Page 37 - Online Spring 2022 Newsletter

ranging from preventing house soiling human which he does even at the
and destructive behaviour to it being expense of his own happiness. How
for their own good to prevent fights can he equate this in his mind with
with other dogs in the home. Frankly being caged and not see it as the
all cases could be cured by either worst ever punishment that he must
training or rehoming if you have a endure at our bidding? That is why
situation you really can’t control. our breed more than most can and
do suffer from stress and depression
If used correctly, though, crates have
when isolated from human company
their place; for travelling, dog shows
and vet issues for example. One as they have the intellect to
covered with a blanket, with the internalise their own unhappiness in
door kept open and a bed inside, their attempt to try and please us.
can be a safe quiet space for your dog He’s not going to want to be locked
to choose to go knowing he won’t be in a cage through choice, is he?
disturbed and that can be a good So there we have it; where we
thing but it’s worlds away from are with crates today. But things
locking him in and leaving him alone are changing as new information
because insufficient effort has been permeates through and will change
put into training him to feel safe, here too. Sweden and Finland have
behave and be clean in the home made crate training illegal which says
when left alone. Even those who it all really. Their regulations forbid
advocate their use in puppy training shutting dogs in crates or enclosures
feel you shouldn't be needing to shut below 22 sq ft for a small dog - 59 sq
dogs in anymore after the age of two. ft for a large one other than for
travelling and dog shows (when they
But sadly this is what some owners
are doing and despite RSPCA advice must be walked every 2-3 hours) or
that if crates are used adults should in exceptional cases when a dog is
not be shut in for longer than 3-4 recovering after surgery or trauma.
hours at a time and puppies only 1-2 Both of these countries have
hours, and definitely not used at all consistently been ahead of the game
if dogs show any sign of separation in animal welfare and where they lead
anxiety, stress or claustrophobia, this the others follow.
in not being adhered to. Dogs are Sometimes we’re all guilty of doing
being shut in overnight, shut in all things we haven’t really thought
day while owners are at work etc. through but when given new
and people think it okay if the dog information and a fresh perspective
appears settled - but it is not okay. we see things differently and want to
It’s worth reiterating here, that this change our behaviour and so we do.
is not normal behaviour for dogs - I’d like to think this article will help
they are not den dwellers and even if the few it touches to do just that and
they were, these are not dens they stop using crates as cages for their
are cages and far smaller than what own convenience.
has long ago been outlawed as For me, if only one Keeshond lives a
‘inhumane’ in factory farming. freer, happier life because of it it’s
worth any flack I may get from daring
The Kees is particularly vulnerable to
quietly suffering crate abuse because to write on the subject.
Further reading:
we’ve bred deep into his psyche his 'Why confining a dog to a crate is wrong' - Dr. Mark
job of being a companion animal and (2 Apr 2021), Pethelpful.com
'Dogs are not den animals' - Pet MD
he has a need to try to please his Canine Stockholm Syndrome - fearfuldogs.com
37 'Why I hate crates' - article PETA
'Is your dog a prisoner in her own home?' - article PETA