Crate training your dog will take time and effort, but it will be beneficial in a number of circumstances. If you have a new puppy or dog, you can use a crate to restrict his access to the house until he knows all of the house rules, such as what he can and cannot chew on and where he can and cannot eliminate. A crate is also a discreet way to move your dog in the car and to areas where he might not be allowed to run around freely. If you successfully teach your dog to use the crate, he will regard it as his safe haven.
A crate offers a comfortable environment for rescue dogs to adapt to their new surroundings as well as the convenience of not having to fight for their own room. Since these rescue dogs are afraid of certain people or situations, crates offer comfort. This is especially true for dogs who have experienced neglect or violence in the past. Crates give rescue dogs the assurance that they have their own space and that no one can harm them there. Many rescue dogs lack socialization skills, which can lead to destructive behavior or excessive barking. Crate preparation will boost their self-esteem and help them from misbehaving. Crate training is beneficial to hunting dogs because it keeps them relaxed during hunts and when travelling.
Crating caution
A crate isn’t a miracle cure for canine misbehavior. A dog will feel stuck and irritated if it is not used properly.
- Never use the crate to beat your dog. Your dog would develop a fear of it and refuse to go inside.
- Don’t keep your dog in the crate for an extended period of time. Crate-bound dogs don’t get enough exercise or human contact, and they can become depressed or nervous. To minimize the duration of hours your dog spends in their crate per day, you can need to adjust your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or enroll your dog in a daycare centre.
- Puppies under the age of six months cannot be crated for more than three to four hours at a stretch. They can’t keep their bladders or bowels under control for so long. Adult dogs that have been housetrained are in the same boat.
- Crate the dog until he or she can be left alone in the house without causing any accidents or destructive behavior. You should progress your dog from a crate to an enclosed area of your home, such as the kitchen, before allowing them full access to the house when you’re out. When you’re at home, make sure the crate has a soft bed and that the door is left open so your dog can get in when they need a safe place.
- Your dog’s den might be a crate, but just as you wouldn’t spend your whole life in one room of your house, your dog does not spend the majority of his time in his crate.
