Pet Safety Blog

Pet crates have several purposes in using them to contain your dog, whether you are a working pet parent, have a new puppy that will need potty training, or use the pet crate as a confinement tool to make sure your dog stays where you want them to stay.  Punishment should never be used to coincide in using a pet crate.  Pet crates can be used to contain your dog  from special events where they may become a nuisance around crowds of people, or just when you have guests for dinner.  Whatever works well for you and your pet is important, and it will allow your dog to come and go whenever they please.  Pet crates can be a comfort zone and a place to relax and take a snooze.  Various sizes of pet crates are available for different size dogs, with enough room for them to move around comfortably.

I recently read an article about a man having an older dog that was accustomed to their pet crate during leave of absence of their pet parent. The dog always went into his crate while the man was at work.  The man would go home during his lunch hour to make sure the dog was okay and had enough food and water, and perhaps had to go outside.  Well, one day the man decided that he would just leave his dog loose in the house while he was at work, because he was an older dog that could be trusted not to get into trouble, and did have medical problems.   Big mistake!   The pet parent came home later than usual and his dog did not meet him at the door as he always did.  Searching around the house, he found his dog in the bathroom with the door closed in a small area.  The dog most likely tried to find food and water because of the length of time his pet parent was gone, turned around and accidently pushed the door closed and could not get out.  Panic, scared, and not being in good health was just too much for the old dog, and passed away in front of his master.  What a horrible thing to have happen to his best friend who had lived to be a senior with just one mistake of his belief his dog would be okay.  That is why a pet crate is one of the most trust worthy reasons in having piece of mine.  Be Happy!

All of our dogs have the natural instinct of creating a dog den of their own.  So how do you make a dog’s den that will become their place of safety?  Their mothers taught them not to soil their den; therefore, pet crates are wonderful in training your new puppy.  There are different styles made of fabric, some are metal and resembles a dog kennel.  Personally the fabric crate appears a little more cozier than the other, but covering the metal crate would appear more peaceful.  The first time you introduce your puppy to their new crate, give them a treat.  It is doggies nature to associate treats for different situations.  However, never put your pet in the crate as punishment because they have not pleased you.   If you try this tactic, you will never succeed in training your dog to go into their personal den for whatever reason.  They should learn to associate their new den on the positive side, then sleeping and relaxing will become natural to them.  Dogs of all breeds should be trained with the thought in mind, that this is a necessary method to house break your new pet.  The first few nights may be a challenge because your dog will be scared and feel abandoned, but let them fuss and cry if they must, in order to teach them that their crate is their personal haven.  Try not to give in to their unhappiness, they will overcome their fear. 

It is amazing how intelligent these wonderful animals are, and they will adjust to your leading them, and teaching them how to be obedient.  This will be rewarding for you, and for them to accept responsibility to their pet parents’ commands.  Dog crates are handy for them to feel safe and out of danger when holidays come along with visitors, and loud noises that are out of the ordinary.  They will feel comfortable in their own surroundings during times of turmoil.  Be Happy!