Crating Your Dog: Is It Cruel to Confine Dogs?

In a recent poll, the majority of readers indicated they seldom if ever crate their dogs. Twenty one percent reported they crate for special circumstances only, fourteen percent said they crated their dog at first but not anymore, nineteen percent said they confine their dog to one safe room, thirty percent said they never crate their dog, while sixteen percent reported they leave their dog crated all day while they're away at work.

Is dog crating cruel?

Dog crates can be a good thing. But, as with anything, too much of a good thing can be bad. The question is: how much is too much? There seems to be a wide range of opinions and the question truly may not have one definitive answer. For instance, an aging hound may be more satisfied sleeping in a crate for a longer period than would a 2 year old Border Collie.

However, it's natural for dogs to seek the security of a den. I'm sure you've noticed how they like to nap under beds or tables. Crates can provide that security, as well as protection, for them. A crated dog cannot chew electrical wires, taste household cleaners or ruin the carpet.

One popular analogy is the baby in a playpen, but just as babies should not spend a continuous nine or ten hours confined alone, dogs shouldn't either. And while babies use diapers, dogs often have to just 'hold it' for nine or ten hours. Very old dogs and very young dogs may be quite uncomfortable waiting. A good general rule for puppies under 6 months is to provide a potty break every hour for every month of age.

Imagine yourself having to wait from 7:45 am to 5:15 pm every day to go to the bathroom or even stretch your legs for just three steps. Day in and day out, this, along with confusing corrections, separation anxiety and other things can become a source of extreme stress.

For those who absolutely must crate their dogs for extended periods, the experience can be made more pleasant by:

The copyright of the article Crating Your Dog in Dog Training is owned by Joy Butler. Permission to republish Crating Your Dog in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

May 26, 2008 9:30 PM

Angela England :

What I have found is that open access to their own crate is a great way for an overstimulated or tired dog to "Retreat". We are a mostly stay-at-home family and do not use our crates for restraining a dog over long periods. What we HAVE done is to teach our children - even from crawling and toddling ages - that the dog's crates are totally off limits to them. This creates a safe, "kid free" zone for our dogs when they want a break from the kids. Now if only they made "Mommy-crates"!

Aug 22, 2008 6:41 PM

Guest :

My neighbors have their dogs crated out back.
They've been crated for 98 hours and the SPCA doesn't see a problem with that.
Even if they were being taken care of and walked for a half hour once a day and the cages cleaned it-wouldn't you still consider this to be cruel? Well the Philadelphia SPCA doesn't.
They say it's like when your pet is at the vet office. They keep them in those crates for many hours.
So, crating your pet for 100+ hours or more is fine with the Philadelphia SPCA.

Aug 25, 2008 10:50 AM

Guest :

the way i see it..putting your dog in a crate is better than having it euthinized at a shelter.. people say dont get a dog if you cant spend alot of time with it..well most normal people work 8 hour days..as long as you make sure the pup gets pleanty of walking and excerise during the morning and at night and keep up with its vet visits..food water toys..the dog should be fine. If everyone who wokred a 9-5 job didn't get adopt a dog...there would be alot more dead dogs in the world... I worked at a kennel for a long time too..they let the dogs out 2 times a day for walks thats it... you have to be willing to spend time with the dig when you are home before and after work....I take my dog for an hour walk in the am and in the pm.she is outside with us for hours playing ball..

Mar 4, 2009 2:52 PM

Guest :

I would never crate a dog. There is such a thing as quality of life. If I had to be created 9 hours a day, I rather be dead. It would be worst than being in prison. If you can't keep your dog in a dog run or in a safe room, get a gold fish. These are highly intelligent life forms, they do not like being left alone for hours in an area were they cannot move or have to hold going outside at your leisure.

May 4, 2009 1:09 PM

Guest :

Isn't a safe room just large crate?

Jun 26, 2009 8:54 PM

Guest :

Dogs don't think/behave like humans. They have different preference. You don't like digging your backyard and sniffing into the hole, do you? "I wouldn't want to be in a crate" is a very, very ignorant and silly remark. They like having a den- a crate, if used properly (i wouldn't keep a dog in a crate for 10+ hours straight) it's a safe place for themselves where they can rest without distractions.