Crate training can be a blessing for both dog and owner. A crate can be a safety measure for young dogs but a heaven of personal space for grown dogs. There are a few guidelines you should follow when training your puppy to stay in a crate.
Safety First
Puppies chew everything. From table legs to shoes to electrical wires, anything within reach is considered fair game. Not only is this behavior destructive but it can be life threatening. An electrical shock, an ingested foreign object, even poisonous plants can be fatal. Training your young dog to stay in a crate when he or she will be unattended can save their life. Crate training can also help prevent potty accidents around the house. And a crate is the safest way to transport a dog whether by car, train or plane. It not only helps to keep them calm but protects them from harm.
A Place of Their Own
It’s natural for dogs to have a den. This is where they would sleep and keep their young in the wild. As a dog outgrows the puppy phase and has matured enough to roam the house without chewing on furniture or wires, the crate should become a place where he or she goes by choice to sleep or rest. Just leave the door open or remove it all together. It’s now a place of their own.
Crate with Compassion
Puppies should not be crated longer than three or four hours, as they need to be taken outside to relieve themselves often. You should not ever use a crate for punishment as this can lead to emotional and psychological damage for the dog. And if your schedule demands that your dog be in the crate more hours than out of the crate, you should hire a dog sitter instead of crating.
To learn more about crate training and safe dog care visit www.humanesociety.org.