Canine Ownership Awareness
Canine Ownership Awareness
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If you provide your pup/dog with a crate/kennel in the house, it can satisfy many
dogs' need for a den-like enclosure. Besides being an effective housebreaking
tool (because it takes advantage of the dog's natural reluctance to soil its sleeping
place), it can also help to reduce separation anxiety, to prevent destructive
behavior such as chewing furniture, to keep a pup away from potentially
dangerous household items (i.e., poisons, electrical wires, etc.), and to serve
as a mobile indoor dog house which can be moved from room to room whenever
necessary.
A crate/kennel also serves as a travel cabin for your dog when travelling by car or plane. Also hotels which accept dogs on their premises may require them to be crated while in the room to prevent damage to hotel furniture and rugs. Most dogs which have been introduced to the crate/kennel while still young grow up to prefer their crate/kennel to rest in or "hang-out" in. Therefore a crate/kennel (or any other area of confinement) should NEVER be used for the purpose of punishment. It is always best to provide a crate/kennel throughout your dog's lifetime. Some crates allow for the removal of the door once it is no longer necessary for the purpose of training. The crate/kennel can be placed under a table, or a table top can be put on top of it to make it both unobtrusive and useful. Preparing the Crate/kennel Plastic Airline type: Take the crate/kennel apart, removing the screws, the top and the door. Allow your pup to go in and out of the bottom half of the crate/kennel before attaching the top half. This stage can require anywhere from several hours to a few days. This step can be omitted in the case of a young pup who accepts crating right away. Wire Mesh type: Tie the crate/kennel door back so that it stays open without moving or shutting closed. If the crate/kennel comes with a floor pan, place a piece of cardboard or a towel between the floor (and crate/kennel bottom) and the floor pan in order to keep it from rattling. Furnishing Your Pup's Crate/kennel Toys and Treats: Place your pup's favorite toys and dog treats at the far end opposite the door opening. Toys and balls should always be inedible and large enough to prevent their being swallowed. Any fragmented toys should be removed to prevent choking and internal obstruction. Water: Water should always be supplied for you pup especially if he/she will be confined for more than two hours in the crate. If the drinking dish supplied with the crate/kennels is too small, you can use a small Tupperware bowl or cut out the bottom of a soda bottle. In both instances you need to put 2 holes on one side of either so you can tie or hook the bowl to the door. Bedding: It is a good idea to place newspaper under the bedding. This helps soak up any water or if the pup urinates in the crate. On top of the newspaper place a towel or blanket inside the crate/kennel to create a soft, comfortable bed for the pup. If the pup chews the towel or blanket, remove it to prevent the pup from swallowing or choking on the pieces. Although most puppies prefer lying on soft bedding, some may prefer to rest on a hard, flat surface, and may push the towel to one end of the crate/kennel to avoid it. If the pup urinates on the towel, remove it until the pup no longer eliminates in the crate. Placing The Crate/Kennel Whenever possible, place the crate/kennel near or next to you when you are home. This will encourage the pup to go inside it without making him feel lonely or isolated when you go out. A central room in your home where you spend most of your time when you are at home is also a good place to crate/kennel your pup. Introducing Your Pup To The Crate/Kennel To help your pup get used to their crate/kennel with comfort, security and enjoyment, try following these guidelines: Occasionally throughout the day, drop small pieces of kibble or dog biscuits in the crate. While investigating his new crate, the pup will discover edible delights, thereby reinforcing his positive associations with the crate. You may also feed him in the crate/kennel to create the same effect. If the dog hesitates, it often works to feed him in front of the crate, then right inside the doorway and then, finally, in the back of the crate. In the beginning, praise and pet your pup when he enters. Do not try to push, pull or force the pup into the crate. At this early stage slow and positive ways of introduction to the crate/kennel are highly suggested. Overnight exception: You may need to place your pup in his crate/kennel and shut the door when it is bedtime. It is a good idea to place the crate/kennel next to your bed overnight. If this is not possible, then place the crate/kennel in a room that you spend a lot of time in. You can also play a game with your pup or dog. Drop a dog treat into the crate. Then call your pup and say to him, "Where's the treat? It's in your house, go find it." Using only a friendly, encouraging voice, direct your pup toward his crate/kennel. When the pup discovers the treat, give lots of praise. The treat will automatically serve as a primary reward. Your pup should be free to leave its crate/kennel at all times during this game. Later on, your pup's toy or ball can be substituted for the treat. It is always best to first crate/kennel your pup for short periods of time while you are home with him. Crate/kennel training is best accomplished while you are in the room with your dog. Getting him used to your absence from the room in which he is crated is a good first step. This prevents an association being made with the crate/kennel and you leaving him/her alone. Important Reminders Pups under 4 months of age have little bladder or sphincter control. Pups under 3 months have even less. Very young pups under 9 weeks should not be crated, as they need to eliminate very frequently (usually 8-12 times or more daily). Collars: Always remove your pup or dog's collar before confining in the crate. Even flat buckle collars can occasionally get struck on the bars or wire mesh of a crate/kennel. If you must leave a collar on the pup when you crate/kennel him (e.g.: for his identification tag), use a safety "break away" collar. Warm Weather: Do not crate/kennel a pup or dog when temperatures reach an uncomfortable level. This is especially true for the short-muzzled (Pugs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, etc.) and the Arctic or thick- coated breeds (Malamutes, Huskies, Akitas, Newfoundlands, etc.). Cold water should always be available to puppies, especially during warm weather. Never leave an unsupervised dog on a terrace or inside a car during warm weather. Also, keep outdoor exercise periods brief until the hot weather subsides. Be certain that your pup has fully eliminated shortly before being crated. Be sure that the crate/kennel you are using is not too large to discourage your pup from eliminating in it. Rarely does a pup or dog eliminate in the crate/kennel if it is properly sized and the dog is an appropriate age to be crated a given amount of time. If your pup/dog continues to eliminate in the crate, the following may be the causes:
Accidents In the Crate/kennel If your pup messes in his crate/kennel while you are out, do not punish him upon your return. Simply wash out the crate/kennel using Vinegar, Clorox Bleach or a pet odor eliminating product. Do not use ammonia-based products, as their odor resembles urine and may draw your dog back to urinate in the same spot again. Crating Duration Guidelines
The Crate/Kennel As Punishment NEVER use the crate/kennel as a form of punishment or reprimand for your pup or dog. This simply causes the dog to fear and resent the crate. If correctly introduced to his crate, your pup should be happy to go into his crate/kennel at any time. You may however use the crate/kennel as a brief time-out for your pup as a way of discouraging nipping or excessive rowdiness. Note: Sufficient daily exercise is important for healthy puppies and dogs. Regular daily walks should be offered as soon as a pup is fully immunized. Backyard exercise is not enough! Children And The Crate/Kennel Do not allow children to play in your dog's crate/kennel or to handle your dog while he/she is in the crate. The crate/kennel is your dog's private sanctuary. His/her rights to privacy should always be respected. Barking In the Crate/kennel In most cases a pup who cries incessantly in his crate/kennel has either been crated too soon (without taking the proper steps as outlined above) or is suffering from separation anxiety and is anxious about being left alone. Some pups may simply be under exercised. Others may not have enough attention paid them. Some breeds of dog may be particularly vocal (e.g., Miniature Pinchers, Mini Schnauzers, and other frisky terrier types). These dogs may need the "Alternate Method of Confining Your Dog", along with increasing the amount of exercise and play your dog receives daily. When Not To Use A Crate/Kennel Do not crate/kennel your pup or dog if:
Buying A Crate/Kennel Where to buy a crate: Crates can be purchased through most pet supply outlets, through pet mail order catalogs and through most professional breeders. You can always call the company to get professional assistance in picking the correct crate/kennel for your pup or dog. Below are just a couple of crate/kennel retailers. Searching on the internet can result in many more options. Midwest Home for Pets has all sizes even for Adult Great Danes. They carry plastic and wire mesh kennels. This link will take you to the Midwest Starter Series wire mesh crates page. Petmate Portable kennels has different sizes as well. They also carry and wire mesh kennels. The Cost Of A Crate/Kennel Crates can cost between $35 and $200 depending on the size and the type of crate/kennel and the source. The Cost of NOT Buying a Crate/kennel can result in the destruction of your shoes, books, table legs, chairs and sofas, throw rugs and carpet, and electric, telephone and computer wires. The real cost, however, is your dog's safety and your peace of mind. Alternative Method Of Confining Your Pup There are alternative methods to crating very young puppies and puppies that must be left alone in the house for lengths of time exceeding the recommended maximum duration of confinement. Use a small to medium-sized room space such as a kitchen, large bathroom or hallway with non- porous floor. Set up the crate/kennel on one end, the food and water a few feet away, and some newspaper (approx. 2'x3' to 3'x3') using a 3 to 4 layer thickness, several feet away. Confine your pup to this room or area using a 3 ft. high, safety-approved child's gate rather than shutting off the opening by a solid door. Your pup will feel less isolated if it can see out beyond its immediate place of confinement. Puppy proof the area by removing any dangerous objects or substances. |
