Crates are a good tool if used correctly as a den or safe place for the dog but I also think the rule that they shouldn't spend more time in the crate then out should be applied. The puppy I just got back - I spent 2 months convincing the owner to return the puppy - she was a wonderful pet owner in some respects but the puppy was spending up to 22 hours a day in the crate. There were no behavior issues - the puppy never chewed anything inappropriatel y, was 100% housebroke, never got into the trash, had a securely fenced yard. Her 'bad' behavior was that she whined while in the crate. And this person repeatedly told me -you know she doesn't whine when she is out of the crate. UH DUH
Her reasons for crating were during the day while she was at work- OK no problem But then you added at night when sleeping - OK still not a problem. But then the puppy was also crated whenever the owner cooked or ate herself, Twice - 3 times a day, whenever she was cleaning, whenever she did laundry, whenever she vacuumed swept or mopped the floor, whenever she was mixing up the dog food bowls, whenever the dogs ate, whenever she went to the store, whenever she had company over, whenever the owner was reading a book, whenever she did yard work or gardening, whenever she was on the computer and so on. That pretty much covers close to 24 hours a day. Reasons - well she walks around (heaven forbid you should have any animal that moves!!), she follows me, she wants to be petted, she begs for food when I am eating, she stands right next to me when I'm fixing the dog food bowls (oh sin of all sins!) she wants to play with the mop/vacuum/broom, she disturbs me when I am trying to read.
When was the puppy out of the crate? Ten minutes in the am to potty then back to the crate to eat then 10-15 minutes again to potty. Back in the crate for 8-9 hours. Out of the crate for 1/2 hour run then back in the crate for a couple of hours. Out of the crate for a few minutes then back in for dinner (both human and dog) Out of the crate for maybe another hour then back in for the night. This actually could be considered abuse no matter how well intentioned.