Morristown, TN
Crate training’s philosophy uses the natural instinct of a dog. A wild dog’s instinct is to hide, sleep, and rest in a den. Crates provide a similar feel of protection and safety for a dog. If you can successfully train your dog to feel secure inside of their crate, it soon will become their preferred place to rest or to take refuge during scary situations such as a thunderstorm or other loud noises outside (fireworks, crowds, etc.).
AllDogs Canine Care Center, a dog spa and boarding facility in Jefferson City, would like to provide you with a guide on crate training your dog. It isn’t a magic solution to all of your problems, and sometimes getting your dog to love his or her crate isn’t as easy as getting them to enter the crate willingly each time you need them to. Let’s take a look at why a dog owner might want to crate their dog in the first place.
Why might I want to crate train my dog?
Dog owners often choose to crate as means of house training a dog. Dogs do not prefer to use the bathroom in their den, and therefore are likely not to soil their crate either. Crates also allow you to limit your dog’s access to the remainder of your home, especially while you are sleeping or are away during the day. Should you need to transport your dog, a crate can be a safe way to do so.
Use the crate with caution
While crates can be helpful in certain situations, you want to avoid using the crate as punishment. Sending your dog to his or her crate as punishment will make the dog become fearful of using it. This could end up backfiring when you really need your dog to be crated for a good reason such as while you are out of the house for a while.
Avoid leaving your dog crated for too long. Crating your dog all day while you’re at work, and then again all night restricts your dog’s human interaction and access to exercise. Prolonged hours in a crate could cause your dog to build up anxiety and tension. If you aren’t able to let your dog out, consider hiring a pet sitter or sending your pup to a doggie daycare in Jefferson City such as with our caring staff at AllDogs Canine Care Center.
Puppies shouldn’t be crated for more than three to four hours at a time. They simply cannot hold their bowls and bladders much longer.
Ideally, you should only need to crate your dog until he or she can be trusted to roam freely about the house. After that, use the crate as a voluntary option.
What type of crate is best?
You know your dog better than anyone, and certain dogs may be more prone to gnawing or chewing, so be cognizant of the type of crate you choose. For instance, if your dog has a chewing habit, a plastic crate may not be the best option. There are a variety of crates available at local pet stores and for purchase at online retailers. Choose the type that works best for you and your dog. As far as size, choose one that will accommodate your dog once full grown, allowing him or her only enough room to stand up and turn around. If your dog is a puppy, you could section off part of the crate so that the crate isn’t too big for them to feel safe.
Crate training can be helpful for some dog owners, but may not be an option for others. We urge pet owners to use the crate appropriately to help your dog make the connection that their crate is a safe, relaxing place, not something that is scary or that makes them feel anxious.
Dog Sitting in Jefferson City
If you want to learn more about our services, we invite you to give us a call at (865) 475-2225 or visit our facility at 939 East Old Andrew Johnson Highway in Jefferson City, Tennessee and see for yourself the kind of care we provide for our clients.
AllDogs Canine Care Center serves the communities of Jefferson City and Morristown in Tennessee.