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A Messsage To The Pet Owner: Far too many potentially good pets are misunderstood, unfairly punished/abused, isolated, or simply gotten rid of by otherwise kind and well-meaning owners who are unable to prevent, control, or live with the common "problem" behavior of puppies and young adult dogs. The correct use of a dog crate could give many of these innocent animals the chance they need and deserve to spend their lives as the appreciated pet of a satisfied owner. Since every dog deserves this chance, read carefully and give it some serious thought.
A dog crate is a rectangular enclosure with a top and a door made in a variety of sizes proportionately fitted to any type of dog. Constructed of wire, wood, metal or molded fiberglass, its purpose is to provide guaranteed confinement for reasons of security, safety, housebreaking, protection of household goods, travel, illness, or just general control. The dog crate has long been accepted, trusted, and taken for granted by dog show exhibitors, obedience and field trial competitors, trainers, breeders, groomers, veterinarians, and anyone else who handles dogs regularly. Individual pet owners, however, usually reject the idea of using a crate because they consider such closed confinement unfair and even harmful to the dog. As the pet owner sees it: It's like a jail, it's cruel - I'd never put my dog in a cage like that! If this is your first reaction to using a crate, you are a very typical pet owner. As a reasoning human being, you really value your freedom, and since you consider your pet an extension of the human family, it's only natural to feel that closing him in a crate would be mean and inhumane, would probably cause him to resent and even hate you, and might well result in psychological damage. BUT YOU ARE NOT A DOG! As the dog sees it: I love having a house of my very own, it's my private special place, my security blanket, and the closed door really doesn't bother me. If your dog could talk, this is how he might well express his reaction to using a crate. He would tell you that the crate helps satisfy his "den instinct" inherited from his den-dwelling ancestors, and that he is not afraid or frustrated when closed in. He would further admit that he is actually much happier, and more secure having his life controlled and structured by human beings, and would far rather be prevented from causing trouble that be punished for it later. So to you it may be a cage but to your dog it's a home. A dog crate used humanely and correctly can have many advantages for both you and your pet. With the help of a crate you can enjoy complete peace of mind when leaving your dog home alone, knowing that nothing can be soiled or destroyed and that he is comfortable, protected and not developing any bad habits. You can housebreak your dog more quickly by using the close confinement to encourage control, establish a regular routine for outdoor elimination, and to prevent accidents at night or when left alone. You can effectively confine your dog at times when he may be underfoot, unwelcome, over- excited, or bothered by too much confusion, too many children, or ill. You can travel with your dog without risk of the driver being dangerously distracted or the dog getting loose and hopelessly lost, and with the assurance that he can easily adapt to any strange surroundings as long as he has his 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. Your dog can avoid much of the fear/confusion/punishment caused by your reaction to problem behavior. Your dog can more easily learn to control his bowels and to associate elimination only with the outdoors or other designated location. Your dog can be spared the loneliness and frustration of having to be isolated from comfortable indoor surroundings when being restricted or left alone. And your dog can be conveniently included in family outings, visits, and trips instead of being left behind alone at home or in a boarding kennel. The use of a dog crate is not recommended for a dog which must be frequently or regularly left alone such as all or much of the day while the owner is away at work. If it is attempted, the dog must be well exercised both before and after crating, given lots of personal positive attention, and be allowed complete freedom when the owner is around. His crate must be large enough to permit him comfortably to stretch out fully on his side and to feel he has freedom of movement. 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. This set up can be used until the puppy acquires bladder and bowel control. 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 to 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 may still find ways to express anxiety, depression and general stress. The most practical dog crate for use by the pet owner is the collapsible wire mesh type, available in a wide variety of sizes. Lightweight and easily handled, it allows total ventilation and permits the dog to see everything going on around him. A wooden, metal, or fiberglass airline crate will certainly also serve the purpose, but it is less convenient to handle and transport, and has a limited size selection. 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. While the adult size of a purebred puppy is fairly easy to predict, that of a mixed breed must be estimated based on general breed/body type and puppy size at a given age. It is always better to use a crate a little too large that one a little too small. For a fully grown adult dog, measure the distance from the tip of the nose to the base (not tip) of the tail and use a crate close to, but not less than, this length. The height and width of most crates are properly proportionate to the length, including the convenient slant-front models designed to fit station wagons and hatch backs. For a puppy, measure as above, then add about 12" for rapid growth. If a small crate is unavailable for temporary use, reduce the space of an adult size one with a reversed carton or a movable/removable partition made of wire wood or masonite. 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 a play-pen). New crates can be purchased in retail pet shops and discount pet/food supply outlets, through large catalog sales firms (such as Sears), at the larger dog shows, from dog equipment catalogs, or from a crate manufacturer. Prices depend on size, quality, and make. Most brands include removable metal pan/tray/floor and some can be specially ordered with the door on the side instead of the end. The less expensive brands are quite adequate for most family pets, although those made of non-plated/treated wire may discolor the coat of a light colored dog. A used crate can often be borrowed or found at a rummage sale at a bargain price. Even the most expensive dog crate is a "bargain" when compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a sofa, chair, woodwork, wallpaper, or carpeting! Since one of the main reasons for using the crate is to confine a dog without making him feel isolated or banished, it should be placed in or as close as possible to a "people" area such as the kitchen, family room, etc. To provide an even greater sense of den security and privacy, it should be put in a corner or have the sides and back loosely draped with a sheet or light blanket. The top of the crate when covered with a piece of plywood or masonite can also serve as a handy extra shelf or table. Admittedly, a dog crate is not a thing of beauty but it can be forgiven when it proves how much it can help the dog to remain a welcome addition to the household. A young puppy (8-16 weeks) should normally have no problems accepting the crate as his own place. Any complaining he might do at first is caused not 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. Place the crate in a people area, in a spot free from drafts and not too near a direct heat source. For bedding use an old towel or piece of blanket which can be washed and some freshly worn unlaundered article of your clothing. Avoid putting newspaper in or under the crate since its odor may encourage elimination. Corrugated cardboard is better if there is no floor pan. A puppy need not be fed in the crate and will only upset a dish of water (as long as he is let out frequently to drink as needed). Make it very clear to children that the crate is not a playhouse for them but a very 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, lest he should become overprotective of it. Establish a crate routine immediately, closing the puppy in at regular 1-2 hour intervals during the day. (His own chosen nap times may guide you), and whenever 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 in an opening. At night, in the beginning, you may prefer to place the crate with the door left open and newspapers nearby in a small enclosed area such as the bathroom, laundry room or hall. Crying at 5:00am is easier to endure/ignore if you know that the puppy is not uncomfortable. Once adjusted to his new life, and if there is no intestinal upset, he will soon show greater bowel control by eliminating only once, or not at all, and then may be crated all night in his regular place. Even if things do not go too 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 it's alone. Increase the space inside the crate as the puppy grows so that he remains comfortable. If you do not choose or are unable to use a crate permanently, plan to use it for at least 5-6 months or until the dog is well past the chewing stage. Then start the crate door open at night, when someone is home during the day, or when he is briefly left alone. If all goes well after 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 will continue. Should any problem behavior occur at a future time, the decision whether or not to use the crate longer or perhaps even 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. Much of the usual problem behavior of an older puppy (over 6 months) 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 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 be very positive and pleasant. It must also be stressed again that a dog crate is not intended for frequent long hours of usage for the convenience of an absent owner. If possible borrow or rent a crate of adequate size. Place it in a location where the dog will definitely feel part of the human family and still have some privacy. Secure the door open so that 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 treats into the far end, and then letting him turn and come back out praising him enthusiastically. When he begins to enter the crate confidently, place his bedding and something of yours inside 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 and shutting the door briefly while you sit beside him or there are people visible. Do not hesitate to meet moderate 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, you may safely leave him alone. Give him a chew toy or safe bone to absorb his attention and be sure that he has nothing around his neck which may become caught. If you are still unsure or anxious leave him at first for only a brief period (1/2 - 1 hour) until he has proven that he will not resist the confinement. Once he has accepted the crate as his own special place, your pet can stop being a problem and start being a pleasure. In due time it may be possible to wean him gradually off the crate without him resuming any problem behavior. Unfortunately, no. Although a crate can indeed be used successfully by most pet owners, there are always those animals which simply can not or will not tolerate this form of confinement. This reaction is not nearly as common with a young puppy as with an adult dog, especially an "adoptee" of unknown background. Some purebred dog breeds seem to have a special aversion to crates or show no desire to keep one clean. In some cases a dog will use a 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 here however, that these reactions definitely represent the exception rather that 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 real 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 when it does work, it does prevent or solve problem behavior. It is truly the best friend you and your dog could ever have. This newsletter is intended to offer general information
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