Worried about friend and new dog

[AChocolateDigestive]

Disclaimer- I hate animals! But..

My friend just fulfilled a life long dream lol of getting a dog. She's a spaniel and she's still a puppy I think (I don't know how long they stay puppies for!).
Anyway, my friend and her partner go out to work everyday 9-5. The dog is kept in a cage in the kitchen. I reckon the dog can probably turn around in the cage, that's all. When they come home they let the dog go outside in the garden for a few minutes. Then the dog is so over excited it runs around the house, and wees everywhere! Then the dog gets shouted at for being too excited.

She is taken out for a walk everyday which is good, but then she is brought back and put back in the cage for most of the time.

She reckons she now knows everything about dogs and I really hate dogs and know I don't know anything about them either! But I feell uncomfortable. I think they shouldn't have bought her because they know they have to work. Yes, she was little at first but she is big now and the cage is quite small! I don't know whether it's the done thing to keep dogs in a cage?

Sorry, too many uses of 'she' there!

Dogs do quite like crates as its their secure area. However it sounds like the crate is too small. Its been kept shut in it for too long, no company through the day and being shouted at for something thats not its fault. Poor dog.

A lot of dogs do seem to spend time in cages nowadays. It doesn't sit right with me at all.
If they're out at work all day, they really should be employing someone to come and exercise and interact with the dog. But I have no idea how you can bring it up with them.

Thats horrible, I'm sorry but thats horrible.

Unfortunately there isn't anything that can be done till it's too late as the RSPCA or other (legal bodies) dont have the right to stop it. The dog is fed and not being physically abused

Crates are good for dogs as a safe place to sleep but no animal should be kept caged up for that long. If they work 9-5 they shouldnt have got a dog

Poor, poor dog

What were they thinking of to get one when they are both out all day, and dog is left alone, caged for that length of time.

The least they could do is to have a dog walker/sitter at some time during the day for some inter-action and positive attention.

How irresponsible.

We had our 2 when they were just pups and can't say we ever used a cage. Just didn't seem to work for us.
Whenever they were in it they cried.

While I was working I had my Mum come in to let them out then I gave up work to have kids so they have company all day now apart from when I'm on school run.

Doesn't sound too good to me.

I have never used a crate for my dog. I know some dogs actually grow to like theirs but it didnt feel right for mine as he's very sociable and has problem hips so I was worried he wouldnt be able to get comfortable.

I was advised that the crate was really only for if I was out for a short time. Keeping it locked up all day is just cruel. I have heard of folk who work full time building a run outside, would this be an option for them.

Surely they cant expect a pup not to need out at some point during the day. I assume they're out between 8 and 6 - could you imagine not being able to go to the loo for that long?

You're right that he is becoming over-excited because he is shut up for so long. I visited a kennels once where they had a dog that had been crated all day every day. It had chewed off half its fur it had become so distressed.

Tbh if they cant even walk him as often as he needs, it was pretty irresponsible of them to even consider getting a dog.

I think you should speak to them about your concerns. Show them this thread if you need to.

Just as LuckySalem and SB6699 said. The authorities can't do anything about it until its all too late, but perhaps you can.

The owner is asking for trouble. I fostered a dog with a similar lifetyle because the owneer couldn't cope when he was eventually let out of the crate. Within a week at my house with a little training and the run of the house, crate only used when I went out shoppig, he was a different dog. He went to a forever home and is doing woderfully, o problems at all a year on.

I honestly think that the family need either to change the way they do things or re-home the poor dog to someone who will.

Oh beggar, sorry for all the typos. My keyboard is playing silly sods.