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Some owners believe the use of crates in the home is cruel and uncaring. So that there is no misunderstanding about the use of crates, let us look at what dogs in the wild do.
Dogs are territorial and mark their surroundings with their scent by urinating on the ground or objects in the area that they have claimed as theirs. This tells other dogs that may wander into
this area that this territory has been claimed. Within the territory, a dog will seek out a small, enclosed area, called a den. The den is the dog's safe haven where it will sleep and go to escape
danger or bad weather. The den is generally a place that is completely covered, except for the entrance, and resembles a cave. This offers the dog a means of feeling safe from any attacks from the
rear, where he has only to watch the opening for oncoming danger. This allows the dog the opportunity to escape or defend his domain. He is comfortable knowing that he has to guard only one opening
and that nothing can approach from any other direction. This instinct is in all dogs: wild and domestic. Crate training is a means of providing your dog his own place of safety, his den, within the
home.
Why crate train? It provides the dog with a place of his own, where he can feel secure and comfortable. It provides the owner with a means of removing the dog from the presence of those that are
uncomfortable around dogs, without completely isolating the dog from its family.
It is best to start crate training your dog while he is still a puppy. This will help establish some of the ground rules, without causing too much stress. Start by placing a toy or treat in the
crate and letting him go inside to get it. Allow him to go slowly. A new crate has a number of different scents on it, and it may be a bit confusing to him. Before you acquired the crate, numerous
people handled it, and their scents are on it,as well. Just let the puppy take his time. Do not force the puppy into the crate, as this will scare him and cause him to develop a fear of being placed
in it. If this happens, you will have to fight with him just to get him inside.
Once the puppy is in the crate, play with him. Do not close the door. Block the opening with your body, but allow him the time to become comfortable in knowing that the crate is not a danger. When
he is going in and out of the crate freely and without hesitation, you may then close the door.
When the door is closed and the puppy realizes that he cannot get out, he may begin to chew or claw the crate. On the other hand, he may begin howling or barking. If this happens, ignore him. Any
attention you pay him while he is trying to escape the crate tells the dog that he can get your attention by chewing, clawing, barking, or howling. The dog is now training you. Allow him some time to
settle down and relax. Remember to leave a toy with him to prevent him from being bored. Once he has calmed down and rested for approximately 20 minutes, you may allow him out of his crate. Do not
release him from the crate while he is misbehaving. This will only serve to tell him that the more noise and fuss he creates, the more attention he will get.
This training will require a few days of this ritual, until the pup realizes that he must go in the crate and remain quiet if he wants to be allowed out. When placing him in the crate, use a
command word such as, "Crate" or "Kennel" to help instill in him the action you want. Choose a word, and stick with it. Changing the command word, or mixing it with other commands, will only confuse
the dog.
The majority of crating problems arise when dogs are placed in open wire crates for them to spend the night. The dog will become anxious, because he has to watch all sides of an open wire crate
for signs of danger. You will find that covering the crate with a sheet or some type of cover, so that only the door may be viewed, will eliminate the stress and help to get the dog inside.
When training a dog that is past the puppy stage, it can be a bit trying. If the dog is not used to a crate and struggles with you when placing him in his crate, try placing him in the crate
backwards. In other words, position him so that his rear goes into the crate first. By easing him backward into the crate, he is always looking at you and will feel more at ease. Your hands will be
all over him, he can see you, and he will feel safe.
Crate training will help minimize Separation Anxiety and avoid destructive behavior.
A dog that is allowed full run of the house, especially when no one is there, will eventually become bored and find something with which to entertain himself. After all, staying home alone can be
boring, and rearranging furniture, woodwork, carpet, and clothing can be a lot more fun than just lying on the floor waiting for someone to come home and play.
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