The Glade 4.0

Whatever Arathain. Believe what you want. I can understand. We love our dogs and too often people start thinking of them as people. They don't do things that would be good for a dog because they think it would be cruel (as it'd be cruel if you did it to a human) and do things to a dog that are cruel because they think they are being nice to the dog.

I agree. Unfortunately, locking your dog in a crate is not one of those "good" things. Look, if you think you're dog will benefit from a safe "den", then give it one. Give it a crate if you think it will make it happy. But there is no benefit for the dog in locking it in the crate.

In comic strips the person on the left always speaks first. - George Carlin

I am going to disagree. Crating the dog is what teaches it that this is your space where nothing bad happens to you. The dog can't learn this unless they are locked in and see that nothing bad happens, or better yet are rewarded for being in there. It should never be a disciplinary action though as that creates negative associations for the dog.

Too often people start thinking of {dogs} as people. They don't do things that would be good for a dog because they think it would be cruel (as it'd be cruel if you did it to a human) and do things to a dog that are cruel because they think they are being nice to the dog. For instance, some people provide no discipline or leadership to the dog because they don't want to be "mean". The dog freaks out because their human isn't being the leader...(as it is the pack leader's job to exercise discipline upon their subordinates).

That's why I always try to establish my leadership and discipline the dog in ways she'll understand - growling, nipping at her ears, humping her, etc. Seems to work well, but man, you should see the looks I get at the dog park!