If you’re a first-time dog owner, or just unfamiliar with crate dog at night, there’s a good chance that a pit in the stomach is already forming. You’ve probably seen it before: dogs curled up in their crates, barking incessantly, as though they were being tormented. Is it cruelty to crate a dog in the dark? Absolutely not. Crate dog at night is one of the most misunderstood concepts when it comes to pet ownership, and I hope this brief article helps to set the record straight.
The first time I heard about “crating” dogs while reading about dog training, I was surprised. It struck me as very similar to what we used to call “homeschooling.” Back then, the concept of “housetraining” involved letting your dog sleep in an unsupervised area of the house (some dogs were even allowed to sleep in their crates, so long as they were inside for only a few hours at a time). Most owners would praise their puppies or dogs when they showed exemplary behavior and then allow them to roam free when they were done, thus achieving “house training.”
The question then was, is crating a puppy or dog during the nighttime a form of animal neglect? The answer is no, not cruel at all. Crates are excellent tools for housetraining dogs, and a necessary component to effective dog socialization. It is also completely normal for dogs to feel anxious when they are placed into a cage or crate. As long as the dog is given enough exercise and human contact, crate dog at night is perfectly acceptable.
Crates are also useful for owners who are away for an extended period of time. If you leave your dog at home and are not able to make it out for a number of hours during the day, it is natural for him to become anxious and need to be crated. A dog cannot process his feelings if he is left alone in his crate for longer than 8 hours at a time. This causes negative associations with being alone, which leads to emotional stress and anxiety. A dog will never crate to escape punishment, but will rather try to stay close to the owner until he is allowed to go outside.
If you are crate dog at night, be sure to put the dog back in its crate before you return for the evening. Leaving a dog alone in its crate for more than eight hours is extremely inhumane. If you are taking your dog for a walk, take it straight back to its crate to sleep. Leaving a dog alone for a period of time may lead to behavioral issues and crate training during the daytime.
An older dog or a dog that is nervous and/or timid can easily become anxious and restless when being crated for a long period of time. This could develop into destructive behavior such as barking, whining, and jumping. An older dog that is fearful could become fearful or nervous around new people or items that it sees as threatening. A dog that is crated too long could also hurt itself trying to avoid being crated or eating while crated.
The most important thing to remember when caring for a dog crate is to not let it out. If a dog is excited, it may want to escape the dog crate. However, do not leave the dog unattended. You should never leave the dog crated for any length of time, unless you are taking it out for a walk.
As previously mentioned, crating can be very beneficial, but it is not cruel in and of itself. The main concern is that it takes away from the dog’s actual physical and mental stimulation. Crates can be a great way to provide your pet with a safe and fun place to play, sleep, or rest. However, they should not be relied upon solely to provide mental stimulation. It is not cruel to crate your dog if you are doing so for your own benefit. You may find that by removing the physical confinement, your pet will feel more secure and comfortable being crated.