| Benefits of Crates and Crate Training Tips | | | | secure Jasper until he was fully housetrained and to |
| Crates serve an important purpose in dog and puppy | | | | keep the rambunctious pup safe when she |
| training - house training, teaching dog to relax and | | | | entertained guests at home. Now that Japer is older |
| calm down, giving owners and dog a break, keep dog | | | | and trained she leaves the door off, using it as |
| and house safe. | | | | Jasper's home, letting him come and go as he |
| Crates are great for puppy house training as it goes | | | | pleases. The best-designed dens come with a door |
| against their nature to soil where they sleep. Crates | | | | that has the option to be locked and to be removed |
| also serve as a 'safe place' for puppies and dogs | | | | entirely. This way you can use the den to secure |
| when there is too much action in the house to | | | | your dog until completely trained or when you leave |
| properly watch them or care for them. Dogs crave | | | | the house and then remove the door to allow your |
| den-like enclosures and feel best in cave-like spaces, | | | | matured and well-trained dog to come and go freely |
| so crates appeal to their natural instincts and help | | | | from their 'home.' As you can see, dens are a great |
| them feel comfortable - great for breaks from | | | | compliment to your home and serve an important |
| playtime or after a long walk! Plus crate training is | | | | function in dog training and lifelong care. Now that |
| easy. | | | | you know about dens, it's important to know what |
| Here are 3 keys to successful crate training: | | | | to look for when shopping for one. |
| | | | Start with Your Home Décor and Lifestyle |
| 1. Make the crate comfy. This begins with making | | | | Think about where you spend time at home and |
| sure you get the right size for your dog. You want | | | | where you want the dog to spend time with you |
| your dog to be able to walk in, turn around and lay | | | | and your family. Living room? Kitchen? Bedroom? All |
| down. No bigger, no smaller. If the crate is too big, | | | | three? Dens come in many shapes, sizes and |
| your pup won't get the benefits the cozy den he | | | | materials, so it's important to think about where the |
| craves. If the crate is too small, your dog will feel | | | | den will be so you can match it to your home |
| cramped. If you buy a big one that a puppy can | | | | furnishings and décor. Since dens are really |
| grow into, but cardboard or a thick towel in the crate | | | | furniture, it is important to consider where you need |
| to block part of the space. Also, be sure to put a | | | | a piece of furniture as well. You may elect to get |
| comfy bed inside the crate to make it feel snug and | | | | more than one den for multiple rooms in the house. |
| keep it warm. Dogs know the difference and | | | | Having a den in the bedroom can be especially helpful |
| appreciate the comfort of a soft bed. | | | | if you like to have your dog close at night, but do |
| 2. Put the crate in a place your dog likes to be, near | | | | not want him taking up valuable space in your bed. |
| you in a room you and your family spend a lot of | | | | Since the den will serve as furniture for you for |
| time. Pets want to be near you and all the fun. Be | | | | many years to come, you will want to think about |
| sure to put the crate in the living room or family | | | | whether or not you prefer classic or modern style. |
| room where you spend most of your time. | | | | There are a few options for modern dens and the |
| 3. Get your dog used to its crate gradually. Start with | | | | best way to find a wide selection is to search for |
| the crate door open, pet and give treats to your pup | | | | 'modern dog crate furniture' via any search engine |
| while inside the crate (lots of treats!). Close the door | | | | (Google gives solid results). This search term is |
| for a few seconds at first, with treats inside, letting | | | | preferred over 'dog den' because the category is so |
| your pup out and giving him lots of praise. Every time | | | | new, the results won't give you a very wide |
| you crate your pup, load up the crate with treats. | | | | selection. |
| Gradually increase the time your dog spends in the | | | | Not all Dens are the Same |
| crate, always putting lots of your dog's favorite | | | | Avoid the dens that are wicker or plastic. These are |
| treats inside each time he goes in. Once your dog is | | | | not sturdy enough for most dogs and will not last |
| used to going inside his new home, try this: put | | | | beyond a few years, if that. Also be sure to look for |
| treats in, close the crate door with your dog on the | | | | dens that have the option to lock the door and |
| outside and watch as he begs to get into the crate. | | | | remove the door or keep it open. This will allow you |
| You can even turn training into a fun game like 'hide | | | | to get the full benefit of a den as your pet matures. |
| and seek' with his favorite toy. | | | | In the beginning years as you train you will want to |
| So, crates are great and crate training easy, right? | | | | secure the dog often, then as he learns what he can |
| It's a great place to keep your dog safe and to give | | | | and can't chew on, when and where to relieve |
| him the break he needs. But, it's ugly. We know that | | | | himself, etc. you can remove the door and the den |
| and that's why we'll next tell you about 'dens', | | | | becomes his space, his home that he can freely |
| sometimes referred to as 'dog crate furniture' (you | | | | enter and exit. |
| can use any search engine, like Google, to get | | | | Be Sure to Consider Your Dog's Personality and Size |
| results) and it allows you to integrate your pet into | | | | When searching for that perfect modern or classic |
| your home with just one purchase. | | | | den, consider the size of your pet in terms of height |
| Dens - A Home for Your Pet, Furniture for You | | | | and length. You want to make sure your den is big |
| When Sally from Bellevue, WA learned about dog | | | | enough to allow your pet to walk in, turn around and |
| dens for her dog Jasper she recognized the key | | | | lay down. Also, you want to make sure the den isn't |
| benefit right away - replacing his plastic training crate | | | | too big so your dog can feel snug and secure. If you |
| and gaining a piece of furniture for herself. What she | | | | have a puppy, get measurements for a full-grown |
| didn't know was she was purchasing a product that | | | | dog for his breed or for a mix breed, get the |
| would bring hundreds of hours of peace and | | | | measurements for a full-grown in the largest breed in |
| relaxation for Jasper. A den acts as a crate, a bed | | | | his mix. It is best to measure height and length of |
| and an end table (that's right, furniture) all in one. | | | | your dog and compare with the dimensions of the |
| Dens are a new trend in pet care and are increasing | | | | den to ensure proper fit. |
| in popularity since they actually provide function | | | | You're Ready! |
| beyond the first year of having a dog, serving as a | | | | Armed with these tips on crate training and den living |
| home for your dog and beautiful furniture for you to | | | | you're ready to start living better with your pet at |
| keep for many years to come. | | | | home. After all, better living means better |
| Densalso appeal to a dog's natural instincts for a | | | | relationships and according to Cesar Millan, |
| cave-like space similar to those their ancestors used | | | | professional dog trainer (star of his TV series, The |
| and a wall to lean against." | | | | Dog Whisperer), a strong relationship is the key to |
| A key feature of a den is that it evolves as your | | | | easy training and an obedient dog. |
| dog matures. Sally started out using her den to | | | | |