Great Reasons To Use A Crate For Your Dog.

8 Great Reasons to Use a Crate
Andrea Arden: Crates take advantage of the dog's natural tendency to keep its sleeping area clean.

1. Housetrain your dog. Efficient and humane training aids, crates take advantage of the dog's natural tendency to keep its sleeping area clean. However, you should crate your puppy for only as long as it can reasonably control its bladder and bowels.

2. Protect your dog. Crating a dog prevents it from chewing electrical cords or eating poisonous plants, toxic cleaning fluids, or nylon socks (which can tear up your dog's intestines.) These are only a few dangers awaiting new dogs left alone in a home.

3. Protect your property. A crate costs between $25 and $200, depending on its size and where you buy it. That's a bargain compared to the cost of replacing furniture and other belongings your new dog can destroy.

4. Curb and prevent separation anxiety. You love you dog, but you can't spend every minute of every day with it. The crate can help you teach your dog to enjoy spending time alone.

5. Introduce chew toys. A dog engrossed in chewing a toy will stay out of mischief. Give your dog time in its crate with two stuffed chew toys, and it'll become hooked on its crate and stay out of trouble.

6. Give a timeout. A new dog gives your great rewards, but it also can drain you. If your dog becomes excessively excited or starts nipping, use the crate for a brief timeout. Don't do this to punish your dog. (Never use a crate negatively.) Rather, the timeout allows your dog to regain its composure so it can interact appropriately with you.

7. Travel safely. Whether your dog travels by air or car, a crate is one of the best ways to ensure safety. Additionally, when you stay in a hotel, keep your dog in a crate to prevent damage.

8. Provide Security. Crates provide your dog with its own quiet place to hang out. This is especially important if you have a busy household and children. To encourage your dog to accept people petting it while inside the crate, praise it and give it tasty rewards on occasion. Also, let children know not to bother your dog while it is inside the crate. That's its quiet time.

Source: Dog-Friendly Dog Training by Andrea Arden (Howell Book House)

Dog Crates
Author: Alex Ebrandz

Man’s best friend, the dog, is a direct descendent of the wild wolf. In the past, wild wolves wandered to the periphery of human caves and ate morsels that humans spared. Over time, many of these wolves strayed from their pack and decided to stay on and protect their human friends in exchange for food and love. Although the Chihuahua pup you love may not look like he descended from the fierce wolf, he still has certain common wolf habits that he shares with all other breeds of dogs. One of these is the need for a den or a dedicated cave – a space that the dog can call its own.

The modern equivalent of a cave or den is the dog crate. Made of fiberglass or wires, the ideal dog crate is compact and portable. Generally, the crate is just big enough for the pup to lie down comfortably. No bigger and no smaller. In case your pup is going to grow up into a big breed of dog, you have to buy a crate that is large enough for the adult dog. You can then partition it to accommodate his growing size.

A dog crate is a multi-purpose developmental tool in the lives of dogs. Some of its uses include:

Protection: When your pup is young; it needs a place where it feels safe. Children in the house have to understand that pups need some rest time. Covering the dog crate with a blanket helps both the pup and the child to take a much needed rest. After a while, your pup will automatically move into his crate when it is time for his nap.

Housetraining: Crates help housetrain your pet. Just take your dog outside the crate after each meal. Give him some time to relieve himself. Do not play with him until he is done. If he does not do anything for 10 to 15 minutes, take him back in. Repeat the process after 10-15 minutes.

Safe area for puppies: The crate is the best place to keep your pup safe. There will be times when you need to step out of the house to go to the grocery store or take the kids to school. At such times, crating your pup will ensure that he does not chew your slippers, tear your mats or soil your carpet when you are not around.

Obedience training: In case your pup has done something that he should not, issuing him a stern warning and enclosing him in his crate will serve to teach him that he must restrain himself. Restraining an over-excited puppy by placing him in his crate will prevent him from running amok, terrorizing other pets or children. Putting a pup in its cage is somewhat similar to sending a child to their room. The pup knows it is being restrained until it starts behaving; this also gives you some time to cool down.

Before you buy a crate, assess your needs. Buy a crate of the right size. Wire crates are a better purchase than plastic ones. Your dog will be spending a lot of time in its crate. That is why it is necessary to buy a crate that is safe, comfortable and durable.