Cages are a must for any responsible dog owner for the dog and the owner, when used for the purpose they were designed for ( and I don't mean to contain as many dogs as possible, in as little as space as possible) and stacked in rows etc. like battery hens, and certainly not to be used to contain the dog for the most of its daily life. Also, crates don't house train puppies, their owners do .

A dog should not be crated caged or staked out for long periods of time or as part of the dogs normal daily living routine , although all three forms of restriction have important uses and needs and should be taught to all dogs as to promote safety and sensible ownership for not only the owner but the dog also.

A crate when used correctly and introduced to the dog properly is a positive environment for the dog, a crate or cage should never be used as a punishment. The cage should be introduced as a place to sleep or if you have several dogs a place to have a treat, as to avoid potential food fights.

You may need to put your pup in his cage for a nap while you tidy up or go to the shops or simply take a bath, this is not cruel, but beating the dog is ... when you get out of the bath and find your cute puppy has ate the sofa, pulled down the drapes whilst playing tug of war with them, shredded the wallpaper and de threaded the carpet etc.

Prevention is often better than the cure, as the dog gets used to his crate, he will welcome the break. My dogs take themselves to their cages when they want to chill or just be quiet, its like their bedroom, their bit of space, however I do find two or three of them sometimes all trying to cram in one cage, which is quite a sight. :)

Then you have travel a cage may be required on long distant journeys or for travel in general, it is much safer for both the dog and you, it may prevent an accident or protect you and your dog from further injury should you be involved in an accident , then there is the vets.

Should your dog take ill and be required to stay at the vets, where do you think they will house the dog? I'm sure I would be safe to assume all vets use cages and if your poor pet is not accustomed to cages he is not only going to be freaked out by being away from you and his home, he will think he is being punished by being locked in a cage and end up traumatized as well.

So I could go on and on about good uses and such but I'm sure you are getting the idea of the good purposes that crate and cage training holds for you and your dog and I hope if you were one of the ardent anti cage persons that I may have helped convert and convince a few of you of the benefits and goodness in them especially for the dog , but remember a cage is to be used occasionally and not as a means of permanent confinement, after all you wouldn't cage or chain up your kids all day, everyday, SO DONT DO IT TO YOUR DOG ! ! ! !