Dog Training and Dog Care – Crates Aren’t Cruel
I’m putting together some tips to help people get the best out of their puppies in the first 30-60 days. So I’ve been thinking about all kinds of aspects of living with a new puppy.
I didn’t use crates when I started out with dogs because I felt they were cruel. Having the dog penned up in a small space when we were out just didn’t seem right or fair. Because my own dogs were quick to learn the rules of house-training and weren’t destructive when left, I never thought about using one.
However when I started the rescue work, my foster dogs were unknown quantities. We had no idea what they would be like on their own. Some definitely would never have been housetrained. We also had no idea how they would react to our cats!
We were loaned a giant (wolfhound size) crate by the rescue and started to use it. It was a godsend. We did not have to worry about the foster dog, the house or the cats. The crate avoided house soiling, chewing, cat chasing and gave us time to assess the foster dog before we decided whether it was ok to be left ‘out’.
We did make sure our foster dog wasn’t left in the crate for more than 6 hours. We also made sure it had access to water and soft bedding so it was comfortable. The bed was in the same place our dogs slept so it had company at night and during the day, which reduced any separation anxiety.
When we let our foster dogs ‘out’ some of them continued to use the open crate as their bed. Some of our dogs took turns to use it as well. It was especially useful when there were fireworks. We would cover the crate with a blanket and my lurcher Jess would hide in it.
If used properly, dogs come to look on the crate as their safe cosy place. It’s a place for bed-time and for snoozing in during the day. It’s also
- a safe haven from anything noisy or troublesome, such as excitable children or fireworks
- great for settling in rescue dogs, and houstraining both them and new puppies
- great for dealing with dogs with separation anxiety who are simply destructive otherwise (or training them out of separation anxiety)
- useful for confining badly injured dogs which must rest and recover.
So I would recommend using a crate now. I still have a travel crate (a soft mesh one) and a wire mesh one. The wire one currently is a safe haven for the cat away from Arwen – who just wants to play with her!
Crates must never be used as a punishment. You should never put a dog in a crate if it’s been naughty. Reprimand it – yes. But don’t cage it for hours on end. Because the dog will learn the crate is an unhappy place and will never willingly go in.
Teach your dog that it’s crate is a safe and happy place and you will have a harminous home. Have it’s bedding and toys in there. Make sure it also has access to water – there are bolt on water bowls available online and from many good pet stores.
Plus you’ll always be able to fly and travel with your pet without it getting stressed to the max.
Crates can be used in the garage, if that’s where your dog is going to sleep at night and when you are out during the day. However please remember to have a light on during the day for the dog if there is no natural light. If you are leaving the dog in the garage, make sure it has plenty of proper family and house time as soon as there is someone in – and especially at weekends.
Top tip - Always buy a wire mesh crate which is the biggest one you can fit in. The giant (wolfhound)size if possible. This gives your dog maximum space and you don’t waste money on another one as your puppy grows!
Top Tip 2 – Always, always, always teach your dog to see the crate as it’s bed and safe place. Associate the crate with nice things and never use it as a punishment.
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