Helpful Tips in Crate-Training Your Dog

Animals have their own habitats. Take them out of their habitats and they’ll start feeling uncomfortable, even become sick. This is why there are those who are strong advocates against keeping animals in captivity in zoos. For domesticated dogs, however, they’re used to being in a man’s house. They can freely roam around the property even without a leash.

 

For some well-meaning pet owners, they want to give their canine companion that feeling of living in a den by getting them a crate or a cage. Although cages are not necessarily substitutes for a dog’s lair, they can be the next best thing to it. The challenge for the owner is how to train his four-legged friend to be comfortable in a cage.

 

If you’re planning to get your dog a cage, here are some helpful tips on how to crate-train him:

 

Get a crate big enough for him – The size of the crate you’ll get doesn’t have to be very large, but it should at least allow your pooch to take at least a couple of paces inside it. It also has to be tall enough so that his head doesn’t hit the top part when he’s in a sitting position (compared to humans, dogs are taller when they sit).

 

Put something inside that will entice him to step in – It can either be his favorite toy or food. The key is to get him to walk inside the cage without forcing him. Once he’s inside, don’t close the crate door just yet. Allow him to get used to being there. It may take several attempts before he starts getting comfortable in it, so patience is one virtue you should really have while training him.

 

Provide creature comforts inside – Depending on what your dog’s used to, you can lay a thick cloth on the floor of the cage and put pillows there as well. If you’ve decided that you’ll also feed him inside the crate, put his feeding bowl in there as well.

 

Make him get used to being carried while inside the crate – One of the reasons for getting a dog a cage is to make him comfortable being carried around while inside it. Therefore, part of your crate-training is to lift the cage with him inside it and transfer it to different locations in your house. By doing this, if you need to take him with you in a car, he will no longer feel uncomfortable or even disoriented.

 

These are the basic steps in crate-training your pet pooch (if he barks excessively during the training, you can stop dog barking by using anti-barking collars). You can also enlist the help of someone who has crate-trained his own dog to help you out in case your attempts are not too successful.

 

Dog-Proofing Tips for Your House and Home

He Just Can’t Help Himself

You’re either a cat person or a dog person, but you probably aren’t even fond of either. An outsider will wonder about the perks of raising breeds when it takes so much work; barking dogs are like children in a house without rules. You have to experience it to understand it, though. I’m more of a dog guy, essentially because dogs really pay you back for what you invest. Seeing my barking dogs ecstatic after about an hour of separation restores my faith in humanity. It doesn’t get any better than that. The least that you can do is to ensure your home is free from health and safety hazards, especially the kinds we often take for granted.

 

Everyday Items Considered Toxic

 

The problem with dog-proofing a home is the variety of ordinary household items that risk your pet’s life. Vermin poison and detergents are a given, but there are also food and items considered safe for humans, dangerous to dogs. You have to be careful about the kinds of plants you raise on your garden; you can’t risk the chance of dogs chewing onto these. It’s harder to sort when you’re into ornamental plants and herbs, though. The least that you can do is set up a greenhouse locked from outside access. Dogs have a habit of digging through stuff to get to something they want, so you should make sure your plants are sheltered and tucked away properly (for potted plants).

 

Plants and Household Items

 

Daffodils, narcissus, jasmine are but a few of the common garden plants containing chemicals toxic to dogs. And then there’s the usual fare of mushrooms, wild growth, and toadstool you constantly have to keep an eye on. If your dog is housebroken and you’re letting it roam indoors, keep all household chemicals from paw’s reach. The variety is endless, bleach, detergent, medications included. It’s also better if you’re familiar with the kinds of food considered toxic to dogs, especially spices, nuts, and chocolate. Be careful about handing over leftovers of casseroles, check if the ingredients are safe for your dog’s health.

 

Invest in Your Dog’s Safety and Training

 

Investing in your dog’s health pays off in the long run. You can purchase all the supplies you need online; dog-proofing your home also means you’re ensuring your dog isn’t a nuisance, and there are training tools you can invest on to keep its habits and impulses under control. Train barking dogs to be docile; the noise can be a problem in the wee hours of the morning, and the least you can do for your neighbors is the assurance of a full night’s sleep. Consider your dog a child in potty training and deal with the hassles.