To crate or not to crate

In our home we do not use crates on routine basis. The only time we have to use them when our females are in heat to protect them from unwanted pregnancy. We do have crates in the house and dogs at times choose to go in a kennel to chew a bone in privacy or just to have a nap. The door to a crate is always open.

Crating is a popular practice in Canada and USA but not as common in Europe. In Sweden it is illegal to crate dogs with the exception at shows and cars. Until I came to Canada I have never even seen a dog in a crate in the house.

Dogs are den animals and will avoid to eliminate where they sleep, thus, crating puppies became a convenient way to housebreak them. Then dog trainers began to recommend crating adults to avoid unwanted behavior.

Although, it seems many dogs "love" their crate, I think it is just a habit developed through positive crate training. In my opinion, it deprives dogs from opportunity to walk around and interact with their environment, which is a basic right of any animal. Besides, it is difficult to learn to behave in human world if the dog crated for prolonged periods of time. In my world, puppies restricted to a part of the house where they are safe but also free. They have easy access to outside door, sometimes they make it sometimes they don't but through the process they learn. Also, separating each dog to eat in the crate does not teach them behavior I most desire, NO FOOD AGGRESSION. While I do introduce young puppies to a crate due to the fact that many families choose to crate, I do not lock the door for longer then a few minutes.

Dogs are highly sociable pack animals who crave companionship. For us, dogs are our family members and they live as such.