| It is a debate that has been going on for decades: to | | | | presenting their arguments for and against it. If a few |
| crate or not to crate your dog? That is the question. | | | | general rules of thumb are followed, there is most likely |
| 'Crating' simply means putting your dog in a cage | | | | no harm, and most probably some good can come |
| usually while you are away form your home or to | | | | had from the use of crate training. It is widely accepted |
| calm your pooch. These cages are usually made form | | | | that keeping a dog in a crate for excessive periods of |
| plastic or metal cage for a certain period of time during | | | | time can have negative effects for the dog. Dogs |
| the day or night. | | | | need plenty of exercise and being locked up in a small |
| Those in favor of crate training argue that a crate | | | | space is preventing them from any exercise while it |
| provides a dog with a safe haven, at place to call its | | | | may force them to "hold it" for much longer than is |
| own. The dog feels safe in his little home within the | | | | reasonable. Ideally, a dog should not be crated for |
| home as familiar smells and objects surround him. The | | | | more than two hours maximum. |
| dog can retreat to his crate from fearful noises or | | | | On the down side some dogs have been known to |
| boisterous children. | | | | injure themselves, sometimes quite badly, due to |
| Another advantage of crate training is that it can make | | | | anxiety or frustration from being crated. Keep an eye |
| potty training that much easier. Dogs will usually avoid | | | | for sharp edges on the crate and it is a good idea to |
| soiling their 'den' and will wait until they are able to go | | | | remove the dog's collar to avoid it becoming a choking |
| outside to relieve themselves. | | | | hazard if it were to get caught on something. |
| For those against the use of crates, their main | | | | One of the advantages of crate training is that it |
| argument is that locking a dog in a crate goes against | | | | makes it easier for dog owners to take their pet on |
| a dog's nature. As pack animal a dog will naturally | | | | car, train or even plane trips. Pets who are used to a |
| want to wonder or travel through their territory. Some | | | | crate will feel comfortable in the familiar-smelling |
| people are also have an issue with the size of the | | | | environment in what would normally be a time of |
| crate which is usually just large enough for the dog to | | | | stress. |
| turn around in. Having a dog in a confined space | | | | Critics of crating suggest that other than short trips to |
| removes the dog's ability to explore its environment | | | | the store or friend's house, dogs tend to do better |
| and soak up stimulating sights and smells. | | | | when in familiar territory. So it might be better to leave |
| Another disadvantage, according to the opponents of | | | | pets at home. However, if you do decide to take them |
| crate training, is that some puppies may still relieve | | | | on that trip, make sure that the crate is well |
| themselves in the crate and if left unattended this can | | | | constructed to avoid any accidents. |
| be an unhealthy environment for them. They argue | | | | This debate probably will not be decide anytime soon. |
| that crating an animal is not done for the benefit of the | | | | Try to determine how your dog feels about the crate. |
| dog but for the convenience of the dog owner. | | | | You may want to try leave the crate door open to if |
| There are always two sides to every story and the | | | | they want to go in on their own. It may be better to let |
| debate on crate training in no different with each side | | | | your dog decide for itself. |