Susan Jenkins, owner of Papp’s Dog Services in Akron, responds to questions about the importance of crate training a pet dog.
More and more people seem to be crate training their dogs. Here are some benefits of crate training:
• It facilitates housebreaking. Dogs are naturally clean animals, and unless they come from dirty conditions, they will not want to defecate of urinate where they have to lay. It plays upon their denning instinct and they want to keep their dens clean, thus they learn to hold their bowels and bladder. This is why a puppy needs just enough room to stand up, turn around and lay down.
• It is for the pet’s protection. Dogs, like babies, explore their environment with their mouths. Crating a puppy or dog when not attended removes the option to chew. Our homes are filled with dangerous things for dogs and too often they find something to chew that may injure them. Denying them the option to chew helps them learn to not be a chewer.
• It helps get the dog used to being crated outside the home. Going to a veterinarian for a procedure or a place to be groomed are high stress times for dogs. If the dog is left for any length of time at either place, they will be crated. If they are not used to being crated their stress level will be elevated.
• It helps keep your dog or puppy safe when traveling. Having a dog loose in the car is very dangerous. We tend to think bad things won’t happen to us, so often we do not make sure our dogs are safe when we travel. However, should you have to stop suddenly or are in an accident, the crate helps keep your dog safe. Emergency responders are going to be more concerned about you and not your dog which may bolt out of the vehicle.
The crate also becomes a place of peace and safety for the dog. Often, the dog learns if they need a “timeout” they will put themselves in a crate.
Should you choose to travel with your dog, your dog will have a place that is “home” to them wherever they are. It makes hotel stays much less stressful for your dog.
I make a game of it and give my dogs a cookie when they get into the crate after I playfully ask: “Where do you go to get your cookie?” And yes, even my adult dogs get a cookie most of the time and puppies all the time when they have to be crated. The crate becomes a wonderful place to be.
If necessary, feed your dog in the crate to help it get used to it. A good breeder will have your puppy crate trained by the time it is ready to go home. My dogs, even as adults, will get in the crate to sleep even when they do not have to.
Kathy Antoniotti writes about pets for the Akron Beacon Journal. She is unable to help locate, place or provide medical attention for an individual animal. If you have an idea or question about pets, write her at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; call 330-996-3565; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.