Everyone needs a space of their own. You have your home office or den, your husband has the garage or workshop, your children have their bedrooms. But what about the dog? Even the family dog needs a space of his own from time to time. This is the true function of the dog crate. Many dog owners refuse to use them because of the negative connotations that come with it. But, if used properly, a dog crate or a small dog cage, can serve as a place of solitude for your dog.
In order for the crate to be a positive experience for your dog, begin the process of crate training on a day or night when you have time to stay at home and observe your dog’s behavior. During the day, for instance, put your dog inside the crate for short periods say, 15-minute intervals. A successful crating session has happened if your dog seems comfortable. If your dog whines or tries to get your attention, ignore her, but take note. If it’s simply a cry for attention, she will soon learn that crate time is personal time, and will begin to occupy herself or rest. If the whining worsens, or does not go away over a few days of consistent crating sessions, there may be a deeper issue there, and you should consult an expert.
To reinforce the idea that the crate should be a positive experience, crate your dog several times during the day and increase each session by five minutes. After each session resume your dog’s normal routine, taking play breaks and walks outside. By the end of the day, you should be up to a full 30 minutes of crate time.
That evening, put her to bed in the crate after she’s had her nightly bathroom break, of course. Chances are, she will fall right to sleep.
If she spends her 15-minute interval whining, simply continue crating her throughout the day in 15-minute intervals until she begins to feel comfortable enough to stop trying to get your attention. By bedtime, she should be comfortable enough to spend a night in the crate. If she whimpers at this point, don’t worry - especially if she is very young. A young puppy will still be suffering from separation anxiety and missing her mother. Successful crate training will provide comfort and stability during this difficult transition period.
The crate can also be an invaluable tool when it comes to housebreaking your dog. It is a rare dog that will go to the bathroom when confined to a small space. Like humans, they find the idea of soiling themselves pretty disgusting and will avoid doing so if at all possible. For that reason, if you are crate-training and potty-training at the same time, take your dog outside to use the bathroom after each crate session. Give her five or 10 minutes to do her business and praise her lavishly when she does.
If you are using the crate specifically to potty train, you may want to recrate her after a nonproductive bathroom break. Once she goes in the yard, however, praise her lavishly and release her to play.
Many people who use crates for their dogs leave the crate door open when the dog is not inside, in order to give the pooch access to it. Remember, the crate is a good thing. It is your dog’s room. The fact that your dog chooses to spend time there on her own is a good sign. This will become a place of security and will provide peace of mind for both you and your dog.
Jeff Clare
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/are-there-benefits-to-crating-your-dog-132569.html
September 12th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
What are the benefits of crate training?
i see it on a lot of websites, but they dont say why crate training should be used. Isnt it cruel to keep a dog locked in a cage?
September 12th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
At some point in your dog’s life, it may be
necessary to use a crate when you are traveling with your pet or when your dog is recuperating from an injury. Such potentially traumatic situations will be much less stressful if your dog is already familiar with and comfortable in a crate.
References :
http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/pdfs/dogs/cratetraining.pdf
September 12th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
yes
when you crate train your dog fells more comfortable when in the crate because at some time in his or her life she is probably going ot have to go in a crate type thing
also if the dog as separation anxiety she will destroy your House and or hurt her self this way it stops her from endangering herself
it also provides a nice little place to them selves
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September 12th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
In addition to what the other people said, it gives them their own "room" if they want to get away and nap. Also, it’s an amazing potty training tool for young dogs since puppies and dogs don’t want to use the bathroom in small places they’re in.
References :
September 12th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Uh no. Think wolves. They slept, lived in small caves. If a dog is properly crate trained, it things of a crate as his own little cave/hangout place.
You are thinking human, not dog! You shouldnt leave your dog in a crate for more than a couple of hours at a time…but it is definitely not cruel if used properly.
My puppy will sleep in his crate at night by choice. I keep the door open and he will go in there and sleep there by himself.
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September 12th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
If you keep your puppy in his/her crate at night so it doesn’t go to the bathroom in the house, make sure it has enough room to move a little, but not enough to find a place to pee that is far from his/her bed.
References :