate their dogs are cruel and inhumane. What do you suggest people who work all day do? Would it be better to let the dogs run free in house where they can run the risk of getting into something that could be harmful to them? I crate responsibly and am offended by the implication that I am being cruel. My dogs are part of my family and treated as such.

I'm really dissapointed to see Peta waste energy on this issue. Attacking people who crate their dogs just gives the general public and people who truly do care about animals an excuse to see Peta as crazy instigaters who will pick a fight with anyone which invalidates Peta and their supporters. People are definitely not ready to hear something like that when the majority still think it's ok to eat animals for food or wear them as clothing. It sounds really off the wall to fight something that when done correcty IS NOT cruel! Only a very wealthy person would be able to spend every minute with their dog or could pay someone when they couldn't be there. Most people have to work full time to support themselves and their dogs! So in that case crating your dog is a much better option than tying him up outside or leaving him unattended in your house where they could hurt themselves. Crate training does have to be done properly and there is certainly the opportunity for it to be cruel but people who would leave their dogs stuck in a crate for 10 hours obviously do not care about their dog in the first place. We shouldn't bother harping on them about the crate when in reality animal services should be taking the dog away from them. People who are crating responsibly would really take offense to being told they are abusing their dog. Dogs should all learn that being in a crate is not a scary thing because sometimes they may have to be in one traveling overnight stays at the vet etc.. I am lucky my dogs do not have seperation anxiety at all but any animal that is left alone will get bored just like children and it's much safer for them to be in a crate with their toys than roaming the house chewing on things that could hurt them. My dogs do love their crates they go in them and sleep or play all the time. I find it very insulting for someone who must have such a wonderful life that they can spend all their time hanging out with their dogs to tell me I am abusive because I have to work for a living and want to keep my dog out of harm's way when I am not home.