What do you think about people who get dogs and then leave them in cages/carriers for 12 hours a day? Should they be charged with abuse?

A crate is a very useful tool for supporting the training of a dog.

However, like all tools, if you do not use it correctly, you will negate the benefit!

I too am always amazed when a person is whining that their dog/puppy made a big mess in the crate and now both dog and crate need a scrub.

When asked how long was the dog in the crate and they say 6, 8, 10, 12 hours...I have to laugh at them and ask HOW LONG...CAN YOU HOLD IT? (dumbass!)

Just so that they understand...I usually challenge them to eat and drink as they NORMALLY DO...BUT...do not go to the bathroom AT ALL from the time they leave their home, until the time they come back home at the end of the day.

You'd be surprised how many immediately decide that I AM DAFT and refuse to try this! The few that have tried it...called me as I requested about 5 hours into their day, frantic to go pee, at the least! They got it!

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From Potty 101:
THE FORMULA: number of months old + 1 hour is about how long your pup MIGHT successfully “hold it.” (3 month old puppy + 1 hr = 4 hours MIGHT HOLD IT)

This does not mean that an older dog can keep from having an accident for over eight, ten or twelve hours. A dog/puppy/for that matter, anyone, drinking a healthy amount of water and eating a healthy amount of food, will need to GO POTTY in a reasonable time frame. How long can YOU hold it, if you are drinking and eating normal, healthy amounts? I would bet you’d want to visit a bathroom for something during an eight hour time period!

The Formula is merely a guideline as to the development of your puppy’s body ability. It’s not written in stone. If you are crate training your pup, it gives you a reasonable time frame to consider if you or someone needs to visit the pup during the workday for a mid-day potty break or two.
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The use of a Crate, an X-pen or even Baby Gates to keep your pup or dog safely away from carpeted areas and furniture that might get chewed, is a GREAT IDEA..
IF...you use it correctly!

However, using it incorrectly is not ONLY ABUSIVE, it also will accidentally TRAIN YOUR DOG OR PUP..to NOT use the normal instinct of not going potty where they sleep/eat!

Puppy Mill puppies are often no longer "in touch" with the concept of not going potty where they sleep and eat because they have been subjected to LIVING in an enclosed space, like a cage, crate, or other confining area! THEY NO LONGER CARE WHERE THEY GO POTTY AT ALL, THEY LAY IN IT, AND EVEN EAT IT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED to live WITH IT!

So, by all means DO use a crate, X-pen or baby gates...
but understand SOMEONE needs to show up and take the puppy or dog out for a potty break, you or a pet sitter, friend, family member...you can not reasonably expect an animal to just HOLD IT for hours on end!

Anything over 8 hours is starting to push the limit!

And if you are crate training...PLEASE..make sure your dog/puppy also gets some really excellent play times..
A good run and romp...some active intentional TRAINING activities...this not only exercises the animal's body, it also provides stimulating challenges for the brain!

And...this adds to your bond with your dog, because you train with Positive Reinforcement using PRAISE AND TREATS that teaches the dog the BENEFITS to learning, how to learn, and that YOU are the source of ALL GOOD THINGS!

The Crate as a tool is not bad at all, it is good.

Unfortunately...some people seem to lack the mental agility to be REASONABLE with the correct USE of this tool! THOSE PEOPLE....should not be allowed to own a TURD, let alone an animal!