The Benefits Of Dog Crates

Dog crates are sometimes misunderstood by the casual observer or by dog owners who haven't used them. Dog crates are not "cages" and do not serve the same function. Instead, dog crates are psychologically similar to a dog den. Wolves and dogs in the wild dig dens and use them as a safe place for sleeping, whelping and raising pups. Dens provide dogs with a sense of security. They are quiet and comforting. In many ways the crate is a den-substitute for a dog.

When your dog is stressed out, when your home is noisy and chaotic, your dog may seek the quiet of his crate. Many dogs prefer to sleep in their own space, in a place which is all theirs. The crate belongs to your dog alone. It's a place that he doesn't have to share with you or other people, unless you have other dogs. In that case you may want to get an extra large crate that could allow two dogs to slip inside at the same time. Dogs often enjoy curling up together and snuggling in a crate.

When it comes to training, if your puppy takes naps in his crate he will see it as a place that he won't soil. You can use the crate to help teach your puppy the basics of housebreaking. You can let your puppy stay in the crate one hour for each month of age, plus one. So, if your puppy is two months old he can stay in his crate for about three hours before he must be taken out for a bathroom break. Remember that puppies can't go all day without a bathroom break. They aren't physically capable of waiting that long. So, if you work and you have to leave your puppy home, you should check on your puppy during the day or arrange for a friend or neighbor to come over and let your puppy out.

You should choose a dog crate that is large enough for your dog to stand in and turn around. It's all right if his head touches the top of the crate. What's most important is that your dog needs room to lie down. Some people are under the impression that crates should be as large as possible but this defeats the purpose of the crate as a snug den. Like doghouses, crates should be just large enough for your dog to be comfortable inside. If they are too large then your dog might as well sleep in your closet or on your floor. There is no sense of security in a crate that's too big.

The crate you choose should also not be extra large if you intend to use it for travel purposes. Riding in a crate is the safest way for your dog to ride in your vehicle. If the crate is the proper size then your dog will be safer if you should have an accident. If the crate is too large then your dog will be tossed around inside the crate and could be seriously injured. The same is true when choosing a crate for airline travel. If the crate is too large it could encourage your dog to stand and he could be thrown around the crate and be hurt. There are usually manufacturer's guidelines on the side of the crates or their boxes to help you select the correct gate for your breed or size of dog. These guidelines are usually very helpful.

If you plan to fly with your dog or to ship him anywhere then you must choose a hard plastic crate, such as a Vari-Kennel. These crates are required by the airlines. They are also good crates to use in your personal vehicle since they have hard sides and generally stand up well in case of accident. If, however, you are simply choosing a crate for use in your home, you may choose a wire crate. These crates have the advantage of being collapsible and lightweight. They are easy to fold and move around. Some people like the lightweight mesh crates for their dogs but these shouldn't be used with any dog that might have a tendency to scratch at the mesh since he or she could easily tear through it and get out.

Most dogs like their crates after they have been crate trained. If done gradually crate training is usually not very hard. Once your dog is used to a crate in your home you will probably find him often choosing to sleep in it. Crates can be great for both you and your dog, providing your dog with his own quiet place, helping him with housetraining, and even giving him a safer way to travel.