Dog Crate Training Starts When You Get Your Pet

Our hearts are touched by a small, soft, cuddly ball of fur, and we want to take him home. When we hold a small puppy, our emotions run high and we don’t stop to think about all the work and expense that is involved in taking the proper care of him into adulthood. For some unknown reason; we cannot see beyond the cute antics and the love that we feel for him when we press him up to our cheek. We have the mental picture in our mind that he will be easy to train and will walk beside us on leash without any effort on our part. Boy, are we in for a surprise!

It takes lots of effort on our part to obtain a well-behaved pet. Crate training needs to begin immediately, and it doesn’t matter if it is a puppy or an adult dog that you have chosen. Dog crate training starts the moment you pick him up and head home with him. Purchase the crate in advance and have it ready for immediate use.

Crate training is a place for you to confine your dog that will keep you in control and limit his boundaries to keep him out of trouble. Your pet needs to know his limits and boundaries from day one. You don’t want to wait to potty train him after he has decided that the living room rug will do just fine.

Dog crates are NOT places to put your dog to keep him locked up until you decided that you would like to once again enjoy some companionship. Dog crates are to be used to allow your pet his own private space and to keep you in control. We want our canine friend to be a companion and to enjoy spending time with him inside the house. They are most helpful in potty training your pet. Limiting their freedom in the house is one way to break bad habits. If he begs for food at the table, place him in the crate away from the dining area prior to your meal and release him after the dishes have been cleared from the table – this way there will be no food to smell and he will have nothing to beg for.

The idea behind using a crate to potty train your dog is to completely eliminate any bathroom accident in the home. A small puppy can squat and go in less than five seconds, so if you cannot have your eye on him at all times, let him rest in his crate. This is assuming that you have been watchful and taken him outside to his bathroom area at regular intervals. Small puppies as well as adult dogs will associate leaving the crate with being allowed to go outside to the bathroom area and will hold their urge to urinate until in the designated area. It will take some time on your part to learn effective crate training techniques, but for the enjoyment you will experience later on it will be well worth the effort. Your goal is to have a pet that you can leave in the house without worrying about an accidental urination on expensive furniture or carpet. Proper crate training your dog will give you many hours of pleasure and enjoyment free from the stress of wondering, “What will he do next?” You will be able to leave him and go about your daily chores or outside activities without the worry.

Guidelines to Help You Properly use a Crate for Your Dog - A Reminder

Encouraging bad behavior by praising your dog when he barks at a stranger passing by the window or encouraging him during any bad behavior cannot be easily broken.  Owners tend to think that it is cute when they are just puppies, but when they become full grown and chase the neighbor’s child it develops into a nightmare.  Putting him into a dog crate and telling him he has been a bad dog will only make him think of the crate as punishment and that is the last thing that you want to have happen.  The crate needs to be used for his security, safety and personal space where he willingly and happily enters.

Proper Uses of a Dog Crate Are:

• A haven or SAFE place your dog wants to retreat to.  Dogs have been known to break their teeth to escape from a crate if it is being used to correct destructible behavior that is fear motivated.
• A place where he can be confined for short periods of time and still be in close proximity of family.  Placing him in a crate for 8 to 10 hours a day is not acceptable. 
• A great potty-training tool.  Dogs do not like to soil their sleeping quarters and can be easily trained to potty outside rather than in their kennel with minimal training.
• Preventive measure to keep your dog from getting into mischief.  It is a great place for him to be when you have company over for dinner.
• Safe mode of transportation.  Keeping your dog contained and away from the lap of the driver is essential to safe driving.  It also works much like an air bag does if an accident should occur.  Your pet will not become a flying missile.
• If a disaster should occur in your area, having a pet that is crate trained will keep him contained and make your chances of finding him alive later possible.
• If you have accustomed your dog to being confined in a crate when you are home and then extended the periods that you need to be away from him will ease his anxieties and fears and keep him content until your return.
• As his own personal sleeping quarters.  A crate that has a cushion, pillow or blanket containing his smell will lull him to sleep at night and allow you to obtain a peaceful sleep as well.

Choosing the right crate to fit the size and temperament of your pet is of utmost importance.  At Canine Crate Store, it is my goal to help you achieve this goal.

Encourage Your Freind to Love His/Her Dog Crate

There is nothing cruel or inhumane about having a crate for your dog when used as his private den.  Genetically dogs are den animals and are wired to seek den-like enclosures rather than living in wide open spaces.  Left in the wild, they would seek out places under heavy brush where predators would not hunt and there made a bowl like hole in the ground to sleep and to nurture their young.  Because we have domesticated the dog, we have also provided them with a crate that resembles as closely as possible the den they would have created for themselves in the wild.

Placing a dog crate in the home and furnishing it with a blanket or a dog crate bed and/or cover instinctively allows your pet to imagine that he is in the wild and is protected from harm.  Leaving the door open and letting him wander in and out at his leisure provides him with a sense of crawling out of his den that has been hidden by the bushes. He will think of his crate as a den and will want to be inside when frightened, needing rest or just wanting to be left alone.

Just as a dog will not soil his den in the wild; he will desire to keep his crate free from soil and will wait for you to let him outside to potty.  Using a dog crate to potty train a puppy works very well for this reason.  The technique of using a crate to train your pet to wait until he is taken outside to potty reinforces his natural instinct to keep his den clean.

Proper Use of a Dog Crate Helps with These Safety Issues:

• When inside the crate he cannot chew on electric cords.
• When inside the crate you do not have to be concerned about his whereabouts
• It affords a safe place when transporting in a vehicle
• Inside the crate, he cannot chew on poisonous plants

Dog Crates provide a safe place for your pet and when used properly they are an asset.  Our pets love to play and they need plenty of exercise for bone and muscle development.  Being a social animal they also need to have lots of socialization with other dogs as well as with their human family.  It is recommended by the experts that four hours without a break is a long time for many adult dogs.  They do not recommend crating your dog for an entire day.  They need to be let out for exercise as well as socialization.  Also, after two hours they will need to stretch their legs and have a fresh bowl of water.  Remember that dog crates are not a substitute for love, affection, and proper training.   They need to want to be in their crates and most adult dogs will be content there during the night and will retreat there on their own without any encouragement.  Keep the dog crate a happy place.

Getting Your Canine to Go In His Dog Crate

No matter if you have an older dog or a pup, crate training is a great training method for your pet. Introducing your canine properly is a key factor to the outcome of your crate training success. No matter how difficult it gets, never force it. You must be patient and take your time. Always go at a pace at which your dog is comfortable. If you rush it, you can get off to a bad start. If that happens, your canine may not ever want to go inside the crate.

One of the first things to do is make it a comfortable place for your pet to be when inside. Putting it where you plan to keep it permanently helps make it more normal to your pet. If possible, it is ideal to keep it in a location that makes your pet feel like a member of the family. I like putting the crate in the living room or bedroom, but anywhere comfortable is good.

It's a great idea to put his or her favorite bed or blanket and a few favorite toys in the crate. After setting it up, go about life as you normally would, paying little attention to the new addition to your home. This will make your canine more curious about the crate, and likely to explore it on his own.

It is really up to your canine to check out the crate on his or her own. Never force your canine inside under any circumstances. It will only lead to frustration and difficulty. It is very critical that your pet explore it on his or her own. Place a treat inside if you like. That makes nearly every canine curious. Being patient is another key factor. Leave the crate in its place for several days and see how your canine behaves with it. Once your pet gets used to it just being part of the home, he or she will eventually enter it, especially if his or her nose is following the scent of something good inside. If necessary, you might have to positively coax your pet inside with another treat. Positively is the key here. Again, never force your dog inside. It will only make it a negative place to be.

At first, leave the dog crate open. Don't lock your canine inside. This helps make it a comfortable place to be. Let your pet come and go as he or she pleases at first. You will be off to a great start. Many people find that they rarely have to lock it if they start out this way. Their canines think of it as a safe haven and actually go there when needed. Others, like me, have to leave for longer periods of time during the day. If your pet likes to be destructive when you are away, you will need to keep him or her inside at some point. Take your time before locking your pet inside. Taking a few weeks to make it comfortable is a key aspect to being successful.

It's important to note, that you should never use the crate for punishment. Don't send your canine to the crate for doing something you don't like. Dogs don't comprehend that type of punishment. If you do this, the crate will quickly become associated with a place of punishment to your canine. Getting your pet to go inside becomes extremely difficult if this happens. It is much easier to do it right the first time than to go back and correct behaviors that have already been learned.

Done properly, dog crate training is a wonderful and positive experience for both you and your canine. It is a great foundation for all training, and opens up the sky as the limit for your dog.

Start Dog Crate Training this New Year

By now you have probably heard or read about the use of dog crates in training your dogs.  If you haven't been crate trained your dog, this new year, take a good look at the benefits that positive crate training can have on you and your dog.  Some people are very pro crate training, and others are against using a dog crate for training.  They believe that it is an act of punishment.  I understand both sides, and in reality, it can be both.  It really depends on you the dog master and how you use the crate.  If used negatively, please don't use a dog crate for training your dog.  If you use it in a positive manner, then I am one of the biggest supporters of crate training out there.   There are many articles, blog,s and professional trainers that can guide you in properly using one of these great tools to train your dog.  I have actually posted a few articles on the web, and written some short blog posts in this blog to help refresh your memory about dog crates and using them for training.  If you are new to the subject, once again, I suggest you talk with one of the many great professional trainers to get you going in the right direction.  Many of us have dogs.  Some are new puppies, and some are older.  Any dog can be crate trained!  It is their natural instinct to be den animals, and they understand that concept.  This new year, let's make a goal to properly implement a dog crate in our dog's life and we will see fantastic results.

Dog Crate Safety for the Holidays

The Holidays are upon us and it is a wonderful time to spend with your families, friends, and loved ones.  The Holiday season is stressful for some as well as a time for enjoyment.  The same goes for our dogs too.  Being around many new and loud people can cause stress in our dogs.  Dog crates come in very handy during this time of year.  Make sure you properly use a dog crate for you dog during the Holiday season as well as any other time of year.  Your dog can be overwhelmed with all of the different faces and emotions that our human family members can bring during this time of year.  Especially when young children are involved, keep an extra eye out for any signs of stress on your pet.  While your dog may be the nicest, calmest dog in the world, Unfamiliar and unwanted attention could bring out a reaction that is not desired.  If put in a situation that your pet does not enjoy, he or she will likely use the fight or flight mechanism.  This does not mean that your dog is a bad or mean dog.  It is just a natural instinct.  That is when your dog crate can be a very comfortable safe haven for your pet during this stressful season.  If you keep an eye out for the early warning signs such as you dog moving away when being approached, and doing everything possible to remove itself from a situation, then you will be far ahead of the game and be able to put your dog in its crate before you ever see hair standing on end, a curled lip, or a growl.  Obviously, these signs are not desired behaviors from your dog, but watching out for them could prevent a more disastrous behavior.  Dog crates are great tools, both for training and for providing a safe environment for both your pet and your guests.  Use them properly and have a safe and happy holiday.

Dog Crate for The Dog Who Almost Ruined Christmas

I was talking with my mother on the phone the other day, and the conversation found us talking about dogs.  We were remembering some of the fun times we had with our dogs when I was a child.  Then we started talking about one time when our dog almost ruined Christmas.  We had left the house for a little while, and when we came back, it was a mouth opening experience what we saw next.  Our wonderful pooch had knocked over the Christmas Tree, ornaments were broken, and the lights strung all over the house.  I had forgotten about this, I think we remember our childhood pets as perfect, at least I do.  After my mom reminded me of that story, I remembered how our family learned that Christmas the importance of a dog crate.  Had we only used that simple training tool, our tree would have been standing upright when we cam home that day.  My dogs today are far from perfect, but they know and use their dog crates whenever they decide to retreat to a safe place.  We also know to use their dog crates when we need to leave the house.  It is great protection for the things that could have been.

Wood Dog Crates - A Quick Look

Wood dog crates offer a beautiful alternative to some of the duller plastic and wire dog crates.  They  come in a variety of sizes shapes, colors, and styles.  One of the best options for a wood dog crate is shown above.  This is a crate enclosure by Midwest Pet Products (Heritage Series).  It is actually a wood cover that goes over you already existing wire crate.  It is a nice option for people who already have a dog crate .  It comes in a nice cherry wood finish and can be used as an end table or other piece of furniture.  For those who do not have a dog crate, there are many other options as well.  There are some very nice wood dog crates available on the market to purchase.  Some have wire in the middle for your dog's protection and ventilation, and there are others that are made from solid wood.  They also include plenty of ventilation for your dog.  Wood dog crates are very finely constructed and do cost more than traditional dog crates but for those who are willing to spend the extra money, they really make a nice piece of furniture and also serve a useful purpose for your pet too.

A Fashionable Dog Crate or Carrier for Your New Holiday Puppy

The Holidays are creeping up on us, and with that we must be looking for that perfect gift for our loved ones.  Nothing says love more than the gift of a new puppy, and nothing compliments a new puppy like a high quality dog crate or dog carrier.  Imagine that little furry surprise that will love you unconditionally.  It really is a great experience.  There have been many books, articles, blogs, videos, and so on about the importance of implementing a dog crate in your dog's training, and your Holiday pup should be no different.  Start out right and you will eliminate the crazy madness that can come with an teenage dog.  The great thing about dog crates and dog carriers this year, is that there are so many styles and colors out there.  Even if you are the type that thinks crates are punishment, take a look at what is available.  You will probably find that the great designs of today actually create a warm and peaceful place for your dog.  Even a plain wire or plastic crate can be complimented with a plush dog bed or cover.  Happy Holidays!

Had We Only Used a Dog Crate

I grew up with dogs my whole life. One of the best dogs we ever had when I was growing up was Bud. Bud was a Chocolate Lab and was to be our next great bird dog. He was one of the smartest dogs I had ever seen. It was towards the end of my high school years, and I was soon to be moving off to start my own life. My parents seemed to baby this dog more than others we had while growing up, maybe because their kids were leaving. I don't know, but he has spoiled. Bud never had to go to his dog crate or his dog kennel. In fact, I don't remember if he ever had one. Anyway, training Bud was an experience. Despite his intelligence, he was rebellious. He would roam the neighborhood freely and even chewed up one of his training videos. Of all the videos we had, that was the one he decided to chew. He was like a bad teenager. We got through all of this, and he ended up being one of the best dogs and definitely the most memorable dog of my youth. He was fabulous, but we could have eliminated some of the frustrating experiences had we only used a dog crate or dog kennel from the beginning. One of the saddest days of my life was finding out we had lost Bud to cancer. This one's for you Bud.

Best Plastic Dog Crate

The Fashion Series Vari Kennel dog crate by Petmate is the premier plastic dog crate out there. It has been recommended by vets and animal experts around the world. The Fashion Vari Kennel combines value with preferred features such as heavy duty plastic shells, wire doors, vents and plastic wing nuts that will not corrode. Its strength and durability are far greater than any other plastic style dog crate in its class. It is Airline Approved, and comes with a 5 year manufacturer warranty. Not bad for something that is going to have a lot of wear and tear on it. It comes in a variety of sizes from small to giant which will house most any type of dog you can think of.

The Pheasant Hunt Draws Near

My family has been an avid group of pheasant hunters my entire life. Many Stories have been told around the dinner table. This year one in particular enters my mind. We were out on the ditch banks hunting an open beet field with our two Brittany Spaniels, Gyp and Rowdy. This was Rowdy's first hunt. He was still a pup full of energy. We were hoping Gyp, his father, would teach him a thing or two. Rowdy was a perfect hunter. He would sniff and hunt right in front of my father's feet and then go run and hide under a beet leaf. I'd say he was right on track. The one thing he did do right, however, was jump up in his dog crate and sleep the whole ride home. We have always crated our dogs, and secured the crate in the back of the pickup truck. Nothing bothers me more when it comes to dogs than a dog freely roaming the back of a pickup truck going down the highway at full speed. Take care of your canine companion no matter if you hunt or not, and he will give you many unforgettable years. Travel safe this season and make sure your dog travels safe in his dog crate too.