ASCA - AKC - OFA - CERF Australian Shepherds

Why Crate train your puppy?

A dog crate, correctly and humanely used, can have many advantages for both you and your pet.

With the help of a crate you can:

• know that when leaving your dog home he is comfortable, protected, and not developing any bad habits and that nothing can be soiled or destroyed:
• housebreak your dog quicker by using the close confinement to encourage control, establish a regular routine for outdoor elimination and prevent "accidents" at night or when left unsupervised:
• effectively confine your dog at times when he may be underfoot (meals, family activities), unwelcome (guests, workmen etc.), overexcited or bothered by too much confusion or too many children, or ill:
• travel with your dog without risk of the driver being dangerously distracted or the dog getting loose/lost, and with the assurance that he can easily adapt to any strange surroundings as long as he has familiar "security blanket" along.

Your dog can

• enjoy the privacy and security of a "den" of his own to which he can retreat when tired, stressed, or ill,
• avoid much of the fear/confusion/punishment cause by your reaction to problem behavior,
• more easily learn to control his bowels and to associate elimination only with the outdoors,
• be spared the loneliness and frustration of having to be isolated (basement, garage, outside) from comfortable indoor surroundings when being restricted or left alone,
• be conveniently included in family outings, visits and trips instead of being left behind alone at home or in a boarding kennel.

Use – but don't abuse

The use of a dog crate is NOT recommended for a dog which must be frequently or regularly left alone for extended periods of time, such as all or much of the day while the owner is at work. If attempted, the dog must be well exercised both before and after crating, given lots of personal positive attention and be allowed complete freedom at night (including sleeping near his owner). His crate must be large enough to permit him comfortably to stretch out fully on his side and to feel that he has freedom of movement and it must also be equipped with a clip on dish for water.
In the case of a puppy, the crate must be used strictly as a "playpen" for general confinement, having plenty of space for a cozy box for sleeping at one end and papers for elimination at the other, with clip on dishes for food and water. Although a puppy can be raised in this manner, the limited human supervision may result in his being poorly adjusted socially and difficult to housebreak and train in general.
Crate or no crate, any dog constantly denied the human companionship it needs and craves is going to be a lonely pet and still find ways to express anxiety, depression, and general stress.

What kind of crate is best?

The most practical dog crate for use by the pet owner is the collapsible wire mesh type, available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Lightweight and easily handled, it allows total ventilation and permits the dog to see everything going on around him. A metal, wooden, fiberglass/plastic airline crate will certainly serve the purpose, but it restricts air and vision, is less convenient to handle and transport.

What size should a crate be?

A crate should always be large enough to permit any age dog to stretch out flat on his side without being cramped and to sit up without hitting his head on the top. It is always better to use a crate a little to big than small.
For a fully grown adult dog, measure the distance form the tip of his nose to the base of his tail (not tip of tail) and use a crate close too, but not less than, this length. The height and width of most crates are properly proportioned to the length, including the convenient "slant-front" models designed to fit hatchbacks or station wagons.
For a puppy, measure as above, then add about 12" for anticipated rapid growth. If a small crate is unavailable for temporary use, reduce the space of an adult size one (width can serve for length) with a reversed carton or a moveable/removable partition made of wire or wood. Remember that a crate too large for a young puppy defeats its purpose of providing security and promoting bowel control, so its space should always be limited in the beginning except when being used as an over all pen. REMEMBER USE DON'T ABUSE when used as a pen.

Where should I put it?

Since one of the main reasons for using a crate is to confine with out making your dog feel isolated or banished, it should be placed in or as close as possible to a "people" area — kitchen, family room etc. To provide an even greater sense of den security and privacy, it should be put in a corner and/or have the sides and back loosely draped with a blanket, towel that can be adjusted to provide air and visibility. The top of the crate can be covered with a piece of plywood and can serve as a handy shelf.
Admittedly a dog crate is not a thing of beauty, but it can be forgiven for not being a welcome addition to the household decor as it proves how much it can help the dog to remain a welcome addition to the household!

Crating the puppy

A young puppy (8–10 weeks) should normally have no problem accepting a crate as his "own place." Any complaining he might do a first is not caused by the crate, but by his learning to accept the controls of his unfamiliar new environment. Actually, the crate will help him to adapt more easily and quickly to his new world.

How to use it:

Place the crate in a "people" area - the kitchen, if possible, in a spot free from drafts and not to near a direct heat source. For bedding, use an old towel or piece of blanket which can be washed. Avoid putting newspaper in the crate since its odor may encourage elimination.
Make it very clear to children that the crate is NOT a playhouse for them, but a special room for the puppy, whose rights should be recognized and respected. However, you should accustom the puppy from the start to letting you reach into the crate at any time. You do not want him to be come over protective of it.
Establish a crate routine immediately, closing the puppy in it at regular 1 to 2 hour intervals during the day (his own chosen nap times will guide you) and when ever he must be left alone for up to 3–4 hours. Give him a chew toy for distraction and be sure to remove collar and tags which could become caught. If you are not willing to get up at 5:00 AM, in the beginning, you may prefer to place the crate with the door open and newspapers near by in an small enclosed area such as a bathroom, laundry room or hall. Once adjusted to his new life any crying will stop and with age the ability to control elimination will increase.
Even if things do not go smoothly at first DON'T WEAKEN and DON'T WORRY; be consistent, be firm, and be very aware that you are doing your pet a real favor by preventing him from getting into trouble while left alone.
Increase the space inside the crate as the puppy grows so that he can remain comfortable. If you do not choose, or are not able, to use a crate permanently, plan to use it for at least 8 to 14 months or until the dog is well past the teething phase, then start leaving the crate door open at night, when someone is home during the day, or when he is briefly left alone. If all goes well for a week or two and the dog seems reliable when left alone, remove the crate itself and leave the bedding in the same spot; although he will probably miss the crate enclosure, that spot will have become "his own place" and his habit of good behavior should continue. Should any problem behavior occur at a future time, however, the decision whether to crate longer or permanently, will have been made for you.
Even after a long period without a crate, a dog which has been raised in one will readily accept it again should the need arise for travel, illness, behavior etc. and may really welcome its return.

Crating the adult dog

Much of the usual problem behavior of an older puppy (over 6 months old) or an adult dog is caused by the lack of a feeling of security when left alone. Although a crate can fulfill this need, and hence hopefully solve the problems, it must still be introduced gradually, with every possible effort made to be sure that the dog's first association with it is very positive and pleasant. It must also be stressed that a dog crate is not intended for frequent long hours of usage for the convenience of an absent owner.

How to use it

Start with the proper size crate for your dog (look at the "What size should a crate be" part of this article). Place it in a location where the dog will definitely feel part of the human family (though still have some privacy), secure the door open so it can't unexpectedly shut and frighten him, and do not put in any bedding. Encourage the dog to investigate this new object thoroughly, luring him inside by tossing special tidbits (pieces of cheese, hot dogs, liver etc. things that are more tempting than regular dog food or the everyday day dog cookies) into the far end, then letting him turn and come back out, praising him enthusiastically. When he begins to enter the crate confidently, place his bedding in the crate and start coaxing him to lie down and relax, still using food if necessary. Continue this pattern for several days, encouraging him to use the crate as much as possible shutting the door briefly while you sit beside him or there are people visible and/or nearby. Do not hesitate to meet modest resistance with consistent firmness and authority so that the dog is clearly aware of the behavior you desire; your goal may have to be acceptance not contentment.
As soon as you feel confident that the dog will remain quietly in the closed crate (which could be from the beginning!), you may safely leave him alone. Give him a chew toy or a safe bone to absorb his attention and be sure that he has nothing around his neck which might become caught. If you are still uncertain or anxious, leave him at first for only a brief period (1/2 to 1 hour) until he has proven that he will not resist the confinement. Once he has accepted the crate as his bed and own "special place", your pet can stop being a problem and start being a pleasure! In due time it may even be possible to wean him gradually off the crate without his resuming any problem behavior.

Does the crate always work?

Unfortunately, no. Although a crate can indeed be used successfully by most pet owners, there are always those animals which simply can or will not tolerate this form of confinement. This reaction is not nearly as common with a young puppy (but it does happen) as with an adult dog, especially an "adoptee" of unknown background, a dog which may somehow have suffered a traumatic frightening experience while crated, or an unadaptable "senior citizen". In some cases the dog will crate readily as long as the door remains open, but will object violently the moment it is closed and/or he is left alone. It should be stressed however, that these reactions definitely represent the exception rather than the rule, and that most average pet dogs can be successfully trained to use a crate.
If, despite every effort at positive conditioning and real firmness, a dog is obviously frantic or totally miserable when confined to a crate, forcing him to use one is indeed inhumane and can result in physical injury should he attempt to chew his way out.
Even though a crate may not always work, it IS always worth a try because it DOES prevent or solve problem behavior it is truly the "best friend" you and your dog could ever have.

~><> ><> Are you searching for quality website design?<>< <>< ~
Sea Net Web Design
Contact seanet@maine.rr.com for information.