Animal Rights Uncompromised:
Crating Dogs

No matter what the pet shop owner or dog trainer says, a crate is just a box that you can see through, and putting dogs in crates is just a way to ignore and warehouse them until you get around to taking care of them properly.

Crating is a popular "convenience practice" that is often used on adult dogs. The inappropriate practice deprives dogs of the opportunity to fulfill some of their most basic needs, such as the freedom to walk around, the chance to relieve themselves, and the comfort of stretching out to relax. Crating began as a convenience for people who participate in "dog shows" to keep their dogs clean, but they did not take into account their dogs' social, physical, and psychological requirements. Dogs are highly social pack animals who abhor isolation and crave and deserve companionship, praise, and exercise. Forcing dogs to spend extended periods of time confined and isolated simply to accommodate their guardians' schedule is unacceptable.

Crate training does not speed up the housebreaking process. Regardless of the training method, puppies do not develop full bladder control until they are about 6 months old. It is counterproductive to crate young puppies in the hope that they will "hold it" because they are physically incapable of doing so and will be forced to urinate in their crate after experiencing great discomfort while trying not to soil their bed. Puppies who repeatedly soil their crates often lose the urge to keep their crate clean, which in turn prolongs and complicates the housebreaking process. Pet-store and puppy-mill puppies who are born and raised in crate-like structures may experience severe anxiety and develop fearful and/or destructive behaviors if they are confined to a crate. They may even injure themselves while trying to bite or scratch their way out of it.

Studies have shown that long-term confinement is detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of animals. Animals caged for extended periods can develop eating disorders and anti-social and/or aggressive behaviors, or they can become withdrawn, hyperactive, or severely depressed. When there are so many other alternatives, why should we subject our canine companions to a training method that is obviously not in their best interests?

PETA does not oppose keeping a dog in small area if it is in the dog's best interests (e.g., when cage rest is ordered by a veterinarian or when confinement will keep the dog safe during travel). When this is the case, guardians should always take steps to ensure that dogs are provided with bedding and the opportunity to relieve themselves and that they are given access to water, fresh air, food, and other basic requirements.

There are numerous humane alternatives to crating for people whose schedules force them to leave their canine companions at home for the duration of the workday. PETA supports humane, interactive obedience training, which promotes and teaches guardians effective ways to communicate with their animal companions. Committed caretakers who successfully complete training and continuously practice obedience methods with their dogs have no reason to imprison their well-behaved companions while they are away. For those who cannot make it home during the day, PETA recommends hiring a reputable pet service or soliciting a reliable person, perhaps a neighbor, to take dogs out for a midday walk. A "dog door" that provides access to a secure, fenced yard gives dogs a way to relieve boredom and can prevent neurosis. Having an animal friend also alleviates boredom and loneliness in dogs.

Read more about humane methods of training dogs in Dogs Behaving Badly: An A-to-Z Guide to Understanding and Curing Behavioral Problems in Dogs.