The Importance and Necessity of Crate Training.

 

I can hear it already, "it's like putting my sweet puppy in prison" "she will hate me forever" "I just can't do it!" Did you know no matter how big or small your dog is they are pack animals. Did you ever go to a dog park and think your dog was having "fun" with the other dogs? No, they are exercising pack mentality, looking for weaknesses in the other dogs and trying to be the dominant leader. Most dog aggression is introduced by turning your loved one loose in a dog park setting. If you think about it and watch the behaviour, its chasing, pinning down, barking and dog fights. They are for the most part, not playing. Your pack animal is only showing pack survival, not cute puppy stuff. I thought you'd enjoy this dog park video.They're are many reasons to crate your dog or puppy, especially, when you're not home. I just read a sad story this morning about the plant in this video. The Heliotrope plant is beautiful and smells wonderful. The dog owner had these around and her dog Goldie would nibble on the leaves. It turns out that this plant is highly toxic. Goldie got ill and the pet parent took her to the vet and she died of massive liver damage, the worst case her vet had ever seen. The Vet didn't know the plant was toxic. More reasons to crate train, it helps in housebreaking. Make sure the crate fits the dog, remember, a dog is always a pack animal. Out in the wild if they pooped in the den, the pack leader would clean their clock. If the crate is to big, they might add a bathroom in the extra space. Yes, some will carry on and scream and whine, but that will eventually stop. They are not going to die, but it sounds like it. If you can't take the noise, just put the dog in the garage and go shopping. Crating also helps fix aggressive behavior. An example of this, new dog in the house beating up the dog with seniority in the house. Time to change who is the pack leader in this "Den" your house. This behaviour is unacceptable, steps to fixing it, the crate. From now on the problem dog will only go from the crate outside to poop, no praise, no treats. The only person they will see is you. Anything good, comes from you, food comes from you, outside comes from you. This exercise let's them know who the real "pack leader" is, you. This may take up to a few weeks depending on the level of the bad behavior. A pack leader in the wild is fair and firm and keeps the pack fed, safe and comfortable. Just like you. With this attitude change, consistency is key. Let the rest of the family know that this

dog is in training, no communication is allowed except from you or whoever you designate to be the new pack leader. One last note, if your dog is sleeping in your bed, this puts them on the same level in the pack as you. The problems ahead will be many, biting, barking and licking, just to name a few. These are all signs of dominance, you really don't want to go there. This is a very good how to crate video. If you have the less expensive crates just tie the door open. See you soon~