Reply #16: Done properly, crating is a GREAT way of training

[av8rdave]

Of course, I've only trained small dogs (Bichons) with the crate, but it has always worked out really well. Guiness, my oldest, has been here three years. At night, he sleeps in the bedroom. During the day when he wants to nap, he still goes to the crate. It's still there for him - of course, now the door is always open. I think he feels comfortable and secure there. Done properly, there is nothing inhumane about it at all.

It's a great way to shorten the housebreaking time. Even though it's not used as a punishment, when he did something wrong, all you had to do was say "shame on you." The dog would hang his head, go immediately to his crate, and come out later when he figured all was right with the world again.

I have some friends who have trained large dogs the same way and have been happy with the results.