Should i cage my dog

Step 1: Introduce your dog to the crate Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. If yours isn't one of them: Bring them over to the crate and talk to them in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the crate door is open and secured so that it won't hit your dog and frighten them. Encourage your dog to enter the crate by dropping some small food treats nearby, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate.

If they refuse to go all the way in at first, that's OK; don't force them to enter. Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog will walk calmly all the way into the crate to get the food. This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days. Step 2: Feed your dog meals in the crate After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding them their regular meals near the crate.

If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2, place the food dish or interactive puzzle toy stuffed with food all the way at the back of the crate. If they remain reluctant to enter, put the dish only as far inside as they will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you feed them, place the dish a little further back in the crate. The first time you do this, open the door as soon as they finish their meal. If they begin to whine to be let out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly.

Next time, try leaving them in the crate for a shorter time period. Step 3: Practice with longer crating periods After your dog is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short periods of time while you're home.

Call them over to the crate and give them a treat. Give them a voice cue to enter, such as "crate. After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time and then let them out.

Repeat this process several times a day, gradually increasing the length of time you leave them in the crate and the length of time you're out of sight. This may take several days or weeks. Step 4, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving them crated for short periods when you leave the house. Put them in the crate using your regular command and a treat. Some place they go to be left alone or out of the way but still with the family.

Dill knows her kennel is her area. No one bothers her or pulls her out. They just leave her be. She gets her Kong in her kennel so she'll lay down in it when she sees me with the peanut butter jar. I'm so glad you're asking this. Crates have unfortunately become really popularized recently. This is a really sad situation.

You should definitely let your dog sleep in your room with you if you'd like. Dogs LOVE to sleep with their people. Also, I would leave the door open at all times so it can come and go freely.

Really, I'd put it in storage and only use it for transport. Btw- crates are banned in Sweden and Finland unless the door is removed. Let your Angel be free now! Have fun! Greg h said:. I think crates are banned in Sweden and Finland. Thumbs up! It is always best to use white as background for content-based websites. Stay active, and YouTube will thank you with web page.

You are of course speed up this process with a version of a legitimate SEO methods. I should say that I'm very against crates cages for any reason.

If I were you, when you need to leave for a while, put your dog in a small room with food, water, bed, etc. Even in the bathroom would be better than in a cage. That way the space is limited- but not scary like being locked in.

Barbara J said:. I have a new 6 month old Yorkie, who I was told is crate trained, but she hates it. I put her in at night and she howls and cries all night. She doesn't seem to have the need for a cave that I keep seeing, she just wants to sit on my foot, any separation sets her off. I have it sitting by my chair in the living room but she's never gone in by herself.

And tossing treats in don't work, she's not interested in them tried several brands. I need sleep! SusanKaplan said:. Why crate a dog who doesnt want to be crated? Hire a trainer to help you learn to potty train her, then pet proof your house. Crates are made up by pet companies as a gimic to make you buy them. Dogs dont really need them. Please get rid of that crate! They have been so popularized that people think they're fine. They're not. The whole "den" argument doesn't hold up because dens don't have doors.

If you feel you need it then leave the door open so it can decide for itself whether to go in. Read what PETA has to say about them. They are banned in Sweden and Finland unless the door is open. Set your doggy free! Jeff Logan said:. Thank you Jennifer for a really thorough guide on crates and the role that they can play.

I wanted to just add a comment about traveling with a crated pet and the importance of food and water being provided even during the travel period. I work for a company that makes kennel bowls that can collapse flat for storage against the side of the crate, then can pop open for snacks or water while in transit.

Please dont take this article seriously. Anyone who tells you to crate your dog for half the day and then overnight is out of their mind and should not own a dog. That is cruel. What is wrong with people? Its a dog with real psychological needs, train it and then let it freely roam your house.

This article is a disgrace. My 8 month old cross shi tzu got neutered is so energetic her stiches broke inside. She has just been restiched today and vet insists she has to live 24hrs in crate for 12 days. She is crying bitterly i am going to sleep on sofa next to her. What can i do i am so worrief about her being in crate. Alex said:. Holy cow that's barbaric. If you're doing that on a regular basis you shouldn't own a dog. How would you like to spend the night and half the day in a crate?!

Sandra Mae said:. In Australia, we only use crates for airline transport. No one 'crates' a dog here. Common sense should be your guide when it comes to crate training. Good, positive associations will help your pup love his crate for the rest of his life.

Val has been with Petcurean for over 12 years and in the dog game since , when she got her first Golden Retriever. She has been active as a breeder, conformation exhibitor, obedience exhibitor, agility and flyball enthusiast. I have nothing but compliments for your products…Rosie and I both thank you!

We'll help you find the food that is right for your pet even if it isn't our own. Dogs September 15, Help With House Training Crates are great for house training. Household Safety Having your dog resting comfortably in his crate while you are not able to supervise him is a bonus. Safer Travel Car travel in a crate is far safer for both of you than having him loose in the car. If you pick a crate that is too large, your dog may use a portion of the crate as a toilet. Pick a crate that is just large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down comfortably, at least until the dog is house trained.

Most wire crates come with a divider to block off a portion of the crate in order to make it smaller. With a plastic crate, place a box in the back half of the crate to make the space smaller.

With these adjustment tricks, you do not have to buy multiple crates as your puppy grows. When your dog is toilet trained but not mature enough to be left loose in the house, feel free to go with a larger crate so the dog really has room to stretch out.

I recommend placing the crate in an area of the house where both you and the dog can access it easily. The crate should be close enough to be handy, but out of the way enough that it is not going to be tripped over constantly. I usually place a crate right beside my bed; it helps teach puppies to sleep in the crate if you are right beside them and they don't feel so alone.

I place another crate in a corner of my living room. It works best for a dog to be introduced to a crate gradually, rather than just plopping him in for the night or long periods. When your new dog or puppy first comes home, acclimate him to the crate by tossing a treat in, leaving the door open so that the dog can enter and exit freely. When your dog is comfortable going in and out of the crate, toss a treat inside and close the door for a second or two before letting the dog out.

Place a bed or mat that your dog already likes into the crate. This will help reduce any startling noises when the dog enters the crate.

The dog will also be familiar with the bed, which could make him more willing to go into the crate. When you are not training, leave the crate open and place your dog's toy basket or favorite toys inside. Feed your dog meals in the crate, starting by leaving the door open and, as training progresses, closing it. If you give your dog any special treats, chewies, or bones, give them to him in the crate.

A special bonus of having the mat in the crate is that the dog will begin to associate good things with the mat after being fed on it. Take the mat with you to the vet. Place it on the floor in the waiting room, on the scale, and in the exam room to help your dog become more comfortable and relaxed during vet visits. When the dog is going into the crate willingly, add a cue for entering the crate. Try "crate" or "bed" or "go in. Soon your dog or puppy will be going into the crate on cue and eagerly.

Next, give the crate cue and wait for the puppy to go in on its own. Stop tossing the treat and wait for the puppy to enter. When the dog does go in, say "Yes! Start training a release cue at this time.

The release cue tells your dog when he or she is free to leave the crate. This training step has the added benefit of encouraging and increasing self control. Your dog learns to remain calm and not rush out, even with the crate door wide open. Cue the entrance, mark with yes or click, and treat. Almost immediately, say your release cue try "ok," "free," "break," or "get out" and toss a treat on the floor outside of the crate.