Where
can I find dog crates?
For
the largest selection and best value, click here:
Pet Crates. Dog
Crates come in many styles and materials, pick
the one that best suits your needs.
What
kind of dog crate should I get?
The
most popular dog crates are made of plastic or
heavy welded steel wire. Plastic dog crates
are molded two-piece units with ventilation areas along
the sides and a welded steel wire door in front. They're
lightweight, portable and are easily taken apart for
storage or travel. Some of them come in decorator colors! The best plastic dog
crates called the Sky kennel meet federal regulations
for airline travel. To see the Sky Kennel dog crates
click here: Sky Kennel Dog Crates.
A great dog crate to haul your pet in the car, try the
Pet taxi dog crates. These dog crates are designed to
hook to the cars seat belts for your dogs safety. To
see the Pet Taxi dog crates click here: Pet Taxi Dog Crates
Wire dog
crates are very popular and depending on your dog's
needs, they may be a better than plastic dog crates.
You'll need to shop more carefully for a wire dog
crates because quality and style vary greatly. Some
of them are flimsy and not meant to be collapsed for
storage. Others, advertised as "collapsible", do so
only with great difficulty and don't fold down to a
convenient size. Look for sturdy dog crates with
heavy gauge wire that are easily folded down into a
"suitcase-style" shape for transportation and storage.
Although they aren't approved for airline use, I prefer the
wire dog crates in my home because they offer
better ventilation. The best wire dog crates can be
found here: Best Wire Dog Crates.
How
big should the dog crate be?
Dog
crates need only be big enough for the dog to stand
up, turn around and lie down comfortably. I
like them to be just long enough for my dogs to stretch
out on their sides to sleep. Growing puppies can be
a problem when buying dog crates. Not everyone
can afford to buy a new dog crate for each
stage of growth. If you by too large of
a dog crate it can make a puppy harder to crate
train/housebreak. Fortunately, dividers are available
for some high quality dog crates like
PetMate. Then you can shrink and expand the puppy's
space as needed. Here is top of the line PetMate
dog crates ;Click Here: PetMate Dog Crates.
How
much are dog crates?
You
can expect to pay between $50 - $125. for a quality dog
crate for a medium to large dog. While it may sound
like a lot, a good dog crate will outlive several
dogs and quickly pays for itself in peace of mind and
undamaged carpets, furniture and belongings. When ordering
dog crates be aware that shipping on larger dog crates
can be almost as much as the dog crate. Look for dog
crates that offer free shipping or fixed cost shipping.
Here is a website that offers free shipping on dog crates
over $100. Dog crates under $100. a fixed shipping
price is $9.99 Click here to see these: Imperial Dog Crates.
How
do I get my puppy used to dog crates? I've tried putting
him in it but he cries so much, I let him out after
a few minutes. He doesn't like it and I feel sorry for
him.
If
small children and puppies could have their way, they'd
choose to run free all the time without any restrictions.
Unfortunately, because they don't have the maturity
to handle that freedom and keep themselves out of trouble,
they have to learn to accept periods of confinement.
The key word is "accept" - it doesn't mean they'll like
it right away. Most dogs bark and complain during the
first few days. Once they begin to accept this new restriction
on their freedom, they quiet down and learn to enjoy
it.
Growing
puppies alternate periods of activity and rest throughout
the day. There's no reason they can't do their resting
in a dog crate, like a baby taking a nap in a playpen
or crib. By keeping the puppy on a regular schedule
of feedings and exercise, you can control his natural
rest periods. If you put the puppy in his dog crate
when he's already tired and ready to settle down, he'll
get used to his new "bedroom" faster.
In
the beginning, he should only be expected to stay in
the dog crate for 2 hours at a time and overnight.
During his periods out of the dog crate, your puppy
needs plenty of playtime and attention. I like to give
puppies at least an hour between crating periods where
they're played with, loved, allowed to explore and romp.
This burns off their boundless puppy energy and helps
them understand that crating is only a temporary thing.
Special
toys and treats help make his "room" a pleasant place
to stay. Give the puppy a small treat every time he
has to go into his dog crate. Better still, toss
the treat into the dog crate so he can jump in
after it. (If you want him to learn to go in the dog
crate on command, say "Crate up" when you toss the treat.
He won't understand right away but before long he'll
put three important things together in his mind - "Crate
up" + Dog Crate = Treat!)
You've
given him a reward for going into the dog crate,
now you need to give him an incentive to stay in there
quietly. Make his "room" comfortable. Get him a soft
but hard to destroy blanket or bed They can be found
here: Puppy Pads & Beds.
Get him a selection of toys but don't give them all
to him at once, just one or two at a time. Rotate the
toys. Puppies get bored easily and switching the toys
around makes them seem new and exciting.
Dogs
learn quickly when their behavior is associated with
a reward. Behavior that doesn't result in a reward often
disappears when there's nothing in it for them. It's
normal for many puppies to bark, whine, howl or throw
tantrums when first being crate-trained. If you let
your puppy out of the dog crate while he's upset,
you'll be rewarding him for bad behavior. The next time
he's supposed to go in his dog crate, he'll cry
and bark again because that's what got him out the last
time.
For
many puppies, just ignoring their complaints is enough
to make them stop. If it doesn't get them anywhere,
they soon give it up and find something better to do
like sleep or play with a toy. Stubborn puppies might
need a harsh-sounding "No!" and a rap on the top of
the crate to help them get over their tantrums. Whatever
you do, don't take him out of the dog crate until
he's quieted down.
I've
got an adult dog that's never been in a crate before.
Is it too late to train her?
No,
it's never too late! Older dogs can often
learn faster than puppies. At first let her smell
and investigate the dog crate with the door open.
Feed him meals in it and have him jump in and
out of it for treats. Just as you would with a puppy,
you should make the dog crate a comfortable place
to be and keep crating periods short in the beginning.
Once accustomed to them, many dogs enjoy spending
time in the crates even when they don't have to. Crates
are a favorite place to retreat with a new toy or
get some relief from a rambunctious puppy or child.
There are several crates around my house and at any
given time, you can find dogs napping in them, the
doors standing wide open. They even argue about who
gets to use certain crates. Would they react this
way to something they thought of as a cage? Not hardly!
Some
hints for crate use:
| • |
When
telling the dog to go into his dog crate,
use a command such as “Crate up.” |
| • |
To
get the dog accustomed to staying in the dog
crate, give him meals or treats in the dog
crate with the door open. |
| • |
Put
some washable bedding and a toy in the dog
crate for comfort. |
| • |
DO
NOT use the dog crate for discipline. It's
to be a happy, safe place.
|
| • |
If
the puppy or dog soils the dog crate,
don’t scold. Instead, make arrangements
so he’s not left alone for such long
periods.
|
