Crates, Cages and Compassionate Canine Confinement
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If you've ever heard of somebody crating a dog and imagined them hammering nails into a wooden box and shipping Fido to some overseas destination, you might be interested to know that's not what the term means. Crating is a means of confining a pet for the purposes of potty training and keeping it safely out of the way when circumstances call for it. Caging might be a better choice of words. What's surprising is that so many people misunderstand the point of crating that it is often thought of as a cruel practice.
When my sister came over to my house to meet my new puppy for the first time, she was shocked to see we had a crate for our dog. I wasnt surprised by her reaction when she first saw the crate. In fact, I expected it. Truth be told, many people feel the same way. I, myself, used to think that keeping a dog in a crate was down-right cruel until I learned that crate training can be a wonderful tool when it comes to caring for and even protecting your pup and something it will actually come to love.
The unfortunate reality is that crates carry a stigma simply by virtue of their looks. People just assume that having a crate in your home means you're inclined to lock your dog away for the slightest infraction. But that certainly isn't the expected use for these things. Your dog's cage should become a welcome sanctuary, like a wolf den.
In time, your dog will learn to appreciate, even love his crate. My own dog, now 10 years old, still goes to her crate to nap or when she's frightened of a thunderstorm. We no longer need the crate for its original purpose (to adjust her potty habits to our work schedules) but have left it up simply because she wants it. We never even bother to close the door. It's just her special spot to rest and feel secure.
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.
I must stress however that crates must be used PROPERLY or you can do emotional damage to your dog. There are several important rules to follow when using a crate. First of all, no puppy should be left in a crate for longer than five hours (less if at all possible!). Most puppies will not eliminate where they sleep, but you cant expect them to hold their tiny bladders for hours on end. You must set up a puppy potty schedule and stick to it. NEVER depend on the crate beyond a reasonable length of time to prevent your puppy from having accidents as they can only hold it for so long.
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.
There are many different types of crates to choose from. In fact, you might even be overwhelmed by the selection! You do not want a crate that is too big or too small. Your dog should be able to lie down comfortably and be able to turn in a complete circle without difficulty. If you get a large crate (so that your dog can grow into it) you can purchase a divider so that he is not tempted to eliminate in one corner and sleep in the other.
Our dog's crate is the standard metal "wire" cage. This model breaks down easily for relocation or storage, allows for good airflow and let's the dog view the world around it. To enhance the den simulation, we toss a blanket over it (leaving the door exposed) at night. For those of you with puppies, the removable tray in the bottom is great for easy cleanup. Your puppy will almost inevitably have an accident or two at first and this feature is a real time saver.
Crates can be wonderful training tools and a great sanctuary for your dog. But, if you really have difficulty stomaching a crate, a puppy play pen might be more your speed. Just don't expect the potty training benefits out of this alternative. At the very least, both a crate and a play pen will afford you a safe place to put your pup if needed (such as when your front door may be open for extended periods to accommodate workers).
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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