| You are bringing home a new family member - this | | | | this and helps your puppy learn to control his bladder |
| one with four legs, not two - and he will need a place | | | | between trips outside. He will have accidents, of |
| to sleep. | | | | course, but by using a dog crate as a bed and |
| Everyone needs a space to call their own. Managed | | | | combining it with a regular toileting, feeding and play |
| properly your dog's crate will become his room, a cosy | | | | schedule, toilet training will be quicker and less stressful |
| place he goes for privacy. Think of it like a toddler's | | | | - for everyone involved! |
| cot or playpen. | | | | Just remember never to use the crate as a form of |
| What must I know about puppies and dog crates? | | | | punishment. If you shout at your dog or smack him and |
| Growing puppies alternate between periods of activity | | | | then put him into his crate he will see his crate as a |
| and sleeping. As long as you have a regular schedule | | | | place to be feared: those associations are the last |
| of toileting, feeding and exercise, your puppy will be | | | | thing you want to create. |
| happy to use his dog crate for a bed. | | | | How big should my dog's crate be? |
| Just don't expect your puppy to stay in his crate | | | | You don't want your puppy to toddle off into a corner |
| unless he is sleeping: remember he needs lots of love | | | | of his crate to go to the toilet, so get a crate with a |
| and attention. If you intend to keep him in his crate for | | | | divider. This can be moved as he grows, and |
| long periods perhaps you need to re-consider whether | | | | discarded once he is grown and/or completely |
| you are able to commit to a dog right now. | | | | housetrained. |
| How will older dogs and dog crates work? | | | | If you are getting a dog crate as a bed for a dog that |
| If you have an older dog you think you may like to | | | | is already fully grown, make sure the crate is big |
| crate - perhaps you are giving a new home to an | | | | enough for him to stretch out, stand up and turn |
| older animal from a refuge shelter - you can still happily | | | | around comfortably. |
| use a dog crate as a bed. | | | | What type of dog crate should I buy? |
| Let him investigate the crate. Just as with a puppy, put | | | | A wire crate is a good option if you're buying a dog |
| in soft bedding and a treat, and let him get used to | | | | crate for a bed. It is a good idea to get a crate |
| things while the door remains open. Once he is | | | | bumper for comfort and safety. Many dogs also |
| accustomed to his crate you will most likely find he will | | | | prefer a covering over the back and perhaps the |
| take himself off there to sleep or to get away from | | | | sides of the crate to give them a greater sense of |
| noisy children or visitors. | | | | privacy. This doesn't have to be expensive: we have a |
| What should I put in my dog's crate? | | | | blanket draped over our dog's crate. |
| Put washable bedding - perhaps a favorite blanket - in | | | | Using a dog crate for a bed doesn't mean that you |
| the crate to make it comfortable. Put the favorite toy | | | | can't be stylish as well. There are many crates that |
| of the moment in as well and perhaps a rawhide bone | | | | are both comfortable for your dog and will fit with any |
| to chew on. | | | | décor. Check out the wicker-look versions, or the |
| I have found my dog will happily chew her rawhide | | | | very upmarket Bauhaus, and you will never think of |
| bone as she is dropping off to sleep in her crate and | | | | crate and cage in the same sentence again! |
| again when she wakes. Especially first thing in the | | | | If you want a dog crate for traveling by airplane you |
| mornings this can give me a much appreciated extra | | | | will need one which is approved by the airlines. These |
| fifteen minutes of sleep! | | | | will generally be molded plastic, and are lightweight and |
| It is a good idea to give your dog some treats when | | | | portable. Look for a crate which has a carry handle |
| you put him in his crate, to reinforce positive feelings: a | | | | and which you can collapse for storage when you get |
| little snack before he settles down to sleep would go | | | | back home. Always check with the airline you intend to |
| down well. | | | | travel with, as their regulations may vary. |
| If your dog wears a collar make sure you remove it | | | | Dog crates for beds: "my" place |
| before he goes into the crate. Dogs have choked to | | | | Some of us initially balk at the idea of putting a puppy |
| death when their collar or Id tags have caught on the | | | | or even a grown dog we love very much into what |
| crate's bars. A good idea is also a crate bumper, | | | | can be perceived as a cage. However, used properly |
| which is very similar to a cot bumper. | | | | your dog's crate will come to be seen by him as a |
| How can using dog crates for beds help toilet training? | | | | place of comfort and privacy: a place of his own to go |
| Puppies have an instinctive desire to keep their | | | | to when he wants to sleep, or just wants time-out. |
| sleeping area clean. Using a crate takes advantage of | | | | |