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