Housing.. Vereinsboxen and Dog Carrier Kennels (Portable) - Page 10

I've had dogs who loved their crates and used it as a resting area even when loose in the house and I've had dogs who acted like being in a crate was torture and loudly announced their displeasure.  While dogs are "den animals," can you list any wild animal that stays in a den 24/7?  They come out to relieve themselves, to hunt, and to socialize. 

Using a crate, kennel run, or chain as a restraint to keep a dog in a safe location when necessary is looking out for the best interest of the dog - wild animals, including feral dogs and cats, have a much shorter lifespan than our working or pet animals.  However, continuously keeping an animal crated, chained, or kenneled without necessary mental stimulation and socialization is cruel. 

Dogs are social animals that naturally live in a family group or pack.  German shepherds, like other working breeds, have been selectively bred to work closely with humans.  Depriving them of that social relationship affects their mental stability.  Like all animals, different dogs have different social/mental needs.  Good owners, even those that own multiple dogs that may live in a larger kennel facility, take into account each dog's individual needs and provide that dog with access to what they need to be successful. 

I used to volunteer at an animal control facility as a dog walker.  The dogs would go kennel-crazy if they didn't get any outside play time.  Their runs were always clean, they had access to food, water and toys, but getting out to run and play made the biggest difference in whether or not they were adopted.  It's been awhile, and I'm trying to find a link to the article, but I think they improved their adoption rates to about 80% when they instituted the dog walker/cat purrer program to give the animals more socialization.


Opal

Good post, Opal

"In 50 years I've never had a dog stolen."

How many have you had die on your property in "accidents," Diane?

"I am not posting here to those who box their dogs. I post this because I think it is important that 'newbies' see a different opinion. Many look to their breeders for advice. It is appalling that they are told that THE ONLY way to keep a young dog safe is to stick it in what is the equivelant of a sensory deprevation tank! Nonsense!"

You know, I usually try to avoid the drama on these forums but the more I think about this, the more pissed off I get so I am going to get involved this time in the interest of helping those just getting started with dogs avoid your bad advice.  I don't know who in the hell you think you are coming on here all full of your self-righteous indignation, Diane, but you have no place whatsoever preaching to me or anyone else about either empathy or safety.  Your mismanagement of your own dogs on your own property cost three of them their lives to dog fights in a single year and you want to tell others how to keep their dogs safe?  Are you freaking kidding me?  And the rest of your antics and history are even worse!

Anyone interested in the whole story should read this thread: www.pitbulltalk.com/viewtopic.php  It's long but worth the time to know who this new poster is beyond her own self-promotion as an "expert".  As far as I'm concerned, she's every bit as bad as the OP.

OMG

DDR
I have just browsed this thread this morning and have not read through it but i am replying to yours although I should not be replying to any of your posts after reading one thread about you and your Dogs,
However where do you get that Dogs are kept and housed in Boxes over here in Europe in the manner you describe,
I know full well most Dog handlers and owners In at least Belgium and Holland keep there Dogs outdoors in Kennels and Runs, and a few others i have visited who,s Dogs live in the House or partly are free, they have no Box in the House at all just a basket
 A few i know live in the House during the daytime and if the Owner is going out they then put them in there outside Kennel and Run and that is where these Dogs go at night to Sleep so three ways over here but none that i know of your method you are speaking about, Regards Germany i cannot say but i will for the two mentioned above and i rub shoulders with enough of them during a year to know 
If you are such an authority of German Shepherd Housing over here tell me the many places that house there Dogs that way and i will check on it, For i find that a terrible way to house a Dog, and i will certainly look into the ones you say for going by your post it is in a good number of cases
Steve1

Holy Cow, it's getting better by the day.
Unreal....
Ulli