Is 8 hours a day too long to crate?

[kgroo]

Crating

I agree with Titus-and-me - dogs that are properly introduced to the crate, and who are well interacted with when they come out do very well. Our crate is wire also, which is very convenient for traveling, as it folds up. We take Rex with us everywhere, and especially when camping, the crate helps him control his excitement. Before the crate, he ran in and out of the tent all night, and barked all night. Now he has his own tent (with the kids) and sleeps in his crate. No barking and no chasing around the forest in the wee hours! he needs a little help with self control, so crating is the perfect solution -FOR US. Just like people dogs are individuals, and maybe for some folks the situation is different.

Dont stress out about it - go with what works for You and Your Dog!

Rex looks forward to us going to work in the morning, we always put him in with a small treat; if I end up working from home he gets distressed and confused until I treat him in his cage - it doesnt matter that I dont shut the door, he is very dependent on ritual, which is part of our success with crating him - our ritual rarely changes, but when it does, we take him into account.

Our baby is a big ol' boxer - 26 inches at the shoulder, over 90 pounds (not fat though) and still growing! When he sits the white on his chest forms a perfect star! He's fawn/blackfaced. We adore him, and

 

[jzs]

I agree with Brooklin dan and Jicksies that boxers are very social aminals more than any other breed they need to be with people more than just a few hours a night!!!! i am sorry if this walks on peoples toes,but if you love boxers and understood them you would never crate them all day... exception to this would be if you arrangeed for some one to come in and do daily walks otherwise boxers should be with people that have time for their extreme need for human contact!!!!

 

[EMWAZ]

jzs how can you critique anyone's individual situation without really knowing or seeing the dogs????

 

[jzs]

emwaz you are right i don't know everyones situation, however i do know and understand boxers, they suffer emotionally when left alone to long, so that is why i suggest to people who need to work all day have someone come in during the day!!

 

[EMWAZ]

How do they suffer and how do you know??? Have you ever had a crate trained dog before? What if they spend the entire day loose, in the house when your at home, sleeping, mine have been that tired before.

 

[jzs]

emwaz all you have to do is read the right books about the breed you would know their specific needs i think that people just pick a type of dog and assume it will fit into their needs without really considering the dogs needs! and this is all i have to say on this matter. boxers need more contact during the day. and yes i have had a crated boxer she died 3 months ago at the age of 4 with cm.

 

[EMWAZ]

What books? I have one more for you. If the crate is so bad why did my 12 1/4 yr old go there when he was sick with th splenic tumor. When he was heathly he had been crated in there for a long periods when necessary. When he was in pain before we had to have him put down, he went to his crate on his own.....

 

[Alisha Mobley]

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with crating. I crate mine during the day when my husband and I are both at work (3 times a week) and at night while we sleep. All the Boxer books I have read do recommend crating them while your away and at night for house training purposes. A crate provides your dog with their own "den". This is where the animal feels secure and safe. I leave the doors open to the crates when mine are out and many times they go in their crates to rest or just to chew a toy. They each have their own crate and can go there to get away from each other. It is very natural for a dog to have a "den" or some sort of a closed in area. Tyson is 2 1/2 years old and had never been in a crate until about 4 months ago. He took to it very well, he runs to it if he gets startled and is always the first one to go in at night. For Tyson to take to the crate at an older age shows how natural and instinctive it is for a dog to have a crate. Once I start breeding mine I do not want any of my pups to go to a home where they are not provided with a crate. They don't have to be locked in but I will recommend the new owners purchase one before bringing home the puppy to aid in house training and for the pups own security.

I don't feel 8 hrs a day is too long to crate provided as soon as you get home you let your Boxer out and include it in the rest of your evening.

[Edited by Alisha Mobley on 02-13-2001 at 04:56 PM]

 

[jicksies]

Okay That's IT!

Crating a dog for eight hours a day is sick. Plain and simple. IF you DON"T like hearing this, well then ignore it.Rationalize all you want...Justify all you want... Bottom line...IT's WRONG. Put yourself in a crate for eight hours and see how you like it. Sheesh. IT IS WRONG WRONG WRONG. Crating is a great training tool...for SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. Don't crate your dog for eight hours pleaseeeeeeee....it breaks my heart to hear people actually do this to their dogs. Think about it...just think about it...

 

[kgroo]

Different Strokes

If you go to 7 doctors, you will get 7 different opinions.

MY DOG, my own personal, well loved and well adjusted boxer, is the laziest dog on the planet. He is SO laid back. Even if we are home all day, he SLEEPS in his CRATE on his OWN, ALL Day.

NOW!!! IF you have a dog - any type, not just boxer, that is a real Tigger, bouncing and energentic and athletic, DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THAT DOG!!! That may mean not crating.

Most of us that crate have well adjusted well socialized dogs. They get breaks when we can give them. I personally would rather have my boxer home in his crate when it's 20 degrees or 90 degrees outside, that way I can control his environment. I wouldn't leave him in the yard, even if he does have plenty of shade, water and a very nice dog house.

So take your situation, tailor it to Your Dog and Your personality and make it work.

I wish people in general would spend this much time agonizing over whether they are doing the right thing for their kids or their aging parents!

God Bless All!