Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Crates on hot nights

155 replies

Excitedannie · 10/06/2023 23:38

22 degrees here - doesn't feel too warm to be honest but what do you do about crated dogs when it's warm? I'd rather not leave her out of it because she'll think that's the norm but it's got her comfy bed and cover over it to keep it dark

Any advice?

OP posts:
Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 00:43

I’ve just checked my puppy on the dog cam. She’s stretched out fast asleep in her crate. Only MILs are hated more than crates on Mumsnet. 😂

Original poster
Excitedannie · 11/06/2023 00:53

The haters have made me doubt the last 6 months of caring for my puppy so I've just been googling. Crate training is absolutely recommended by professionals to help the dog have a safe space

I think some people are just stuck in old ways and don't want to embrace new research or methods and prefer to be blinkered or ignorant. Personally I think it's cruel to NOT give a dog the option of creating their own safe space but like I've said many times, it's each to their own but I feel confident I've done/doing the right thing

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 11/06/2023 01:01

Excitedannie · 11/06/2023 00:53

The haters have made me doubt the last 6 months of caring for my puppy so I've just been googling. Crate training is absolutely recommended by professionals to help the dog have a safe space

I think some people are just stuck in old ways and don't want to embrace new research or methods and prefer to be blinkered or ignorant. Personally I think it's cruel to NOT give a dog the option of creating their own safe space but like I've said many times, it's each to their own but I feel confident I've done/doing the right thing

I’ve never caged my dog at home , I’ve blocked off parts of rooms when he was a puppy and he has various beds that are his spaces , which is no different to having a bed in a cage . He is currently laying upside down on my bed in front of a fan , when I turn the TV off he will go on his bed . Cages are banned in some countries because dogs are polyphasic sleepers and need to be able to get up and wander about .

Lostinbrum · 11/06/2023 01:01

Some ridiculous comments on here. Nothing wrong with crating whatsoever. OP have a fan on if worried, stick to what dog is used to

FreyaBentos · 11/06/2023 01:03

@Excitedannie

Often if I’ve got up extra early, the DDog is snoring away in her crate even though she has her big puffy bed or the cool floor to lie on… as you say, oblivious to our worrying!
She has been known to pinch things and hide them in her crate… all sorts of odd things have been stashed away at the back so she definitely sees it as her den.

Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 01:05

It’s a case of anthropomorphism. The dog sees her crate as a place of comfort and safety. The crate haters can’t think beyond seeing a dog in a cage.

Enko · 11/06/2023 01:10

To late for tonight op. BUt going forward id get a cool mat for part of the cage. DDog loves his in the summer heat.

PucketyPuckPuck · 11/06/2023 01:11

Personally I think it's cruel to NOT give a dog the option of creating their own safe space

Why do you think that dogs who aren't routinely locked in a small cage can't have their own safe space?

Our dog has her own safe space in a very sheltered, quiet corner - her bed. No one goes into that area, ever. It's fir her, if she needs space. She sleeps sometimes in her bed, sometimes on the sofa, sometimes on the wooden floor.

Dogs move around and change their sleeping position/surface to regulate their temperature. Shutting a dog in a cage prevents them from doing that. It's cruel.

No one who chooses to lock their dog in a cage because it's easier for them ever likes to hear that but it doesn't make it untrue.

And a dog being conditioned from puppy hood to be locked in a small cage regularly doesn't mean it's good, fair or healthy for the dog. It means they're used to it, that's all. Which is just sad.

Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 01:25

I’ve just checked my pup on the dog cam. She stood up and had a shake and a change of position. She’s settled down again now, with her head on her teddy as a pillow.

“Dogs move around and change their sleeping position/surface to regulate their temperature. Shutting a dog in a cage prevents them from doing that. It's cruel.”

You’re talking bollocks @PucketyPuckPuck

Original poster
Excitedannie · 11/06/2023 01:29

Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 01:25

I’ve just checked my pup on the dog cam. She stood up and had a shake and a change of position. She’s settled down again now, with her head on her teddy as a pillow.

“Dogs move around and change their sleeping position/surface to regulate their temperature. Shutting a dog in a cage prevents them from doing that. It's cruel.”

You’re talking bollocks @PucketyPuckPuck

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 11/06/2023 01:29

Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 01:05

It’s a case of anthropomorphism. The dog sees her crate as a place of comfort and safety. The crate haters can’t think beyond seeing a dog in a cage.

That’s because it is a dog in a cage , I’m quite happy for people to have a cage for their dog if they leave the door open so that the dog can move around as it pleases .

ConcernedCatmother · 11/06/2023 02:55

HoldingTheDoor · 10/06/2023 23:54

Seriously WTF is it with people caging dogs for hours at a time like they're a 1970s budgie?

😂😂😂

EdithStourton · 11/06/2023 07:18

I'm not a fan of crates, but I can see situations where they are useful. And if a dog is well conditioned to the crate and happy to be in it and feels secure, then as far as I'm concerned it's up to the owner.

People are often far too keen to condemn things that they wouldn't do with their own dogs when they have no idea how happy the dog is.

BiscuitsBiscuitsEverywhere · 11/06/2023 07:35

I think the biggest problem with crates is the potential for misuse. But if the door to the crate is open at all times, then I see no issue.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 11/06/2023 07:53

There's nothing wrong with crate training in general, but in this weather I don't think it's appropriate for any dog to be crated unless you have air conditioning or a nice old house.

Your dog needs to be able to move around and cool themselves down if necessary - they can't do they in a crate.

Pineappletart7 · 11/06/2023 07:55

My German shepherd 7 month puppy absolutely loves her crate. It’s her safe den and she chooses to go there for a nap instead of sitting wherever she wants in the living room. She has chew toys in there too and it’s a big crate so she can stretch out lots. She stays in it all night without making a sound and we have watched her on camera and she is either fast asleep or chewing her toy happily for a bit. As for the hot weather we will have a tower fan blowing on the crate at night and she’ll have water. We keep the room the crate is in cooler by keeping the curtains and blinds shut at all times and the door closed so no extra heat is getting in

Random789 · 11/06/2023 08:16

When I was still crating my pup at night, he did become very unsettled on one or two occasions when the temperature got high. I think that even if you remove all warm bedding, etc, dogs are still unable to cool themselves as well as they would if uncrated. Normally they move around a bit when hot, transferring to a spot that their body hasn't warmed or a spot that perhaps has a bit more air. And of course they spread out more - flat out instead of curled - which might be hard in a crate.

I don't think crating is cruel or wrong but I do think that as our summer temperatures get higher and higher we need to think about alternatives (or fans and other temperature control/monitoring) in hot weather.

Luckily, my dog doesn't need to be crated now. He is very settled without it. If I was still using a crate, I guess I would also use a fan.

Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 08:51

Floralnomad · 11/06/2023 01:29

That’s because it is a dog in a cage , I’m quite happy for people to have a cage for their dog if they leave the door open so that the dog can move around as it pleases .

Show quote history

Well it’s important, obviously, to keep you happy; even though it’s none of your damn business.

I’m happy and my puppy is happy, so sod off.

Borris · 11/06/2023 08:55

Mine has her crate (door open) next to the sofa. She sleeps on the sofa all day but chooses her crate at night. It’s definitely her safe place.

HaveWeGotAnyCake · 11/06/2023 08:57

HoldingTheDoor · 10/06/2023 23:52

Why are you caging your dog for hours at a time? Animals should be free to move around.

Crates are cages, and no dog should ever be kept in one, for any length of time

HareRaising · 11/06/2023 09:03

Not sure why people would even think of caging a dog, especially in hot weather. At the very least for welfare reasons you should always have the door open.

I have heard of pups/dogs being locked in cages overnight WITH NO ACCESS TO WATER and my mind boggles at the cruelty of this.

Clymene · 11/06/2023 09:07

If she can get out (ie you always leave the door open and there are cool tiles she can choose to lay on, what are you worried about?

Lightningrain · 11/06/2023 09:09

Wow I can’t believe the ignorance on here!

OP our dog also loves her crate on a night (we leave the door open now that she’s an adult dog but she still chooses to sleep in there 9 times out of 10). We intended to get rid of it after a few months but didn’t have the heart to in the end.

I took the cover off when she was a pup in summer but she’s only got a single coat so it’s rare that’s she’s too hot.

To those that hate crates - I really hope your dogs don’t ever sustain an injury that requires weeks of strict crate rest or ever have to be in one at the vets/groomers/dog walker. The poor things will be stressed because you don’t think it’s an important thing for them to be ok with.

Our dog chooses to go in the crate when she’s tired, poorly, when she’s had enough of visitors or family dogs. She has a choice of beds and sofas yet still chooses the crate most of the time. There’s no way that she’d do that if she didn’t enjoy being in it.

My friend’s dog always gravitates to it when he comes round after he had an injury a couple of years ago where he was on crate rest, even though the one he had at home is no longer there. Why would he do that if he didn’t enjoy being in it?

Every dog is different and people need to accept that.

Groutyonehereagain · 11/06/2023 10:01

The attitude on here is staggering. We all know that cruelty to animals happens and it sickens all normal people. However using a crate properly isn’t cruel. It doesn’t matter how many times the crate haters post on Mumsnet, that they are cruel, used correctly it’s just not true.

It’s like saying knives are dangerous because some people use them to stab others. Knives should definitely be banned…..

Floralnomad · 11/06/2023 10:29

@Lightningrain , my dog is cage trained , he’s perfectly happy at the vets and when he has needed to rest ( he had a toe amputated ) a pen was set up for him but most of the time we took shifts sitting with him in the lounge or sitting up at night on the bed .