A Crate Could Be Your Dog's Best Friend

A Crate Could Be Your Dog's Best Friend

by Olivia Samsoen

Let's talk crates and dogs. But before we do, let's clarify that the kinds of crates we'll be discussing aren't what some of you may be visualizing. These aren't wooden freight delivery crates full of mysterious artifacts from an Egyptian temple. Crating dogs is a general term for keeping your dog in a cage (called a crate) for the purposes of potty training and to provide it with a secure "home" it can call its own.

When my family first came over to visit our new puppy many years back, they were shocked to see we had a crate setup in the corner of our living room. Never, in their wildest imagination, would they have thought that two people so devoted to animal welfare would employ such a device. It seemed cruel to them, and completely at odds with our personalities. What they didn't realize is that crate training is an efficient and harmless way to potty train a young dog and, in later years, provides it with a place it can consider its own.

Yes, I agree, crates dont look very appealing. I, for one, wouldnt want to be kept in a crate. Then again, Im not a dog. The truth is, most dogs actually LIKE their crates. Dogs are similar to wolves. Both enjoy a cozy den-like atmosphere and that is exactly what a crate becomes to your four-legged friend.

Used properly, your dog will learn to love his crate. Though we haven't needed to close the door in years, our dog (one of 3) is now 10 and still walks into her crate through out the day to nap, escape from rambunctious children and to hide from passing thunderstorms. Her crate is her home within a home and a sanctuary.

Not only will your dog eventually love its crate, but you will love come to love it too as a training tool and a means of keeping your dog safe. There are many times when it is beneficial to lock an energetic pup away for a few minutes. In our own experience, having the front door to the house propped open to move furniture or because workers are coming in and out is a perfect example of how short-term doggy-lockdown is the safest option for all involved.

It is essential, however, that you use a crate correctly lest you cause your dog emotional damage or sabotage your efforts to use the crate as a training tool. Above all, limit the amount of time your dog spends in its crate. This is difficult for working couples, but try to keep the time your dog spends in its crate under 5 hours. If your dog is particularly young, swing by the house during the work day to let your pup stretch its legs and do its business on a short walk. Once your dog has been housebroken, you should be able to dispense with the daytime lock-up entirely.

You should never use the crate as a means of punishment for bad behavior. Remember, to effectively serve as a potty training aid, your dog must think of the crate as its home and sanctuary. You're trying to play on his inclination to avoid eliminating where he sleeps. If you punish him by crating him, you will confound the effort. He won't see his crate as a home in which he shouldn't poop but will treat it with the same indifference as your expensive rug. Make his crate his sanctuary and it will serve its purpose best.

Choosing a crate for your dog is less about style than it is about size. You're shooting for something large enough to allow your dog to sleep comfortably and turn around in. But bigger isn't better. Too large of a crate will defeat potty training purposes and your dog may eliminate in one corner while sleeping in another. If you purchase a larger crate because your dog is still growing, use a divider to make it small enough to accommodate your dog and your potty-training objective.

Wire crates are probably your best bet. They allow better air flow and better viewing for your pup. At night, you can cover the wire crate with a blanket so that you form a den like atmosphere (your dog will like this!).

Overall, crates, when used correctly, are wonderful training tools. If you really dont like the idea of a crate, then a puppy play pen might be more your speed. No matter which you choose, it is important to keep your puppy safe from potentially dangerous situations. - 20511

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New Unique Article!

Title: A Crate Could Be Your Dog's Best Friend
Author: Olivia Samsoen
Email: david.hobbs@verizon.net
Keywords: dogs,training,housebreaking,animals,pets,training,home and family
Word Count: 757
Category: dog
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