Cage users...

[Winterdaysarehere]

Personally I have never used a cage /crate. I am currently at my new cleaning job. Long term, hours to suit, wages fine.
But. The dh works from home upstairs, the dw is out every day she told me - with dc.. The terrier it seems spends it's day in a bare cage barely big enough to lie down. So far I have spent 5 mins on that room and left with feelings of guilt!
I asked to meet it in interview but was told it was in the cage while dc had their tea. Told emphatically it wasn't allowed upstairs as they have just moved in and it's the new rule. Fair enough.
Asked today to meet it as hardly fair to see a stranger and feel uneasy /excited etc from behind bars imo.
Again ddog was in it's cage but only for 2 hours the dh said.
I feel very uncomfortable to the point, A- I don't want to hoover in there, and B if I even want to work for such people!
My ddogs don't have full access to our home unsupervised but a bare cage is far far from my ddoggy owner /lover style...
Am hoping the dw comes home soon and let's it out!! Am I being daft??
It was all waggy and I feel rubbish!!

[MaitlandGirl]

The only time mine are put away when we’re in the house is if we’re bringing shopping in from the car (so the front door is open) or if there’s only one person at home and they’re having a shower during the day.

Other than than (and food times - due to different diets) they’re loose in the house, usually asleep on the sofa or in the beanbags!!

I wouldn’t feel comfortable having the dogs shut away like that while I was at home, and less so when there was a stranger in the house. Poor puppy, makes you wonder when he’s let out.

[pigsDOfly]

It sounds like they're using the crate as a way of keeping the dog out of their way, and for far too long.

Poor dog. I can understand why you found this upsetting.

I had a crate for my dog when she was a puppy for when I had to go out, usually not longer than it took to go to the supermarket, so that I knew she wouldn't be able to chew anything and hurt herself. It was also used overnight. And she always had a bed and blanket in there and a toy or two.

I very soon realised she was not going to chew things and she was given free run of the house, which is as it should be.

Very cruel to keep a dog caged up like that.

[Winterdaysarehere]

The dw came back after I had been here 3 hours. Ddog caged the 3 hours. I suggested it may need a wee before I mopped the floor... It was taken by the collar to the door, a wee and a poo later taken for a drink and back in the cage.
The dc paid it no attention at all. Obviously no relationship with it.
Had an email from the dh asking how I felt the job had gone. Said it had been hard not letting the ddog out as I like chatting with ddogs while I work. Until they get a gate on the stairs I fear the poor thing is doomed to the cage.
What's sadder is she works at a pet care centre...
Have a week to consider my position...

[PrayingandHoping]

Clear misuse of a crate.... poor thing.

Hopefully they'll realise the dog is an "inconvenience" and rehome him 😕

[Floralnomad]

Definitely misuse of a cage however I think that this type of behaviour is way more widespread than people would like to believe . Unfortunately the rise in popularity of dog cages has made it as convenient to own a dog as a hamster or guinea pig , indeed it’s probably easier because you don’t need to clean them out .

[Medievalist]

I loathe dog cages with a passion because they allow such horrific abuse by heartless owners.

How awful for you op.

[LucaFritz]

That's so wrong! Dogs shouldn't be left home alone for that amount of time any way especially not caged up like that with no toys or comforts my dog had a cage for training as a puppy that he slept in overnight and stayed in for max of an hour in the day or Id leave the door open and he'd take himself off to it for a sleep. I do believe in crating dogs as it gives them their own space and sense of security as well as helping with training but what they are doing is abuse! Doesn't the dog have a water bowl in the cage at least ? Mine had one that attached to the side so it didn't spill and he had his Vet Bed and appropriate chew toy to keep him happy. Why do they even have a dog

[Winterdaysarehere]

No toys, no drink. No blanket.
New house and old ddog not welcome it seems sadly...

[BonnyE]

Our greyhound has a crate in the living room that he loves. Door open pretty much all the time and he basically chooses to go in there. Can't get him out of the damn thing sometimes. Now the weather is cold if you open the door to go out he scurries off into it and then sits there looking at you with this "I'd rather stay here thanks" look. We do close the door on occasion (for example to keep him safe if front door open or if popping to shops for 20mins and he's in there anyway and comfy/happy. It's Also absolutely no go area for DD so he has his own space he knows he can go to). I think it depends on the dog and the situation. We were very surprised when he liked it so much but think maybe he associates it with feeling safe from his racing days. Who knows. From what you say it sounds like they might be over or misusing theirs.

[LucaFritz]

Id be reporting them if i were you op that's sickening

[Medievalist]

From what you say it sounds like they might be over or misusing theirs.

No shit Sherlock.

[Medievalist]

Those of you whose dogs like their cages are using them properly. I dread to think how many people misuse them for every one of you sensible dog owners.

It would also be interesting - but impossible - to weigh up how much harm comes to dogs who have not been caged when their owners are out, and how much harm comes to dogs who have been incarcerated for unacceptably long and regular periods. For every dog that chews something harmful (not sure what that would be, but it's often given as a reason by cage users). I bet there are a lot that live utterly miserable lives.

I also think, if cages were banned, there would be a huge drop in irresponsible ownership because people wouldn't want a young dog chewing up their house, so might think twice before getting one.

As it is, it's far far too easy for people to get a cute puppy and then lock it up when they're out all day.

There are also ways of providing a safe space for a dog without it being a cage. Two of ours made their own dens behind sofas. I put blankets and a few toys behind the sofas and they're free to come and go.

[krustykittens]

There are also ways of providing a safe space for a dog without it being a cage. Two of ours made their own dens behind sofas. I put blankets and a few toys behind the sofas and they're free to come and go

I so agree with this. They should not be an automatic purchase, you don't HAVE to have crates with every dog. We only started using them as we have a very nervous bitch that was domineering our dog and she was making life miserable for him at night, bullying him out of his bed, peeing on his blankets then going back to her bed leaving him asleep on the hard floor! Now they have a crate each and she gets shut in at night and everyone is happier. But during the day they have the run of the house and it is up to them if they want to use their crates. I couldn't stay at this job, OP, and watch this poor puppy going through this. And she works at a pet centre?! Is it Pets at Home? I shudder to think of the advice she is giving puppy owners.

[Winterdaysarehere]

She is a veterinary nurse...

[krustykittens]

OMG!

[Winterdaysarehere]

I was trying to be vague...
Has made me feel like an accomplice tbh. Poor ddog was all waggy and hopeful when I did that room. Hasn't even got a view as it's down the side of a couch and the window has blinds.

[Medievalist]

Winter - could you at least let him out and make a fuss of him when you're there? Take a few treats for him? See if he wants a drink?

I get that you may not be in a position give the job up, but have you tried asking in a neutral tone why he needs to be in the cage so much? Where does he go for walks etc? I'm not sure I'd be able to bite my tongue 😞

[tabulahrasa]

“I also think, if cages were banned, there would be a huge drop in irresponsible ownership because people wouldn't want a young dog chewing up their house, so might think twice before getting one.”

I don’t, I think they’ll just get rid of that dog and then later on get another one... it’s pretty common with irresponsible owners tbh.

[MotherAbigail]

We had to get a crate for one of ours after an op, and he settled in it ok. We continued to crate him overnight (massive crate full of blankets and toys) because he is an anxious soul and pees everywhere otherwise and our other dog wouldn’t let him share his bed...but that poor little dog sounds neglected

[Winterdaysarehere]

I did suggest she looked like she needed a wee after 3 hours in there! She is an adult and quite tubby. Very lovely little ddog - may have to accidently knock the door with the vacuum. Will see if they have a gate fitted next week and she can be loose downstairs. Though why wfh and not want a companion I just don't grasp..
My ddogs just want to be an inch from me when I am busy.
Totally acceptable imo!!
Though remembering last Dec trying to paint my kitchen with 16 paws underfoot was tiresome!

[alwayscauseastir]

We only use ours when on holiday or if we stay at my mums. She isn't particularly a dog fan, so on an evening when everyone is in bed it's her preference that they are crated. We must stop a max of 3 days a year. They do cry as theyre not used to it, but soon settle. Likewise if we holiday in this country it is a rule on most sites that dogs must be crated in an evening.

Even when I'm at work I don't crate them, and my youngest can be quite destructive if left too long! I'd hate the thought of a dog being caged all the time, it's not natural.