Choosing the Right Crate for Your Dog

A crate can be one of the most beneficial tools for any dog owner. It provides a great way to help housetrain your dog and a way to keep your dog safe when they are not being monitored, among many other benefits. The crate can be an asset to any pet owner, but choosing the right one for your dog can be a daunting task. There are many different types of crates on the market, so which crate is right for your pet?

Wire Crate

Pros

• The wire crate allows for great ventilation, which is especially important in warm climates. It is also good for dogs that tend to get hot easily.
• Most wire crates now come with the option of a wire divider. This allows you to expand the crate as your puppy grows into it.
• Wire crates come with a tray in the bottom, which means easy cleaning since the surface can be removed and wiped down.

Cons

• Some dogs may find it easy to escape from a wire crate.
• Large crates can be big, heavy and difficult to move.

Hard Plastic

Pros

• This crate is perfect for dogs that like to cozy up in a corner.  It is made out of hard plastic and allows for the perfect spot to cuddle.
• If you plan on any airline travel for your dog, this is the crate that all airlines require.
• Since the sides are made of solid plastic, it is typically the most difficult of all standard crates for your dog to escape from.

Cons

• The crate is made of plastic, therefore is bulky and takes up a lot of room. It also doesn’t collapse as nicely as other crates.
• The crate isn’t ventilated as well as other options, so it isn’t designed to be used in warm climates or with dogs that tend to overheat easily.

Soft Sided Crate

Pros

• Perfect for on-the-go travel, these crates collapse down and are lightweight.

Cons

• Since they are made of fabric, they are easily destructible, making them better for smaller dogs and dogs who are already crate trained.
• These crates feature a zipper instead of a standard closure. It can be possible for some dogs to figure out how to escape by unzipping the crate.

Heavy Duty Crates

Pros

• If you have a dog that is a destructive chewer, it might be necessary to buy them a heavy duty crate. These crates are reinforced in order to prevent your dog from escaping.

Cons

• Since the crates are reinforced, they are typically bulky and very expensive.

Choosing the right crate for your dog can be easy, as long as you know what your dog’s needs are and how you intend on using the crate. Take the time to find the right crate and to crate train your dog properly. 

Crate Expectations

So your puppy is doing great. Your pooch is crate trained and is not  having accidents in the house. Now the question is when is it okay to leave your puppy out of the crate when you leave the house or go to sleep? Whether it’s housebreaking, chewing or getting into things, you have to resolve the issue before your dog can roam around your house unsupervised. 

A good rule of thumb is for your pooch to go eight months incident free before letting your dog out of their crate unsupervised.  This means your dog should go an entire eight months without the specific issue. For a dog with housebreaking issues, this means eight months without having an accident in the house. For dogs with a chewing issue, your dog needs to go that period of time without attempting to chew on anything they shouldn’t while under your supervision. Same goes for getting into things; if this is the issue you have with your dog, they need to go that long without attempting to get into things while you are watching them.

The key to successfully having your dog crate-free in your house while you are away is making sure you start with small increments of time. This would entail leaving your dog home alone for no longer than an hour at first, and gradually building up to longer periods of time. Once they grow used to the hour alone, slowly extend the amount of time they are left out of the crate by themselves. At the beginning, your dog should still be confined, even though they are not being crated. This could mean letting them out of the crate, but leaving them in a gated space, such as the kitchen. It’s important to not let your dog have free roam of your entire house right away. Once your pooch has worked their way up to long periods of time in a confined area, you can then begin to give them free reign in other areas of the house. Again, with this transition, you want to start off with small periods of time and work your way back up to longer times. 

When it comes to letting your dog sleep out of the crate, the same eight months free of an accident rule still applies. Remember that you are sleeping, which would allow your dog plenty of time to explore unsupervised. 

While the biggest step in this process requires your dog to behave, you can also help by setting them up for success in their new, more spacious environment. Make sure there are not things around for your dog to easily access. If you had housebreaking issues, make sure your pet goes out before you leave or before you go to bed. If you have a dog that chews, make sure that you have Kongs and chew toys for them to keep their mouths occupied. Always pet-proof your house before you leave by putting away things that could cause problems for your pet, such as garbage and household chemicals. 

Leaving your dog alone is a process, and if your dog has an accident during this process, it’s best to go back to square one. This means if your dog has an accident, you need to return them to the crate the next time you leave, and again at night, until they go another eight months without an accident. Though this can be a long process, it will be worth it so you feel comfortable enough to leave your dog home alone and when you go to bed at night without worrying that they will have an accident. 

We know that life is busy and you may not have the time to go through this process. Morris K9 Campus offers customized puppy housebreaking and training to work around your schedule and help make this training process a little easier.

How Do I House-Train My Newly Adopted Dog?

Unfortunately dogs typically don’t come from shelters or breeders house-trained, and it is important to immediately begin working on the behavior once you get your new dog home. It is also unreasonable to think that a dog coming from rescue, that is stated as house-trained, will immediately come into your home knowing what to do. The sooner you can put your pooch on a potty schedule the higher the success rate will be.

A dog that is not house-trained is the number one reason why dogs are returned or end up in shelters. However, house-training is something with a little structure can usually be solved; it is up to the owner to implement the right tools. When potty training your dog, it is important to keep long term goals in mind, whether your goal is to train your dog to make it a few hours or longer period of time while at work. Once you have a specific goal in mind, you can then put a plan in place to obtain it.

Creating and following a schedule will help them be successful. Dogs tend to do things routinely so a schedule is essential. This means feeding your dog at the same time every day, as well as potty them at the same time every day. When you begin potty training it’s important to notice trends, so for example if your dog eats at the same time every day, chances are they will use the bathroom at the same time as well. It’s important to also realize that puppies will not be able to hold it as long as adult dogs, and no adult dog should be expected to hold it longer than six hours.

Remember that the crate is your friend; a crate can be a great tool that can help facilitate potty training. It gives the dog the capacity to physically and reasonably build their ability to “hold” their urges. However, dog doors are not your friend; they are not the solution to your house-training problem, they might be the reason for it. Dog doors give no structure to your dog’s potty plan and it can be an unsafe situation when a dog is outside unsupervised.

Your dog counts on you to set them up for success. Be realistic about your expectations and understand that adjusting to a new home, new routine, and new lifestyle takes time. Plus, Morris K9 Campus is always here to help!

PUPPIES AND SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation anxiety can be more difficult to cure in older dogs since it is a learned behavior. Last week we provided some tips to help cure this problem in older or mature dogs even after it has already developed. When it comes to puppies, it is possible to avert this problem altogether. Prevention is key and it is up to you, the pet owner, to ensure your puppy does not develop this behavior later in life. If you have a puppy, here are some steps you can take to prevent this issue from developing.

Alone Time
Though this may be extremely difficult, like resisting free samples of chocolate, it is important to limit the amount of time you spend with your puppy. It is not necessary to be by your puppy’s side 24/7. When your puppy is sleeping, let him or her be, don’t hover. If you need to clean your basement, do it. If you need to buy more milk, run out to the store. You don’t need to call a puppy sitter to come for a half-hour or an hour. Leave your pup periodically and they will adjust to this alone time in no time!

Create a Comfy Nook

Again, it is vital to designate an area for your puppy while you are gone. It can be the laundry room, the kitchen or a crate. This will ensure your puppy does not soil the fancy Persian rug or start chewing on sockets and wires as though they were rawhide. Deck your puppy playroom with comfy blankets, toys and a treat or two! Have your puppy spend time in this designated area when you are home as well, so that he or she can adjust to it and not associate the crate with your absence.

Condition

As soon as you get a puppy, it is crucial to acclimate him or her to alone time. This takes a certain amount of conditioning that goes as follows: Put your puppy in their crate and sit close by in the room with them. Read a book or spend time on your laptop. Ignore your puppy if she or he gets anxious, squirms, or tries to get out of the puppy playroom. Praise your pup with sweet words, a treat, and attention when calm. After a while, move back further and continue the same thing; praise for calm behavior, the cold shoulder for fussing. Continue until you are able to move about the room without your puppy creating a scene. After an hour, give your pup a potty break. Next, leave the room. Enter when you pup is settled. Increase the amount of time you are out of the room from five minutes to 10 minutes to 15 minutes and so on. This will show your playful pup that you will return. Progress with this routine until you can step outside the house and even hop in the car and drive around the block or to the local supermarket. Take it slowly and don’t jump ahead until your puppy gets used to each step of the conditioning process and no longer creates a commotion. If you follow these steps your puppy will develop into a confident, self-assured dog that understands when you leave, you will always return to them.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Though we previously addressed this topic in an earlier blog post, it is an issue that continuously plagues dog owners with a solution that seems to remain elusive. Not only do dogs experience distress when separated from their owners but the anxiety is easily transferred to the owner. We as dog owners feel terrible when leaving Fido. We are also forced to suffer through the frustrating side effects of separation anxiety, which can include, but is not limited to, chewed up furniture, relentless barking, digging and soiled household floors or furniture. This makes leaving your house a stressful time for you, as visions of torn carpet and shredded pillows dance in your head. Read on for tips to help solve this aggravating problem.

Photo Courtesy of cogdogblog

Confinement Isn’t Bad
Start by designating an area for your dog to hang out when you are gone, whether it is a crate, the kitchen, or an upstairs bedroom. Periodically confine your dog to this spot while you are home for 30 minutes, then an hour at a time. This ensures that your dog will not associate your absence with being isolated in this designated area and gives you the opportunity to check-in on your dog and observe his or her behavior. When your dog is being quiet and non-disruptive, reward your fuzzy friend with a tasty treat.

Treats and Toys Are Good!

It is essential to place your dog’s favorite toys and engaging, yet safe treats like a Kong filled with kibble in your dog’s confinement area when you leave the house. These pleasant items will keep your pup happy and occupied. Alone time can evolve into a special time of rest, relaxation, yummy snacks, and chew toy playtime that your dog will grow to appreciate.

Make Your Exits and Entrances Casual

Photo Courtesy of Cast A Line

When you leave the house, don't make a scene. Exit as serenely as possible when your dog is engaged in their chew toy or nibbling the kibble from their Kong. It may further help to take your dog on a walk before leaving so they are tired and more likely to relax in their confinement area. When coming back home, it is important to remember to remain calm and placid so as not to over-excite your dog. You don’t want your dog to associate your returns with party time because your dog will only dread your absence more. When you first enter your house, ignore your dog and wait to give him or her attention until they have calmed down. If your dog grabs a chew toy and occupies him or herself, that behavior should also be rewarded. Your dog is displaying independence. At that point you can acknowledge your pup and let him or her out of their crate or whatever room they have been confined to.

Patience is Key

Remember to never scold or physically harm your dog for exhibiting signs of anxiety. Instead, reward your dog when he or she displays calm behavior and shows signs of independence. If you want to avoid the situation altogether, consider bringing your dog to Morris K9 Campus for doggie daycare where your dog will be surrounded by people and other dogs throughout the day. Being a part of this regular pack will decrease their distress about being away from you.

5 Dog Training Myths Debunked!

Prong collars, dominance theory and puppies, oh my! With dog training television shows, books, and the internet, pet owners are inundated with a plethora of training information on a daily basis that is enough to make anyone’s head swim. Unsure of which methods to adopt? We’ve tackled some of the confusing theories you might encounter.

Myth: Puppies younger than 6 months of age can't be trained.

This concept took hold back when collar corrections were all the rage and punishment was acceptable. Modern dog training relies heavily on positive reinforcement which can easily be applied to a young puppy. Puppies are eager little learners and though their attention spans may be short, they are easily motivated by healthy treats, attention or play. Set aside short chunks of time to teach a desired behavior several times a day and keep providing those rewards!

Myth: All interactions with dogs are either dominant or submissive.

In recent years, dominance theory has become a bit overblown. Dominance theory classifies interactions between dogs and owners as either dominant or submissive. However, we feel that this approach is too simplistic and doesn't take into account the myriad dog behaviors that have little to do with dominance or submission. If your canine exits the door in front of you before you go on a leisurely walk, that doesn’t mean your dog is trying to dominate or control you. Your dog is probably just excited to get going! If your dog acts out in an uncontrolled way like eating scraps off the table or pulling on his or her leash for walks, simply teach the correct behavior and reward rather than blaming it on dominance.

Myth: An old dog can’t learn new tricks.

This is an old adage that many people choose to believe when they experience training hurdles. Just because you adopt a mature dog or your pet has carried some bad habits into adulthood doesn't mean training is a lost cause. Treat your mature dog as though it were a puppy; start from square one. If your dog isn't housebroken, begin by taking your dog outside to go to the bathroom and reward afterwards. Teaching new skills and reinforcing old ones is beneficial to dogs at any age and is a wonderful way to keep your dog’s mind young.

Myth: Your dog will seek revenge if you leave him alone.

Though guilt, revenge, and payback are all actions and emotions that exist far too often in the human world, they have little or nothing to do with the realm of our furry four-pawed friends. If you leave your dog alone for a long period of time and return to find the contents of your garbage strewn across the kitchen floor, rest assured that it was not done with vindictive or malicious intent. Our lovable pups are blissfully unaware of those turbulent emotions. Instead, your dog is likely to be acting out in response to anxiety and boredom. If your dog has issues being alone, refer to our previous blog post for some helpful tips.

Myth: Crates should only be used for punishment.

Just because a crate has bars on it does not make it a prison. Crates are an excellent tool for potty training, quiet rest time, and are essential for traveling. If you only use a crate as punishment, it will be very difficult to use the crate when other situations arise, like traveling cross country or even using it as a safe haven for your pet during a thunderstorm. Make your crate comfy with blankets, familiar with toys, and appetizing with treats, food, and water, and your dog will associate pleasant thoughts with the crate. This way, if you are having guests over and don't want your dog getting underfoot, you already have a secure and comfortable place to let Fido rest for a while. 

Truth!

Though it is great that our dog-loving society has no shortage of training information, it can certainly make the training process a mystifying one. Morris K9 Campus is dedicated to staying on top of the latest training tips and techniques while simultaneously incorporating tried and true strategies that have proven effective over the years. If you feel overwhelmed or perplexed by the practice of dog training, consider visiting Morris K9 Campus for guidance on the training process. Our motto is that a well-trained dog is a happy one! 

What dog training myths have you discovered? Which techniques have proven particularly effective for you and your dog?

Sources: http://www.good-dog-care.com/dog-training-myths.html

http://www.apdt.com/petowners/choose/myths.aspx