Is crate training a good way to train your dog? There are plenty of people on both sides of this question; crating, as you may know is a method of dog training which involves keeping your dog in a small cage for short periods of time. The cage, or crate as it is called is typically metal or plastic and is just large enough for the dog to turn around in, but no larger.
On the pro-crating side, people who use crate training say that it is a place which a dog can call its own " a refuge from unpleasant sounds and the rambunctious behavior of children. As mentioned above, they also argue in favor of crating a dog as part of the housebreaking process, averring that this trains a dog to wait until they are taken outside to eliminate.
One criticism leveled against crate training is that it is unnatural for a dog to spend any length of time in a confined space where it can't engage in its natural habits of exploring and roaming. It prevents dogs from being as active as they naturally are and is an unpleasant experience for the animal, they argue.
Those against argue with the position held by crate proponents that crating makes housebreaking a dog easier and that despite a dog's abhorrence of soiling its own space, puppies are especially prone to doing so; which makes it more difficult, not easier to housebreak them.
Pet owners from both schools of thought of course have the best intentions and want to take good care of their pets. The research which has been done on crate training has given dog owners no certain answer one way or the other, but there is broad agreement that when done properly, crate training has little if any ill effects and can be of some benefit to the dog.
Of course, common sense has to be exercised. Keeping your pet in a cage for many hours on end is not healthy for your dog. Four hours is the maximum length of time you should crate your dog. Keeping your dog cooped up longer than this is a serious strain on their ability to hold back from eliminating and of course, most dogs are far too active to be happy sitting still for this long.
Care also needs to be taken to prevent injury to your dog while in the crate. The cage should be examined to make sure that there are no sharp edges or anywhere that your dog's collar can snag on the crate. Any cage you keep your dog in should be sturdy enough that it won't tip or break even under vigorous jostling.
Pets which are accustomed to the crate do however tend to travel better than do others. Since they are already accustomed to spending time in close quarters, they'll be far calmer when traveling.
Another school of thought holds that pets should be left at home while their owners travel anyway. However, if it is necessary to travel with your pet, use a well built crate which prevents any foreign objects getting in, as well as falling out.
It's hard to imagine this issue being settled soon if ever, so it's up to pet owners to use their own judgment here about whether crate training is right for their dog. One good way to make a decision is to crate train your dog for a few weeks and then start leaving the door of the crate open. Let your dog decide for themselves; see if they avoid the crate or choose to spend time in it. - 29953
On the pro-crating side, people who use crate training say that it is a place which a dog can call its own " a refuge from unpleasant sounds and the rambunctious behavior of children. As mentioned above, they also argue in favor of crating a dog as part of the housebreaking process, averring that this trains a dog to wait until they are taken outside to eliminate.
One criticism leveled against crate training is that it is unnatural for a dog to spend any length of time in a confined space where it can't engage in its natural habits of exploring and roaming. It prevents dogs from being as active as they naturally are and is an unpleasant experience for the animal, they argue.
Those against argue with the position held by crate proponents that crating makes housebreaking a dog easier and that despite a dog's abhorrence of soiling its own space, puppies are especially prone to doing so; which makes it more difficult, not easier to housebreak them.
Pet owners from both schools of thought of course have the best intentions and want to take good care of their pets. The research which has been done on crate training has given dog owners no certain answer one way or the other, but there is broad agreement that when done properly, crate training has little if any ill effects and can be of some benefit to the dog.
Of course, common sense has to be exercised. Keeping your pet in a cage for many hours on end is not healthy for your dog. Four hours is the maximum length of time you should crate your dog. Keeping your dog cooped up longer than this is a serious strain on their ability to hold back from eliminating and of course, most dogs are far too active to be happy sitting still for this long.
Care also needs to be taken to prevent injury to your dog while in the crate. The cage should be examined to make sure that there are no sharp edges or anywhere that your dog's collar can snag on the crate. Any cage you keep your dog in should be sturdy enough that it won't tip or break even under vigorous jostling.
Pets which are accustomed to the crate do however tend to travel better than do others. Since they are already accustomed to spending time in close quarters, they'll be far calmer when traveling.
Another school of thought holds that pets should be left at home while their owners travel anyway. However, if it is necessary to travel with your pet, use a well built crate which prevents any foreign objects getting in, as well as falling out.
It's hard to imagine this issue being settled soon if ever, so it's up to pet owners to use their own judgment here about whether crate training is right for their dog. One good way to make a decision is to crate train your dog for a few weeks and then start leaving the door of the crate open. Let your dog decide for themselves; see if they avoid the crate or choose to spend time in it. - 29953
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