Questions about Crate Training?

I honestly don't think crate training is cruel, my dog when she was a baby stayed in her crate while we went out and she was fine sometimes we put water in there but if we did most likely she would pee. This was when we had carpet ,but now that we have wood floors i would change to not keeping her in the crate all day and just blocking out a part in the house .like use gates so she only is aloud in a certain area like maybe keep him in the kitchen. Good luck !!