Precautions to Help Your Dog Get Along With Small Children

Since we cannot always keep your pets tied by our side or in a small enclosure when raising our children; we need to take a few extra precautions. Some dogs and cats are real people pets and will let your children do almost anything from pulling on their ears to taking food out of their mouth, but not without some proper dog training on your part. You need to keep in mind that even though they will allow it most of the time; they can be pushed too far and will react with a snap. Both need to learn their limits and allow private space for each.

Socialization of your pet is essential in teaching him what acceptable behavior is and what will not be tolerated. Introduce them at a young age to gentle children, and they will become more tolerate and allow children to approach them and pet them. Dogs like to play, so let your child throw and a ball and have the dog bring it back and drop it at the child’s feet. This will develop a close relationship that will help your dog to be gentle and loving towards others.

Some precautions to take with your dog and a child are:

a. A child under five years of age should not be left alone with a dog.

b. During snack time separate the dog and the child so the dog does not see little hands as a tasty tidbit.

c. Dogs like children need to have their “own” space. A child has his bedroom he can play in and not be disturbed. A crate or kennel needs to be provided for your dog so he can have a place to retreat. Your child needs to understand that this is “his” place and he is to be left alone. No poking sticks, toys, fingers into the crate or kennel.

d. Keep your pet safe and secure from neighborhood children that might accidentally or intentionally tease or torment him. A fence in yard need to have a locked gate.

e. If your dog is teased or tormented by kids through the fence; he will learn to dislike all kids and want to bark or snarl at them to scare them away. This type of teasing gives the kids a feeling of power over the dog and they want to do it more. They are at a distance and feel safe; but the end result can be that a kid gets bitten.

Some dogs by their nature do not like children because of their noisy or aggressive behaviors. If this is the case, then the children must be taught to change their behavior. Some ideas to help create a better relationship between the two are:

a. The child is taught that the dog’s crate is “His” and his alone, and the child is not allowed to play inside the crate. Placement of the crate needs to be away from the area where the children are engaged in rambunctious play.

b. Children need to be instructed not to squeeze the dog around the neck as this will only make him feel threatened. He may react to this action in an unacceptable manner.

c. When the dog is eating, teach the child to leave him alone. Tiny fingers are hard to resist.

d. Playing the game of tug-of-war should never be played with you dog when he will be around small children. He cannot distinguish the difference between when it is OK and when tugging on the child’s clothing is not an acceptable game.

e. Dominant and aggressive behavior may come into play when children run past the dog and scream, therefore, dogs should never be tethered on a chain or a leash in the open yard. Not only is this hard on our ears; it excites the dog and he will become more aggressive.

With the proper learning experiences, children and dogs do wonderfully well together and become the best of friends. When the dog considers himself to be the family guardian; the result is wonderful and the dog and the child will respect and cherish each other. Dog crates and cages are wonderful inventions that can assist in this process. There is nothing more important than to let your dog be part of the family and to place his crate where interaction can occur with the family.

Overweight Dogs Are a Big Concern

An article I read written by Dr. Donna Spector stated that over 60% of dogs in the United Sates are overweight or obese.  The health risks connected with being overweight include diabetes, arthritis, heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, a compromised immune function that can predispose to certain type of cancer.  Keeping your dog within an ideal body weight will help him to live 15% longer and with a better quality of life.  Obesity only shortens the life of your pet.

When your Vet suggests that you help your pet lose five pounds, it is usually pushed aside and is thought that five pounds is no big deal. Five pounds of extra baggage to a 12 pound dog is like 58 extra pounds on a 140 pound woman.  Five extra pounds on a pet that should weight around 25 pounds is like 28 extra pounds on a 140 pound woman.  Five extra pounds on a 70 pound animal is like 10 extra pounds on a 140 pound woman. Doesn't paint a very pretty picture, does it?

Overfeeding is the biggest cause of obesity.  Just like sweets add pounds on humans, most doggie treats are high in fats and should be given infrequently and in small doses.  An example given by Dr. Spector and I quote:  "A premium pig ear on average has about 230 calories.  If you give this pig ear as a treat to a 40 pound dog (who should be eating around 620 caolories each day), it is the same as a person (on a 1,200 calorie diet) eating 2 double cheeseburgers as a treat in addition to their normal meals.  This pig ear represents close to 40% of that dog's daily calorie requirement."

Keeping your dog physically active and within his suggested healthy weight means having your pet's companionship longer.  You first need to admit that you and your pet have a problem.  He doesn't just feed himself.  You can control what he eats.  Take him to the Vet for a check-up regularly and formulate a weight loss plan and then stick to it.  Your Vet can help you choose the right food and the right amount of treats that will maintain an ideal body weight for your pet.  Take him for a brisk 20 minute walk or longer every day.

If you plan on traveling with your pet; he will do much better if he is not over weight.  Excess weight is hard on them where they are contained in a dog crate for the entire flight and not allowed to get up and move about.  A crate will allow them to stand and turn around, but your dog still needs to be able to walk and stretch those muscles, so plan on a good walk or some exercise before and after the flight.

Keeping Our Dogs and Pets Safe for the Holidays

I just read an article written by Dr. Donna Spector telling about the hazards that arise when you feed your pet Holiday fare. So many foods are dangerous for your pet and need to be avoided. Dr. Spector warned of the following and gave an explanation of why. I have summarized them for my readers. This is yet another reason why I recommend using a dog crate during the Holiday season. It is a great place to put your pet during preparation, eating and cleaning-up of those scrumptious holiday meals. It is one of the best ways to keep him safe.

A Few Things to Keep Your Dog Away from During the Holidays:

• Chocolate – (all kinds, but dark and baking are the worst) Problems associated with consumption of this are mild stomach upset to seizures and death.
• Alcohol – Dogs tend to like sweets and eggnog is especially tempting. Don’t let them lick the glasses or bottle caps; its consumption can be lethal.
• Rich Fatty Foods – Not only are they bad for us they will cause mild stomach irritation and can lead to pancreatitis. This often requires hospitalization and can be fatal.
• Uncooked Dough – The yeast in the dough can expand and cause excess gas in the stomach which results in bloating and possible rupture of the digestive system.
• Fruits and Nuts – During the holiday season candied fruits, fruits and nuts are plentiful and left out for holiday visitors. Be careful, especially with grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts as they are prone to cause problems with your pet from digestive upset to organ failure and death.
• Sugar-Free Candies – These treats contain Zylitol, a sugar substitute, which even in small dosages are life-threatening to dogs. They cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
• Wrappers, Aluminum Foil, Etc. – Keep these out of harms way. Dogs can sniff them out and swallow them. If they do not pass through the digestive system, it may require surgery.

A Few Precautions to Take for the Safety and Well-Being of Your Pet During the Holiday Season:

• Avoid feeding him from the table. Ahead of the meal, satisfy him with his own high quality natural pet food.
• Keep him away from the table by placing him in his crate while the food is being prepared, eaten and clean up is over.
• Any treats that will be made available to guests need to be out of the reach of your pet.
• If a spill occurs, quickly clean it up and keep your pet in his crate. Don’t take chances on him rushing over to lap up the spill. 

We all love our dogs and pets and want them to be safe and happy.  The responsibility is ours.  The Holidays are a lot of fun, but can be stressful too.  Keeping our pets safe is one way to reduce some of this stress.  Happy Holidays from Canine Crate Store!

How to Help Your Puppy Stop Barking While In His Dog Crate

Most of us who have ever had a new puppy, know that those first few days, or weeks can be a struggle.  Your pup whines and barks whenever he or she is put inside his dog crate.  This is an issue that should be addressed right away if it is happening to you.  You don't want it to become a habit.  Then it will be much harder to fix.

First of all, your new puppy is looking to you for guidance.  Now that his or her mother is not letting the pup know what is tolerable, the job must become yours.  Exercise is the most important tool in this process.  A puppy that has gone for a nice long walk or run is a tired puppy.  A tired puppy doesn't want to bark as much as a puppy with a lot of pent up energy.

Some other tips that I have heard from others are:

• Using a dog crate cover to create a quiet place - If you do not feel like making another investment in a crate cover, putting a towel or blanket over the dog crate is a great and economical alternative.
• Give your puppy a bone or something that is safe to chew on when inside the crate.  This gives him or her something to do and will help reduce the anxiety that can be caused by being alone.
• Train your puppy to think of the dog crate as a den or safe place.  If it is always associated with a positive thing such as a treat or praise for going in, it will be comfortable to your pet.  It is in their genes to be den animals.  There are many good trainers and training courses available for helping with this.
• When you are gone, turning on the television or radio can help the puppy think that there is someone around and that also helps reduce the anxiety.

Of all of the things mentioned, exercise and proper training are the two that work best for me.  The exercise isn't bad for us people either.  In fact, after writing this post, I am going to take my two mutts for a nice long walk.

Dog Crate Training Part 2 - Picking The Perfect Crate For Your Dog

These days, there are a variety of different dog crates to choose from and you wish to pick one that's best for your dog. One major consideration is the size of the cage compared to the size of your canine companion. You don't want it to end up being so tiny that your dog can hardly turn about, however, you wouldn't like it being too large either. The most perfect size is a size which allows your canine to stretch and has more than enough head room to stand up and turn around in, but one that is still cozy for your furry friend.


If your canine is a puppy, you may have to think about getting a smaller dog crate right now and a larger one for when he or she grows to full size. Even better, look for one that includes a divider. A crate divider lets you make it larger as your pet dog grows up. In addition to sizing, there are a variety of different materials on the market.

Plastic Dog Crates are widely used and also a type that is necessary for traveling by air. Plastic types are usually plastic on the bottom, top, and sides, and include a metal gate for the front. Plastic will likely be the kind that the airline requires, and more than likely what you would use for car travel because the are going to be the most protective for your canine should a collision or rough travel occur. They may be a little secluded since the plastic on the sides and top isn't going to leave very much space for your puppy to see out. Then again, your dog might enjoy this because it creates a fairly private area. .

Wire dog crates are often the types that are employed in boarding kennels. You might also find them at dog events. They are simply wire throughout and they usually have a plastic tray that you insert so your puppy isn't sitting on the wire which can really harm his paws. Wire versions have an advantage since your pet is able to see out of the top and the walls. There are some very good dog crate covers that will offer a more private home. If your price range does not permit a cover, you can always cover the top with a blanket or towel. Wire kennels will be much easier to wash out too. Just slip out the tray on the floor for washing. They are great for crate training.

Soft dog crates are great if you spend a lot of time outside, and if you want to bring your pup to the market, the veterinarian, or perhaps a visit to the dog park or beach. They are not suitable for air travel and I don't believe too many of them can be authorized by the airline anyway. Also, they are not good to use as a standing cage in the house because they are so flexible. They are usually made of some type of nylon fabric having zippers on the top and also a front zippered "gate" that you can use to take your dog out and in. They are amazing improvements to the crate family if you have a well trained canine, but are not suggested for initial training, particularly for dogs that love to chew.

Dog Crate Training Part 1 - Reasons Why Dog Crate Training my K9 a Good Plan

Dog crate training is an often times disregarded part of dog training which is unfortunate because a pet that's appropriately dog crate trained is much happier and much more balanced. The truth is, properly trained canines think of their crates to be their own special den where they may really feel safe.

There are 3 major types of crates. Soft dog crates, wire dog crates, and plastic dog crates. All can be used for crate training. Getting your pet used to going into a cage can provide him or her with a secure and safe home. Additionally, if you wish to travel with your canine or just take your pet to a vet you might have to place him in a crate and if he is already used to the dog crate, this can be an additional bonus. In case your puppy is needing potty training, a dog crate might help immensely.

Keep Your Pet in His Crate for a Good Night’s Snooze

Have you ever tried to go to sleep, but just couldn’t because of too much stress during the day or maybe a little too much caffeine, a wife that snores? All the many things we complain about that keep us awake and make us toss and turn may not be the problem. The Mayo Clinic for Sleep Medicine conducted a survey and came up with a surprise answer to man’s dilemma. Some of the sleeplessness could be traced to arthritis pain, but the main cause was that canine companion sharing the same bed. When they recommended throwing the pet out of bed,  most pet-lovers balked. Tossing the pet out of bed was too much of a sacrifice to make when they had become accustomed to having that pet warm the bed and just cuddle. I will admit it is a nice comfort and they do make you smile. There are so many great beds for dogs and  designer dog crates, that it should be easy, but it is not.


Both of you can achieve a good night’s rest, if you put him in a plastic crate equipped with a soft pad and keep it within your reach. In an article, written by Dr. Marty Becker, veterinary contributor for “Good Morning America” and Gina Spadafori, his co-author on best-selling books they suggest that you have your dog checked for external parasites – fleas and ticks – as well as bacterial yeast infections. These can cause itching and discomfort for your dog and if they sleep with you, I think you can answer that one, especially, if you wake up with an itch. Dr. Peter Ihrke, a professor of veterinary dermatology at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine states that allergies can also be the culprit. He suggests that you have your Vet check him over for dust-mites.

Cleanliness comes into play again and again. Keep the bed linens washed and clean and while you are taking care of your sleeping comforts, wash and clean the pad and plastic crate to insure that your dog is free of dust mites and dirt. They carry a lot of dirt into the home on the pads of their feet from the out-of-doors. If you insist on letting that dog take up half (most of time it is three quarters) of the bed then it is suggested that you enclose the box springs, mattress and pillows in barrier covers and wash weekly. Using a dog crate would be a much, much better solution.

When you bring a new baby home from the hospital, his sleeping schedule is contrary to yours. So it is with your pet, if you play with him and get him all worked up at night time and let him sleep all day you can plan on being up all night. Exercise him as much as possible during the day time and let him out for a long potty break before your bed time. We read our children stories at night to quite them down, play relaxing music at night and give your pet a favorite soft toy before you place him in his plastic crate for the night. If you make a nightly routine of it, you may just be surprised at how nice it is to have the whole bed to yourself or at least half of it. If none of this works, remember some body has to sleep on the couch and my bet is it won’t have four legs. You may have to insist on the dog crate for a longer period of time, but he will learn to choose it.