Crate training
Susan Baird
methods of crate training. I see animals kept in crates in a manner I can
only describe as cruel. What are the proper techniques and rules to observe
when crate training a dog.
I am not a dog owner but love all animals. I would like to learn more about
this practice.
Your input is most appreciated.
Thank you.
Susan Baird
--
"The smallest feline is a miracle". - Leonardo Da Vinci
The Carrolls
Susan Baird <susan...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:Svsa6.113714$n%.3784450@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Would someone please be so kind as to explain the principles behind and
> methods of crate training. I see animals kept in crates in a manner I can
> only describe as cruel. What are the proper techniques and rules to
observe
> when crate training a dog.
When you can't supervise your dog, it goes in the crate so that it will
sleep. To do it properly (without abusing the crate) any time it is the
least bit possible for you to supervise the dog, the dog should not be in
the crate. So the dog's usually only in the crate while the owner is asleep
or not home.
Cruel? Used properly, no. The dog is protected from harming itself by
destroying things like electrical wires, cloth & rugs (which can cause
intestinal blockages), or from ending up at the pound because the owner
can't find another good way to housebreak it. It also allows the dog much
more safety when, for example, it must be shipped via airplane or train
(when the owners move to hawaii...oh, wait, that's just my vision of life,
sorry!), or if the dog competes in such enjoyable sports like agility,
flyball, or obedience (or the slightly more boring sport of conformation
showing). And, of course, it's like having it's own bedroom.
~Emily
grp...@pop.ntlworld.com
Crates are ok for short term use - I have never used one for any of my
dogs, I have never felt the need although mine are left for up to 6
hours a day sometimes. Crates basically provide a safe haven for your
dog. The idea is, when training a new puppy, puppy will learn to go in
his crate for sleep and to get away from it all (his own space) The
expectation is that a puppy will not soil his own space, therefore crate
training can aid toilet training, providing the puppy isnt left in the
crate for long periods of time. While shutting a puppy in a crate stops
it chewing things it shouldn't it should not been seen as a long term
solution. My dogs all have their "own space" which consists of beds in
corners an cubbyholes throughout the house, sometimes they all want to
curl up together, sometimes they just want to be alone, alot like
humans! Leaving the crate door open for puppy to come and go as he
pleases is ideal, but a crate should never be used as a punishment.
Hope this helps
Rosie B
a m m y @igc.org Sammy L
I had the same problems with the thought of crate training my dog at first,
so I can definitely relate.
I just recently adopted an 8 month old Corgi/Border Collie mix.
I also have 2 young children, a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We had the
dog sleep with us in our room at night, he chose to squeeze his big butt
under a chair that we kept in our room. Whenever one of the girls came into
the room in the middle of the night, our dog would emerge from under his
chair and growl at the girls, because he was startled. He would
immediately recognize them and start wagging his tail, but the fact that he
growled at them, and continues to do so upon their arrival, was reason
enough to decide that we either had to crate train, or tie him up, just to
prevent the possibility of a dog bite.
I was originally just going to tie him up at night, so he would have the
freedom to roam around at least a little while we slept. However, I
realized that even when he is not tied up, he doesn't roam around. He crams
himself into that little space under the chair.
This made me realize that dogs are truly den-seeking animals. They like
the security of being in a small closed-in environment. I decided to
experiment by buying a nice big crate, one that gave him plenty of room to
get up, turn around, etc. He goes in and lays on his nice comfy blanket
with his favorite chew toy and is completely content - no whining or barking
or anything.
I agree that there is definitely room for abuse with the use of crates.
However, in the hands of a responsible dog owner, who truly cares about
their pet, I feel that crate training is very logical, as well as
convenient and comfortable.
Hopefully this alleviates some concerns.
PS. I am a brand new dog owner, so if my logic is flawed, forgive me. = )
"Susan Baird" <susan...@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:Svsa6.113714$n%.3784450@news20.bellglobal.com...
lab~rat
wrote:
>Hi Susan,
>I had the same problems with the thought of crate training my dog at first,
>so I can definitely relate.
>
>I just recently adopted an 8 month old Corgi/Border Collie mix.
>
>I also have 2 young children, a 4 year old and a 2 year old. We had the
>dog sleep with us in our room at night, he chose to squeeze his big butt
>under a chair that we kept in our room. Whenever one of the girls came into
>the room in the middle of the night,
<snip>
I can see crate training is ineffective on your children (just a
joke).
I have crate trained my collie and it works great. When we leave for
a few hours, we give her the choice of inside the crate or outside in
our (secure) yard, and she chooses 50/50.
At night, we tell her it's time to go to bed, and she hops right in.
The secret, as mentioned earlier, is not to send the dog to the cage
as a punishment.
She actually goes in to 'hide' from my 2 y.o.
--
lab~rat >:-)
Do you want polite or do you want sincere?
Bogmyrtle
house ? He is very nervous ,scared of strangers ,scared of the dark, hates
going out ,bites anyone new and refuses to be stroked or petted by strangers
. Even people he knows . He was rescues from a cupboard at 16 weeks and must
have a very long memory because since he came to live with me his life has
been safe and fun ..... How do I cure the horrible habit ?
--
Behind every successful man stands an astonished woman
The Carrolls <car...@dundee.net> wrote in message
news:I4va6.296$CQ4....@monger.newsread.com...
lab~rat
<Mar...@Bogmyrtle.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
>Can someone please tell me why my 6 year old border collie boy pees in the
>house ? He is very nervous ,scared of strangers ,scared of the dark, hates
>going out ,bites anyone new and refuses to be stroked or petted by strangers
>. Even people he knows . He was rescues from a cupboard at 16 weeks and must
>have a very long memory because since he came to live with me his life has
>been safe and fun ..... How do I cure the horrible habit ?
Sounds like the previous owners hit him with their hands if he refuses
to allow people to touch him.
Natalie Hulbert
Bogmyrtle wrote:
Can someone please tell me why my 6 year old border collie boy pees in
the house ? He is very nervous ,scared of strangers ,scared of the dark,
hates going out ,bites anyone new and refuses to be stroked or petted by
strangers. Even people he knows . He was rescues from a cupboard at 16
weeks and must have a very long memory because since he came to live
with me his life has been safe and fun ..... How do I cure the horrible
habit ?
How long have you had him? What is his history? As for peeing in the
house. Well if he has all of these other issues, it would appear to be a
fear issue. Although it could be an age thing. It's hard to offer advice
when the history isn't known. If you can offer some details of the dog,
we might be able to help.
Natalie
d.guipago-gleave
and the situation. I have known people who have had dogs all their lives and
still dont understand the simple logic of looking through the dogs eyes.
Best wishes to your family and a lucky dog. Patch.
"Sammy L" <s a m m y @ i g c .o r g> wrote in message
news:g05b6.7040$CP4.1...@typhoon2.ba-dsg.net...