Crating for recovery period - won’t my dog hate me?

[Uncertain111]

It’s looking increasingly likely that we’re going to have to do this - period of time to be confirmed. I going to feel sorry for my (YOUNG!!) dog and it feels so cruel but I know it’s needed for their long term quality of life and health. Has anyone any advice support or encouragement to offer please? as I’m feeling dreadful at the thought of doing it to my little guy! Thanks 🙏

My dog was 18 months old when he needed a cruciate repair and was crated for 6 weeks. My cat was 6 months old when she broke her leg and needed to be crated with a cast on. Both coped just fine, although it was much easier crating the dog compared to the kitten! It felt mean at times, but I just made sure I spent lots of time with them and kept them entertained as much as possible. Forget about your dog 'hating' you - they don't think like that. It will be ok!

@ElliesMum16 thanks so much that gives me hope! X

My dogs currently crated at the moment. I put her in a normal crate and cried. We now have her in a playpen with 3 beds in there food , water etc. seems so much nicer for her and big enough we can get in to comfort her. Vet said this was absolutely fine.

My dog had to be crated for 12 weeks. I was dreading it (she has THE loudest bark on the planet and I thought she would just howl her head off) But, she was absolutely fine. We found we couldn’t keep her in the same room as us (she would get too excited and want to play with the other dogs, which led to her flinging herself around the crate - not good 🤦‍♀️) But when we put her crate in another room, she just settled. She’s not daft, she was in pain and knew she needed to heal.
She liked it so much that she still sleeps in it now, by choice - she shouts at me if the door is shut and she can’t get in!

One of ours had to be crated for a tail amputation. She was an absolute live wire but survived.
Travel and surgery are two of the main reasons we suggest to all our buyers to crate train their pups. Then the crate is easier for them when it's actually needed.

Brain game type treat puzzles to keep them occupied, it’ll be fine

Thank you. Yes luckily he is crate trained already it’s just we never shut the door (apart from
to travel). It’s just so contrary to what I like to give him (freedom, choice, exercise) I’m dreading it but your replies are really helping me get perspective so thank you 😊

Our now 3 year old working line lab came to us crate trained. It's his place of peace and sanctuary (it's where he chooses to go with their are fireworks/thunder) and helped us get him toilet trained in under a week in his new home. The door is left open pretty much all of the time unless we have anyone over that's scared of dogs - he happily goes in there and they know he's secure. It's been so much easier when he has had to have rest as advised by the vet (following cut paw, issue with tail etc) and indeed when he's had a super busy day and needs an enforced nap (he crashes out fast asleep within minutes) and the way I look at it, if I i was told bed rest, that's his version. Same as you wouldn't leave a toddler/baby free roaming etc - it's for your dog's recovery and long term wellbeing.