Crates – A bonus, not a penalty
One of my recent customers asked whether or not I crate my fur guests during their stay with us. My answer to this question was not a simple yes or no. You see, depending on the animal, its personal history, experiences, and preferences, it will affect whether or not a crate is the right choice for them. Not to mention, it is the owners choice not mine as to whether or not they would like to have them crated at anytime.
This is Part 1 of a series that I will be posting on crates and their benefits.
Many people refuse to crate or kennel-train their dogs because they feel the confinement is cruel. However, a crate or kennel can give dogs a sense of security. Crate training done properly is also a highly effective management system that can be a lifesaver for dog owners.
If a dog is taught through positive reinforcement to love the crate, then it becomes their own private and safe place. It is somewhere the dog can go and not be bothered, and it is a perfect place for the dog to go when they are tired or nervous.
Crate training provides a number of benefits to owners such as:
Encourages a dog’s instinct not to mess where he sleeps; and
Prevents them from getting into trouble when you can’t supervise directly such as:
- at night;
- when you are at work;
- when you are busy cooking;
- anytime when your focus cannot be directly given to your fur baby.
Crate training also teaches puppies and excitable dogs to expect and enjoy some down time, and conditions relaxed behavior. Dogs and pups can be put into a crate with a yummy and safe chew or stuffed Kong to keep them secure, relaxed, and out of mischief for periods of time.
Always remember to remove your dog’s collar when putting them into the crate to avoid the possibility of chocking if it happens to gets caught on something.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series on animal crating coming soon.