I have noticed in several books and web sites that are giving pet advice that
there are two camps. Those who swear by crate training and those who think it
is cruel. I can see you are pretty passionate for the latter and that is fine.
I know that you mean well. Neither of them are right or wrong, just a
different approach in providing structure to a family member. I respect you on
that point not having a dog crated, but it is our choice and well within the
guidelines of how a dog should be treated, developed and maintained. Never
once have myself or Laurice crossed the line of abuse or cruelty. It makes me
sick when people abuse their animals. We haven't even come remotely close to
any form of abuse.
First off, our families' vet of 20 years recommends crating a puppy. The crate
for our puppy is for his protection and for his comfort. It is a place that is
sound, safe and secure. I do not want go to bed wondering if I am going to
inadvertently roll over on a two pound dog cause a range of injuries, trauma or
even death. I do not want to find our puppy injured by our cat, nor have his
intestines puncture by wooden splinters because he was trying to eat the
kitchen cabinets, nor am I going to have him found dead because he thought an
electrical cord was cool to chew through.
There is another point to have it for our twelve week old puppy Brutus. We
train him to use the potty this way. He is never more than three hours in that
crate at a time. Laurice and I are big animal lovers and if we thought for a
second that if was cruel, harming or eroding his existence as a domesticated
pet we would not do it. When Brutus is well and ready we will block him off
over night in the kitchen. When he is well and ready after letting him loose
in the kitchen we will have him through the house.
It is my belief that this message board is used for educational purposes to
promote the best life to a breed that gives so much. I believe that this
message board is to show off and sound off of how wonderful all our Chi's and
other pets are! I believe that this board gives constructive criticism to
those who ask those questions. People who make statements on this site are not
looking to be thrown in front of the bus. I do not believe that someone should
tell another person that they don't care about their family member. If we
didn't give two hoots less about Brutus, then we wouldn't be on this site
trying to find all the intimate details of this wonderful breed in order to
make our experience and Brutus's experience on this earth better. Furthermore,
we wouldn't of rescued a puppy unless we were 100% committed providing Brutus
with the best love and care possible.
I am off the soap box now. I mean no offense to anyone. I respect everyone,
but I could not let that comment go.
Steve
