Crate Gives Dog Its Own Safe, Comfy Space
Source from: news-journalonline.com
By Jacque Estes
Every pet owner has discovered an overturned kitchen trash can, mess on the carpet or a favorite item chewed up by the family pet.
Our first dog, a wire-haired terrier, was initially a guest at our house. When the owners returned from their vacation, they asked us to keep the dog while they put an advertisement in the newspaper. Their logic was it would be easier on the kids. No surprise, I talked my husband into keeping the dog permanently. He had no reason to say no. The dog had been an excellent pet the two weeks we kept him.
That changed when we returned home one night to discover dirt from a floor plant in the living room strewn across the carpet and my newly upholstered couch. Luckily I had neglected to water the plant and the mess was easily vacuumed away.
Murphy, the golden retriever wasn’t destructive, he just had a game of taking one pillow off the couch and placing it in the middle of the living room floor as soon as we left. It was his rebellion for being left alone.
Shadow took the rebellion up several notches. She was a shoe chewer — mine. The final straw came when she expressed her displeasure about being left by chewing up a Raggedy Ann doll I had as a little girl. Something had to be done. I was going broke replacing shoes (yes I could have put them away!) and the doll — well there wasn’t anything left to save.
It was time for crate training.
Many look at crate training as cruel to the animal, but if the crate is the appropriate size and the training is done correctly, there is nothing cruel about it and most dogs appreciate having their own room.
Crates need to be large enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in. There are two types of crates; airline carriers that are two solid plastic pieces that bolt together and have a grate door and wire “windows” on the sides, and collapsible metal crates. Wire crates are the best for home use because they provide more ventilation.
Crate training does not happen overnight. It is a slow process that allows the dog to get used to the idea that he has a special place. Crates should never be used for punishment. If you shove the dog into the crate every time he flips the trash can the crate will never be associated as a positive thing. The crate should be placed in an area of the house where there is a lot of family activity. Your dog wants to be with you, if you seclude him in a back room he is not going to want to use the crate.
Make the crate comfortable by placing a soft, clean blanket or towel. Place an item of your clothing, a T-shirt you don’t wear or something similar with your scent on it in the cage and possibly a bone or favorite toy. You can also place a few treats inside to encourage your dog to explore the cage. Leave the door open and allow the dog to approach the crate on his own. He might not do this right away, in fact he may wait until you are busy with something else to check it out. One day you will not be able to find him and there he will be curled up in the crate.
It also helps to feed your dog near the crate. This is another way to make the association that the crate is a good place. Once the dog is willing to go into the crate you can gently close the door. Leave him in there a minute or two and watch from an area where he cannot see you. If he becomes upset, calmly walk to the crate, speak softly, telling him what a good dog he is and let him out. Spend a little time petting or playing with him and then go on about your normal routine. You are trying to impress upon him that this a natural thing. Continue encouraging him into the cage by repeating this process several times during the day with food or toys and close the door, slowly increasing the time. The dog should never be pushed or forced into the crate.
Soon he should be able to stay in the crate while you run short errands or at night after the family has gone to bed. Dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep and it is important not to keep them in the crate too long.
Some animals take right to the crate. Shadow was one of those dogs. She had been abused and was extremely timid when we adopted her and the crate was a very comforting place to her. She is now 12 years old and I have no doubt that if I put the crate up she would settle in immediately.
Another advantage of having an animal that is crate-trained is that when traveling, either on vacation or during an evacuation, you will be able to transport your animal safely.
Tags: crate training