| To new dog owners, the advantages of crate | | | | was allowed in. The cats could sit and stare at me all |
| training their dogs may not appear obvious. They | | | | they liked -- but they couldn't come in... |
| may just have just picked up a new friend at the | | | | It felt cozy and safe, I guess sort of like the dens |
| rescue center, or have had the honor of being | | | | we would dig out before we came to live with you. |
| chosen by an enterprising canine, so the idea of | | | | Incidentally, did you know that dogs don't like to soil |
| restricting their canine companion to yet another cell | | | | their dens? So why not use a crate to help |
| simply does not occur to them. | | | | housebreak your dog? When it comes to crates, you |
| But there comes a time in any new relationship | | | | need to think outside the box. |
| where the pros and cons have to be assessed | | | | Secret Tips on Crate Training a Dog |
| carefully, and some tough decisions must be made. A | | | | Dogs and crate training are made for each other. You |
| quick survey tells the story: your home is no longer | | | | just need to handle it properly. Here are some basic |
| yours. It appears that Boomer has developed | | | | tips on crate training a dog so that he associates his |
| amazing insights into real estate law and gone into | | | | crate with something pleasant. First, make sure |
| the squatting business. | | | | everybody respects the boundaries of your dog's |
| Clearly Boomer is trying to get you to stay home | | | | new domain. He's the only one allowed in. Remember |
| with him as he chews his way through your leather | | | | to leave the door open at first, so he's not scared. |
| shoes. And if he takes over your bed so that you | | | | Boomer will quickly grasp the lair concept. |
| cannot sleep at night, you will not make it to work in | | | | Use his crate to teach him the house rules and for |
| the morning. He has even gone as far as attacking | | | | behavior training, or simply when he gets overexcited. |
| your beautiful Italian sofa! It is time to put a stop to | | | | Just make sure to associate time outs with |
| this nonsense and restore some order in your life. Let | | | | something positive. Never send him in there to punish |
| Boomer have his own squatting grounds. | | | | him. Sitting next to him while he's crated and talking |
| A Crate Versus A Cage | | | | to him gently will reinforce the fact that you're not |
| And yet you cringe at the idea of using a crate to | | | | mad at him. It's just time to relax. Just take it one |
| train Boomer. The poor little guy just got sprung | | | | step at a time. |
| from jail, and you just don't have the heart to put | | | | Got Kennel, Can Travel |
| him behind bars again. But here's the thing: you're | | | | And for Boomer's next trip to the vet, a kennel |
| looking at the whole crate and kennel thing the | | | | offers a safe mode of transportation. It will restrict |
| wrong way. Let me give you a canine perspective, | | | | him if he should ever decide to take control of the |
| and an expert one at that, on exactly what a crate | | | | car and also offers protection in case of accident. |
| means to a dog. | | | | And when you are visiting friends who may not really |
| The first nine months of my life were spent in | | | | appreciate Boomer's antics as much as you do, you |
| something that would not qualify as a crate. It was | | | | will be able to relax and enjoy your outing, knowing |
| no more than a dirty, smelly cage, and no one was | | | | he is safe in his small piece of real estate. |
| ever allowed out. Who knows what we'd all done | | | | If he should ever have to fly, an airline regulation |
| wrong, but there was hardly any food, and | | | | kennel likely won't spook him as much once he's used |
| sometimes the man would get mad and shoot one | | | | to a crate. These few dog kennel training tips will also |
| of us. That, my friend, was jail. | | | | come in handy should you decide to enroll your pet |
| My Own Crate & My Private Lair | | | | for day care at a local dog kennel while you're |
| One day, the Humane Society rescued us, and my | | | | working. Think of the peace of mind you will gain. |
| new mom and dad came and took me home. They | | | | At the very least, he will least have learned the |
| got me a big crate with a nice bed in it. I thought I | | | | basics of dog kennel behavior, and the kennel staff |
| was in big trouble again, but this time it was different: | | | | will ensure that he is properly socialized. He'll quickly |
| they left the door open! It took a little time to sink | | | | be making new friends and having the time of his life. |
| in, but then I realized that I could come and go as I | | | | From Boomer's perspective, this is one of the main |
| pleased. And something strange happened. I fell in | | | | advantages of crate training dogs... and to think that |
| love with my new crate. It was all mine. Nobody else | | | | it all started with a crate! |