INDOOR KENNELS
What is an Indoor Kennel or Dog Crate? A dog crate is a rectangular enclosure with a top and a door, made in a variety of sizes proportioned to fit any type of dog. Constructed of wire, its purpose is to provide guaranteed confinement for reasons of security, safety, house training, protection of household goods, travel, illness, or just general control. The dog crate has long been accepted, trusted and taken for granted by dog show exhibitors, obedience and field trial competitors, trainers, breeders, groomers, veterinarians, and anyone else who handles dogs regularly. Individual pet owners, however, usually, reject the idea of using a crate because they consider such enforced confinement unfair, even harmful, to the dog. As the pet owner sees it "Its like a jail - its cruel - I'd never put my dog in a cage like that!". If this is your first reaction to using a crate, you are a very typical pet owner.
As a reasoning human being, you really value your freedom; and since you consider your pet an extension of the human family, its only natural to feel that closing him in a crate would be mean and inhumane, would probably cause him to resent you and even hate you, and might well result in psychological damage. But you are not a dog! As the dog sees it "I love having a room/house of my very own; its my private special place, my 'security blanket and the closed door really doesn't bother me" If your dog could talk, this is how he might well express his reaction to using a crate! He would tell you that the crate helps to satisfy the "den instinct" inherited from his den-dwelling ancestors and relatives. And that he is not afraid or frustrated when closed in. He would further admit that he is actually much happier and more secure having his life controlled and structured by human beings - and would far rather be prevented from causing trouble than being punished for it later. So to you it may be a "cage"- to him, its "home.
Why Use a crate ? A dog crate, correctly and
humanely used, can have many advantages for both you
and your pet .With the help of a crate you can enjoy
complete peace of mind when leaving you dog home
alone, knowing that nothing can be soiled or destroyed
and that he is comfortable, protected, and not developing
any bad habits. You can house train your dog more
quickly by using the close confinement to encourage
control, establish a regular routine for outdoor elimination,
and to prevent "accidents" at night or when left alone.
You can effectively confine your dog at times when he may be underfoot (meals, family activities), unwelcome (guests workmen etc.), over-excited or bothered by too much confusion or too many children, or ill. You can travel with your dog without risk of the driver being dangerously distracted or the dog getting loose and hopelessly lost, and with the assurance that he can easily adapt to any strange surroundings as long as he has his familiar "security blanket" along.
Your Dog can enjoy the privacy and security of a "den" of his own to which he can retreat when tired, stressed, or ill They can avoid much of the fear/confusion/punishment caused by your reaction to problem Behavior. They can more easily learn to control his bowels and to associate elimination only with the outdoors or other designated location. They can be spared the loneliness and frustration of having to be isolated (basement, garage, outside ) from comfortable indoor surroundings when being restricted or left alone. They can be conveniently included in family outing, visits, and trips instead of being left alone at home or in a boarding kennel:
You want to enjoy your pet and be pleased with his behavior. Your dog wants little more from life than to please you. A dog crate can help to make your relationship what each of you wants and need it to be. Dog crates are a "bargain" when compared to the cost of repairing or replacing a sofa, chair, woodwork, wallpaper, or carpeting.
Use - But Don't Abuse.The use of a dog crate is NOT recommended for a dog which must be frequently or regularly left alone for extended periods of time - such as all or much of the day while the owner is away at work, school etc. If it is attempted, the dog must be well exercised both before and after crating, given lots of personal positive attention, and be allowed complete freedom at night (including sleeping near his owner). His crate must be large enough to permit him comfortably to stretch out fully on his side and to feel that he has freedom of movement, it must also be equipped with a clip-on dish for water .In the case of a puppy, the crate must be used strictly as a ""playpen" for general confinement, having plenty of space for a cozy box for sleeping at on end and papers for elimination at the other, with clip-on dishes for water and for dry food. Crate or no crate, any dog constantly denied the human companionship it needs and craves is going to be a lonely pet - and may still find ways to express anxiety, depression, and general stress.
What kind of crate is best? The most practical kind of dog crate for use by the pet owner is the collapsible wire mesh type, available in a wide variety of sizes. Lightweight and easily handled, it allows total ventilation and permits the dog to see everything going on around him.
What size should a crate be? A crate should always be large enough to permit any age dog to stretch flat out on his side without being cramped and to sit up without hitting his head on the top. While the adult size of a pure bred puppy is fairly easy to predict, that of a mixed breed must be estimated based on general breed/body type and puppy size at a given age. It is always better to use a crate a little too large than one a little too small .For a fully grown adult dog, measure the distance from tip of nose to base (not tip) of tail and use a crate close to, but not less than, this length. The height and width of Rosewood crates are proportioned to the length. For the puppy, measure as above and add about 12" for anticipated rapid growth. If a small crate is unavailable for temporary use, reduce the space of an adult size one with e.g. a reversed carton. Remember that a crate too large for a young puppy defeats its purpose of providing security and promoting bowel control, so its space should always be limited in the beginning - except when being used as an over-all pen. (see "Use - But Don't Abuse" section).
Where should I put it? Since one of the main reasons for using a crate is to confine a dog without making him feel isolated or banished, it should be placed in, or as close as possible to, a "people" area - kitchen, family room etc. To provide an even greater sense of den security and privacy, it should be put in a corner and/or have the sides and back loosely draped with a sheet, large towel, or light blanket, which can easily be adjusted for desired visibility or air. The top of the crate, when covered with a piece of plywood or masonite can also serve as handy extra shelf or table top space. Admittedly, a dog crate is not a "thing of beauty" - but it can be forgiven for not being a welcome addition to the household décor as it proves it can help your dog to remain a welcome addition to the household!
Crating the puppy. A young puppy (8-16 weeks) should normally have no problem accepting a crate as his own place. Any complaining he might do at first is caused not by the crate, but by his learning to accept the controls of his unfamiliar new environment. Actually, the crate will help him adapt more easily and quickly to his new world.
How to use a crate for a puppy. Place the crate in a "people area"- the kitchen, if possible, in a spot free from draughts and not too near a direct heat source. For bedding, use an old towel or piece of blanket, which can be washed and some freshly worn unlaundered article of your clothing such as a tee shirt, sweater etc. Avoid putting newspaper in or under the crate, since its odour may encourage elimination .Make it very clear to children that the crate is NOT a playhouse for them, but a "special room " for the puppy, whose rights should be recognised and respected. However, you should accustom the puppy from the start to letting you reach into the crate at any time, lest he become overprotective of it .Establish a "crate routine" immediately, closing the puppy in at regular 1 to 2 hour intervals during the day (his own chosen nap times will guide you) and when ever he must be left alone for up to 3-4 hours. Give him a chew toy for distraction and be sure to remove collar and tags, which could become caught in an opening. At night, in the beginning, you may prefer to place the crate with the door left open and newspapers nearby, in a small-enclosed area such as the bathroom. Crying at 5.00am is easier to endure/ignore if you know that the puppy is not uncomfortable. Once adjusted to his new life, and if he has no intestinal upset, he will soon show greater bowel control by eliminating only once, or not at all and then may be crated all night in his regular place .en if things do not go too smoothly at first - DON'T WEAKEN and DON'T WORRY. Be consistent, be firm, and be very aware that you are doing your pet a real favour by preventing him from getting into trouble when left alone. Increase the space inside the crate as a puppy grows so that he remains comfortable, If you do not choose to use a crate permanently, plan to use it for at least 5 or 6 months or until the dog is well past the teething phase - then start leaving the crate door open at night, when someone is at home during the day, or when he is briefly alone. If all goes well for a week or two, and the dog seem reliable when left alone, remove the crate itself and leave the bedding in the same spot; although he will possibly miss the crate enclosure, that spot will have become "his own place" and his habit of good behavior should continue. Should any problem behavior occur at a future time, however, the decision whether or not to use a crate longer, or perhaps permanently, will have been made for you! Even after a long period without a crate, a dog which has been raised in one will readily accept it again should the need arise for travel, illness, behavior etc., and may really welcome its return.
Crating the adult dog. Much of the usual problem behavior of an older puppy (over 6 months) or an adult dog is caused by the lack of feeling of security when left alone. Although a crate can fulfill this need, and hence hopefully solve the problems, it must still be introduced gradually, with every possible effort made to be sure that the dogs first association with it is very positive and pleasant. It must also be stressed again here that a dog crate is not intended for frequent long-hours usage for the convenience of an absent owner.
How to use a crate for an adult dog. Place the crate in a location where the dog will definitely feel part of the human family (though still have some privacy), secure the door open so that it can't unexpectedly shut and frighten him. Encourage the dog to investigate this new object thoroughly, luring him inside by tossing tidbits (cheese, liver, sausages etc., which are even more tempting than regular dog treats) into the far end, and letting him turn and come back out - praising him enthusiastically. When he begins to enter the crate confidently, place his bedding and something of yours inside and start coaxing him to lie down and relax, still using food if necessary. Continue this pattern for several days, encouraging him to use the crate as much as possible and shutting the door briefly while you sit beside him or there are people visible or audible nearby. Do not hesitate, however, to meet modest resistance with consistent firmness and authority so that the dog is clearly aware of the behavior you desire; your goal may have to be acceptance not contentment. As soon as you feel confident that the dog will remain quietly in the closed crate (which should be from the beginning!), you may safely leave him alone. Give him a chew toy or a safe big bone to absorb his attention and be sure he has no collar on. Leave him at first for only a brief period (1/2 to 1 hour) until he has proved that he will not resist the confinement. Once he has accepted the crate as his bed and his own "special place", your pet can stop being a problem and start being a pleasure! In due time it may even be possible to wean him gradually off the crate without resuming any problem behavior.
Does The Crate Always Work? Unfortunately, no. Although a crate can indeed be used successfully by most pet owners, there are always those animals, which simply can or will not tolerate this form of confinement. This reaction is not nearly as common with a young puppy (but it does happen) as with an adult dog, especially an "adoptee" of unknown background, a dog which may have somehow suffered a traumatic frightening experience or an unadaptable "senior citizen". In some cases, a dog will use a crate readily as long as the door remains open, but will violently object the moment it is closed and/or he is left alone. It should be stressed here, however, that these reactions definitely represent exception rather than the rule, and that most average pet dogs can be successfully trained to use a crate.
If, despite every effort at positive conditioning and real firmness, a dog is obviously frantic or totally miserable when confined to a crate, forcing him to use one is indeed inhumane and can result in real physical injury should he attempt to chew his way out. Even though a crate may not always work, it is always worth a try - because when it does prevent or solve problem behavior it is truly the "best friend" you and your dog could ever have.
We also supply crates by mail order from our online shop - Dog Items page
