Re: Dogs, Do you leave water in the crate?

[MichelleVW]

It horrifies me to think that people actually leave their pets for several hours without access to fresh water. Do you enjoy being thirsty? I know that I don't.

You can buy dishes that attached to the crate at any pet store. The crate that both of my dogs used came with little dishes that clipped onto the door.

I am seriously shocked at certain posters who I thought were complete animal lovers, but apparently neglect their animals on a regular basis. Some of these same posters are always giving advice on the various pet threads, and present themselves as being quite knowledgeable on the subject. Guess you really don't know what goes on behind closed (crate) doors.

It's not neglect to leave them in a crate for a few hours or overnight without water. Plus why would you give them a bunch of water with no access to the bathroom? Where I work it's hard to get bathroom breaks, so I don't drink anything at work, so if this human can go 8 hours (6 hours at work and the hour before and after work) without a drop of anything to drink, I am pretty sure my dog is fine those same hours. Hardly anything to be horrified about.

 

[lovemylife]

This is not always true, I have friends with puppies that were horrible to crate train and they did everything right. These dogs DID soil where they slept and no, the crate wasn't too large.


Our previous dog did this. He would urinate and deficate in his cage and roll around and smear it. It was disgusting. No food or water for him. Some dogs do make messes in their crates.

 

[IDoDis]

We've never left water in our dogs crates. They love their crates and often go in them even when we are home. It's their safe quiet place to nap or watch their world. We have the crates next to each other so the dogs can see one another, but the perimeter of the crates are covered and there's a dog bed on top. It gives them that dark cave appeal. Most dogs sleep when they are left alone.

Our dogs can sense when we are getting ready to leave the house. All I have to do is tell the kids to get their shoes on and the dogs go into their crates as if on cue. Or if they see me or DH grab our keys, they go into their crates. Sometimes I'm not even leaving the house -- just moving my keys!

I never gave my kids bottles or sippy cups in their cribs. This is no different.

 

[paintnolish]

We've never left water in our dogs crates. They love their crates and often go in them even when we are home. It's their safe quiet place to nap or watch their world. We have the crates next to each other so the dogs can see one another, but the perimeter of the crates are covered and there's a dog bed on top. It gives them that dark cave appeal. Most dogs sleep when they are left alone.

Our dogs can sense when we are getting ready to leave the house. All I have to do is tell the kids to get their shoes on and the dogs go into their crates as if on cue. Or if they see me or DH grab our keys, they go into their crates. Sometimes I'm not even leaving the house -- just moving my keys!

I never gave my kids bottles or sippy cups in their cribs. This is no different.

My dog does the same thing! If I put my shoes on to get the mail or some other sign of "leaving," he goes in his cage!We had a dog sitter once, and she was shocked that all you had to say was "cage" and he would go get into his cage.

 

[Jockaroo]

Dogs are creatures of habit. I am not at all surprised that many dogs run to their kennels when they see a family member pick up keys, put on a coat or put on shoes. I rarely crate my dog, but all I need to do is say her name and "kennel" and she runs into it. She also is conditioned to know that a Milk Bone will follow.

We really can debate the use of crates, but it really won't solve anything or change any minds, only bring out heated comments. Crates should be used a training tools, not prison. My current dog was used to a kennel and since she was not housetrained, she slept in the kennel at night when I couldn't watch her. She housetrained in 3 weeks because I kept her leashed to my side throughout the day (also she was an adult). I never worried about giving water at night--I'm not up drinking.

People do abuse the crates--no finger pointing to anyone on this thread. I knew a family that got a dog/pup and didn't like her messes. She was crated all night in a storage area under the stairs (a-la Harry Potter). She was let out, walked, fed and then back in the crate for an 8 hour plus work day. She had a couple of hours out of the crate in the evenings--if the family wasn't out socializing. Nice people, but that was way too extreme for the kenneling and I personally felt was abusive.

I know my comfort level for leaving my dog in a crate with and without water. My dog is only crated now when traveling any distance in the car or when she is visiting my mother's. My mom's place is very cluttered and I don't want my dog hurt if I am out of the house not watching. My mom doesn't have air conditioning, so she always gets water in her little crate crock--which she doesn't chew up, destroy, mess or spill. My husband may plan on being out for a couple of hours--but he runs on a separate time and two hours can be 4. I would rather risk a small mess, than have an uncomfortable, thirsty dog. Everything is out the door if the dog is older or has any health issues.

Crates have a good side and bad side. Just like most things. When not traveling, I do put my dog in an uncarpeted bathroom with a bed, toys and water bowl. I prefer that to the crate. My dog tends not to drink when I am not home. I come home and she rushes from one room to the kitchen to drink from that bowl. (We have multiple water bowls in the house for her.) My job is to keep my dog healthy, happy and safe. This is what works for me.

 

[sbell111]

Our dogs always have access to water. No exceptions.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My dog isn't crated but is gated into only having access to 3 rooms. She has water/food but doesn't eat (and I believe, drink) anything while I'm gone. On the weekends if I am home all day she never drinks (she sleeps all day so she can be crazy all afternoon and night ). She normally only drinks water when we come back from walks and when she eats (usually around 5-7 p.m.) and later at night.

 

[CathrynRose]

It horrifies me to think that people actually leave their pets for several hours without access to fresh water. Do you enjoy being thirsty? I know that I don't.

You can buy dishes that attached to the crate at any pet store. The crate that both of my dogs used came with little dishes that clipped onto the door.

I am seriously shocked at certain posters who I thought were complete animal lovers, but apparently neglect their animals on a regular basis. Some of these same posters are always giving advice on the various pet threads, and present themselves as being quite knowledgeable on the subject. Guess you really don't know what goes on behind closed (crate) doors.

I am absolutely an animal lover. All animals. Love them.

Charley (our oldest dog) at 4 years has access to water, food, beds, couches, chew toys, stuffed animals, anything he wants - he has full run of the house.

Hazel (our newest addition and adopted 2 weekends ago) at 4 months old, does not. She is crated while we are gone, and currently no, we do not have water in her crate. She is not fully potty trained. I don't want her to have to sit in her own pee all day. And right before she goes in, she gets a helping of food, and guzzles down some water - she's taken outside, does her business, and into the crate she goes, with a Kong stuff with peanut butter.

Until we know she won't be peeing on herself, she won't have water in there. Later on, down the road, she may or may not. She's never in there for that long.

When all they're doing is laying around, their need for water isn't too high. Our home is always a comfortable temp, and I know she'll be okay for a few hours with out water. I am.

 

[marcyinPA]

I just came home from being out for about an hour and a half. When I left, my dog was sleeping in his crate, with the door wide open. When I came home, he was in the exact same spot. I wish I had a "nanny cam" so I could see if he got out at all!