What is your opinion about people who keep their dogs in crates in their house all day?

people like that don't need a dog...they need room to exercise...i would report them in some places that's considered neglect...

Well, people keep dogs in crates when they are AWAY from the house, such as at work or out shopping. Why? Because they do not want to come back and find their sofa chewed up. Many responsible dog owners crate their dogs when they are away, sometimes at night too, but I have never heard of a dog being crated for a whole day. That is preposterous. The thing you have to understand is, dogs are natural den creatures. A crate to them is like a den. They like being in their crate. It makes them feel safe, and at home. Also, a dog crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up in, and turn around in, and stretch out in. Otherwise its too small.

The bottom line is, Dogs are not people. Yes, it is mean to cage up a person, but its the nicest thing you can do to a dog, especially a puppy. Better to put a dog in a crate than send them to the pound because they wouldn't stop chewing the floor when you're at work. Also, a crate is a great tool to use when housetraining a dog, since dogs hate to soil their den. A crate makes housetraining much easier and take less time.

I hope you understand now that crates are a good thing for dogs (although if you know anyone that keeps a dog in a crate for 24 hours a day, thats ridiculous, you should report them to a humane society).

Besides, when you think about it, a crate is really no different from a crib.

Two things are going on here.

First, dogs are den animals. They like to have a small, cozy, protected space to rest in or get away from too much stimulation. They should be able to stand in their crate without touching the top or sides, turn around, and lay down comfortably. A properly sized crate is an asset to a dog.

Second, you are right that it's cruel to confine a dog to a crate for excessive periods of time. A dog should not be confined in his crate for more than 3-4 hours at a time unless it is overnight or on a plane. And even then, those periods should be occasional, not daily.

Dogs need exercise and mental stimulation. They are active, intelligent creatures. Excessive use of a crate is abusive.

ETA: If the dog is not yet fully trained, crating is safer for the dog. But this is a temporary solution.

My opinion is that I would never do it to my dogs. I do have some very good friends that keep their dogs in large crates. The dogs have plenty of room and get lots of time outside the crate, but they are still in there for most of the day. I know how much they love their dogs and the dogs don't seem to mind. If I were to go away, she would be the person I would leave my dog with. I know that he would get more attention there so the crate thing vs. a kennel wouldn't bother me.

I don't agree with the situation that you described. If a dog is going to be kept in a crate, it needs to have adequate room to move around.

I think it really depends on how often the people are home. Some dogs need to be crated, especially when they're being housebroken, but usually, if someone is around to watch the dog, they should be let out. If there is no one around, dogs are usually crated while they're being housebroken, however, if the dogs are already housebroken, they really shouldn't be kept in the crates. Sometimes, pets may like the crates and use it as their bed, but still should have some time to exercise, etc.

With my dog, when he was a puppy and in the process of being housebroken, he had to be crated, but then as he grew older, it upgraded to a little pen. Then when he was housebroken (he did have a few accidents here and there though), he was let out into the house. Now he roams freely around the house.

I personally wouldn't keep dogs in crates for extended periods of times that are unreasonable. If the dogs are housebroken, they should be let out of the crates unless they like to sleep in there (not many dogs do) or if the dogs are being trained to stay in the crate when they are travelling.

Are you talking about when they are at work?

If so these animals are crate trained. The crate is only supposed to be big enough for the dog to stand and turn around. Dogs are den animals and many dogs feel safe in their crates. Most trainers advocate crate training. If you google it, you will find more information.

If these dogs are literally in a crate 24/7 and only let out to eliminate, then, yes, this is in my opinion, animal abuse. But because the animals have food, water, and shelter, the police would not consider it animal abuse.

That's pretty terrible, and really, no dog should have to live it's life like that. Dogs should be loved pets- they should have freedom around the house, and in the yard. Keeping them cooped up in a cage all day is really disgusting, and yeah, those dog's cannot be happy about it. Depending on the breed, they may be absolutely going nuts with pent up energy. I don't understand why these people would even want a dog, let alone two, if all they do is sit in a crate all day. Please question these people about why they do this, and if it ends up being as bad as it sounds, I'd urge them to consider finding another home for them.

I had to go back to work full time while my english springer was still alive......and I felt leaving her alone, even tho she was aged by then and slept all day, was cruel. Didn't have the choice. When she passed I told the kids no dogs while I had to work because dogs are not like cats, they are very social and to leave them alone for extended periods of time isn't right, IMO.

Now I used to gate the dog in my very large country kitchen...and run home from work on my lunch to take her out/check on her. No crate.

To crate a dog all day and expect them to 'hold it' for many hours? NO way. Unless you are travelling with the dog, I don't see the point of caging the poor animal up like that....it's cruel.

I have never crated...I do not even own one. I housebreak the old fashioned way..I work with the dog....I teach them. I don;t stuff them in a cage so they have no choice but to hold it and take them out to empty their bursting bladder/bowels....how is that training/teaching?

I am retired so I can stay home with a dog. I curently have a papillon. He is house TRAINED....he doesn't sit in a crate for hours unable to relieve himself. I took the time and patience to TEACH him how to be housebroken, not crate the dog so he has to hold then then take him out and let himself relieve himself, which is automatic since he's 'full'.

Where's the real training in that?

I don't think crating is cruel BUT having a dog in a crate all night (8 hours and over) as well as being in a crate all day at work (8 to 12 hours) is EXTREMELY cruel and must cause anxiety for the dog.

if they cant even move around in them then thats wrong. the crate should be big enough for them to stand up in, lie down in, stretch in and turn around in. i mean do the poor dogs even get to go out for a walk. people who lock a dog in a crate almost 24.7 and only take it out to the loo, they should have gotten a hamster or something that lives in a cage. dogs are not meant to live in a cage

If the people are at home,then the dogs should be out running around the house.If they are just leaving them in there when they are at work,then it's OK if the dogs are destructive or not housebroken,but if they are adult dogs and housebroken,they should be allowed to have free run of the house,or at least have a room just for them so they can at least walk around.