Crates For Dogs - Introducing Your Dog to Its Crate
As crates for dogs have become more common in dog owner's homes the question that is frequently asked is - when should I introduce the crate into my dog's routine? The accepted approach is to aim to have the crate in the house when you bring your dog home.
That way you can ensure that the use of the crate is part of your dog's routine right from the outset - and more important before your new friend gets into any other routine, which you will then need to break if the crate is brought into the home at a later stage.
Dogs, by nature, are den animals and when you provide them with a crate that is just what it is - their den in your home - their own little piece of space, their very own private room.
Their crate must be somewhere that they enjoy being - where they actually look forward to retreating to for their own peace and quiet - perhaps away from the hectic life in the house.
A small but important point that needs to be kept in mind - your dog only needs one bed, make it the crate.
Just like us humans they don't need to have to make too many choices.
As well as being den animals dogs are also pack animals and now they are part of your pack - your family.
Keep this in mind when deciding on the positioning of the crate.
Your dog has it owns natural coat so it does not want to be too close to any heat source but it does want to be in a draft free area.
As your dog is now part of a new pack then place the crate where they can hear the members of the house and if possible see the rest of the 'pack', - it is reassuring for your dog to know that they are not on their own.
It is very important that you never make use of the crate as a form of punishment.
As with every element of your dogs training it must only be associated with pleasure and enjoyment.
It is their special place - a place of safety and security - that should be the only association that they have.
Certainly never attempt to get your dogs attention or reprimand it by shacking or banging on the crate as this will frighten them and cause stress and anxiety.
That way you can ensure that the use of the crate is part of your dog's routine right from the outset - and more important before your new friend gets into any other routine, which you will then need to break if the crate is brought into the home at a later stage.
Dogs, by nature, are den animals and when you provide them with a crate that is just what it is - their den in your home - their own little piece of space, their very own private room.
Their crate must be somewhere that they enjoy being - where they actually look forward to retreating to for their own peace and quiet - perhaps away from the hectic life in the house.
A small but important point that needs to be kept in mind - your dog only needs one bed, make it the crate.
Just like us humans they don't need to have to make too many choices.
As well as being den animals dogs are also pack animals and now they are part of your pack - your family.
Keep this in mind when deciding on the positioning of the crate.
Your dog has it owns natural coat so it does not want to be too close to any heat source but it does want to be in a draft free area.
As your dog is now part of a new pack then place the crate where they can hear the members of the house and if possible see the rest of the 'pack', - it is reassuring for your dog to know that they are not on their own.
It is very important that you never make use of the crate as a form of punishment.
As with every element of your dogs training it must only be associated with pleasure and enjoyment.
It is their special place - a place of safety and security - that should be the only association that they have.
Certainly never attempt to get your dogs attention or reprimand it by shacking or banging on the crate as this will frighten them and cause stress and anxiety.
