Dog In Crate 12 Hours, Is This Cruel?

[lostforgottensoul]

For a high activity breed?

He isnt high active. He is a rather laid back dog whom makes a perfect apartment dog.

 

[brae]

i think it is useful to think whether we would like to be in a cage with no stimulation and v limited movement for 12 hours a day

 

[The Albatross]

He is a terrier by breed. Now really off the thread.

 

[brae]

i feel like that if a human was kept in these conditions it would be considered abuse so im confused as to why it should be any different for non human creatures

 

[Poofycat]

Very much disagree with @brae. Crate trained dogs are quite happy to be left in their crates. My dog leaps into his when I say the word. Dogs are not people. They don't need stimulation like we do. And they like having their own place where they feel safe. Left loose in the house they're constantly on guard. They're free to relax in their crate.

 

[digger]

I work in rescue, and I know we're probably a bit more vigilant about it, but we don't recommend leaving a dog on a regular basis for more than four hours, and part of the rehoming requirement will be that the prospective owner would need to have plans in place for a dog walker or someone else to care for the dog if they need to be away from the dog for longer periods of time on a regular basis.

Bear in mind that most of these are dogs who have had difficult experiences though already and likely some behaviour and separation issues.

The dog I have currently I wouldn't consider leaving more than five hours absolute max. My previous dog was older and more laid back and I could leave her home alone for a six to eight hour day on occasion, but wouldn't have done that regularly without someone to check in on her I don't think.

All dogs are different and you need to judge it based on your own dog, but with my rescue head on I need to say, while it may not be possible for this occasion, please do look at getting a walker for those ten and half hour shifts too.

 

[brae]

Very much disagree with @brae. Crate trained dogs are quite happy to be left in the...

for sure the crate can be a safe space. imo if its for more than a few hours it seems a bit much

 

[anonymous]

How about doggy daycare?

 

[lostforgottensoul]

@joeylittle and @desiderata310, when you have a moment do you guys have a thought. I know we were all talking about me crating him in general and becoming ok with it.

i feel like that if a human was kept in these conditions it would be considered abuse

I was, locked in a closet for days. Crating him in general is VERY hard for me. See: Is It Just f*cking Me? on how hard is was on me to not project myself to my dog and crate him in general.

I am trying to take what's useful and leave the rest but this is VERY hard for me in general. Please know that!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

doggy daycare?

None are open after 7pm. I work until 11pm.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

My dog leaps into his when I say the word.

So does mine. He always goes in on his own to chill. He opens the door with his nose.

Dogs are not people.

That was a hard fact for me to realize. He isnt me and its being hurt in his crate like i was the closet. He is doing much better and he also has BAD seperation anxiety and poops and pees all over the house if left out. In the crate he seems WAY more content and relaxed.

ETA to the above; I just have never gone over 10.5 hrs.

 

[Silver.]

When you train a dog with a crate, it becomes their comfort area.
But I have to agree, that crate isn't very spacious compared to the size of the dog. There isn't much space above him nor around him. I know this is upsetting to think about, especially because our pets are our families, but the dog spends almost half of every day in that crate, and it doesn't seem like a very fair life for the dog.
I do hope you can find someone to engage with the dog, take him for walks, play with him etc while you are working.
He is very adorable, can I ask his name?