Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi everyone,

i know a guy who keeps his puppy locked in the travelling cage the entire day when he is at work (no bigger than 2 times the dog's length), and at night for sleep. the dog is out of the cage no more than 3 hrs. average a day. and he covers the top of the cage at night. he says the vet said it is ok to keep it in the cage, but this seems so wrong to me. can you tell me if the vet is wrong? thanks a million.

I personally think it's wrong. I feel bad if my boys don't get AT LEAST 7 hours out of their cages everyday. It would be better if he could have a room to be in or at least a playpen....plus Chi's are very social dogs and love to be with their people. If he wants a pet just to hang out with every once in a while, he should get a bird or a hamster or something more along those lines. Dogs are meant to be more like family, not caged like rodents.....

>>hi everyone,
>>
>>i know a guy who keeps his puppy locked in the travelling cage the entire day when he is at work (no bigger than 2 times the dog's length), and at night for sleep. the dog is out of the cage no more than 3 hrs. average a day. and he covers the top of the cage at night. he says the vet said it is ok to keep it in the cage, but this seems so wrong to me. can you tell me if the vet is wrong? thanks a million.

>>>>>>

Regular veterinarians are not trained in behavior. Among other problems, doing this can make a dog started being unable to tolerate a crate without freaking out, and can cause separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is horrible for the dog. The crate should be used only when there is no better option. Confining the dog to a portable exercise pen or a small room with a baby gate across the doorway is much safer. It's also medically dangerous--and in some states illegal!--to deprive a dog of free access to water.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I personally wouldn't do it. The poor pup isn't getting enough mental stimulation or physical stimulation.

I try to get my puppies housetrained very early so they minimally can have run of the house at night (or in my room) once they are reliable.

It's tecnically "OK" to keep a dog this way as long as they are getting to go potty regularly, it is less than ideal though in my opinion.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles