Simply because they aren’t — period. If they were den animals, why then would we have to teach them to use and enjoy a crate?
Even though dogs occasionally prefer quiet areas, this is not the same as their natural desire to enter a den. They simply want to find a quiet place to rest, just like I do when a gathering is too busy and I leave for some peace and quiet outside.
Dog training has evolved for the better in myriad ways. However, anything that evolves without critical thought can go awry.
Although it may be a necessary training tool, crate training does not have to be a way of life. If a dog hasn’t been properly trained to use a crate, it can also be very detrimental to the mental health of a developing puppy or an adult dog.
Steven Lindsay writes in his book Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training that while:
I’m going to refer to this as a cage rather than a crate because that is exactly what it is. Crates are simply cages with a softer name. I never heard of this kind of training growing up; when did we as a culture become ok with putting dogs in cages; why haven’t we questioned this, but instead made it the new normal. Puppy gates were used to keep dogs in a specific room only while they were puppies, gradually opening the door as they got older.
Let’s talk about this paradigm shift toward cage training. When both parents started working and there was no one at home to raise the puppy, cage training actually started. Do families today go without a dog if they want one but no one stays home during the day? Hopefully not. However, the misuse of cages is undoubtedly causing harm to many dogs and creating issues for the entire family, including when the “problem dog” ends up in a shelter where he or she will either need to be rehomed repeatedly or, worse yet, put to death. If puppies are kept inside during meals or whenever guests arrive, how can they learn good socialization and manners?
Due to this single but profound cultural shift in how families raise their dogs, dog parks, doggie daycare, dog walkers, and even dog trainers are becoming more and more popular. These alternatives have thankfully become a way out of the crate because we know in our hearts that dogs can’t be content spending hours in a cage.
When used properly and when necessary, a crate can be an effective training tool, but it shouldn’t be something they spend all day in. Being physically or mentally stressed out is not good for them, especially when the family is spending time together. Dogs are social animals. After all, don’t we adopt dogs into our families?
I have never used a crate for training. Not in 38 years as a professional trainer. Because I brought my Labrador, Charlie, with me when I moved to France in the middle of the 1970s, I did use a crate. He had never seen a crate, but I was aware that he would need to travel in one. I spent the month leading up to our departure acclimating him to it. No problem. We never saw it again after he traveled in it; I believe I left it at the airport.
The argument in favor of crates is frequently made that a dog feels secure in one, similar to a wolf den. A wolf is also not a den animal, to be clear. When giving birth and raising their young, they do use maternal dens for protection, but they begin living in the open at around 10 weeks of age, which is right around the time we start crate-training puppies.
Although I recognize the need for a dog to feel secure, I also realize that they can do so on the couch, in another room, under the table, on their bed, etc. They can feel safe outside of a cage, too. I want to emphasize once more and emphatically that crate training is not the same as puppy training and is not required because they are not den animals.
Another defense I’ve heard is that in an emergency, a dog should feel secure in its crate. Okay, so if there’s an emergency and the whole family has to fit in the car, is there going to be room for a crate? Or what if the car isn’t available because a tree fell on it, so you have to go somewhere on foot? You get the idea. A puppy who has been properly raised will feel secure with you no matter what happens.
You can teach your dog to be alone in your home without causing damage or experiencing separation anxiety if you meet its needs with physical activity and appropriate training. Knowing that your dog will feel safe and secure at home while you’re away will give you peace of mind.
I’m aware that this column will elicit a lot of strong responses, but please understand that my goal is to encourage readers to consider the use of crates critically rather than to judge others for their decisions. There are alternative methods you can use to raise a puppy.
Author bio: Jill Breitner enjoys spending time with her friends and family and is an expert in dog body language. She is a member of the Pet Professional Guild and the creator of the smartphone app Dog Decoder, which decodes canine body language. Join Jill on her Dog Decoder Facebook page.
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How to potty-train a puppy without a crate
You can successfully potty train your dog even if you decide that crate training isn’t for you. Here’s how.
Step 2: Designate an official potty area
Take your dog to the same bathroom location whenever you take him outside. He will be less likely to use other areas of your yard because he will associate that one with the bathroom thanks to the smell of his urine and waste.
Step 3: Practice with longer crating periods
You can confine your dog to the crate for brief periods of time while you are home once they are eating their regular meals there without displaying any signs of fear or anxiety.
FAQ
Is it okay to not crate train a puppy?
A dog doesn’t need a crate to survive. It is not absolutely needed. It is highly advised and beneficial for your puppy’s health to be crate trained. I think each puppy parent should make choices that fit their way of life, their living situation, and their dog.
Should I put my 8 week old puppy in a crate at night?
Under no circumstances take the puppy to bed with you. This will form a very undesirable habit. Trust me, it’s hard to resist when your puppy cries all night, but it’s crucial to keep him in his crate.
Is it cruel to crate a puppy at night?
It is not cruel to crate your dog at night. In fact, a lot of dogs enjoy going into their crates at night because they feel safe there.
What are the cons of crate training?
Cons of crate training your dog Lack of space to stand and stretch can cause, among other things, limb stress and sores. No matter the size of the crate, staying too long in a small area can encourage bad behavior instead of curtailing it.