Dog crate living

November 30, 1:52 AMDallas Pet Health ExaminerCasey Cavalier

Previous Next

3 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Dallas Pet Health Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Image design: Casey Cavalier

Either while traveling - or for every day life - the dog crate can be a great source of security and comfort for your dog.  

There are two popular types of crate, a plastic travel kennel and a collapsable metal crate. You'll know you have the right size crate if your dog can enter, stand up and turn around. There should not be so much room in the crate that your dog has extra space to sleep at one end or the other. He or she should be comfortable and that's about it.

Bigger is not better when it comes to selecting a crate, so be sure to follow directions or ask for a store clerk's assistance.

My dogs can spend 4-6 hours in a crate while I am out of the house. They have spent longer periods of time, but it is important to walk them before and after their stint in the crate. They should also be free to roam for the remainder of the day or evening once they are out of the crate.

I would be hesitant to crate my dogs for 8-hours a day, every day unless they were particularly resiliant and I was dedicated to walking them without fail, in exchange for their time spent confined.

Using a crate while traveling is often a necessity, and beginning the crate training process far in advance of your dog's first trip is essential. Gradually build your dog's time spent in the crate and never use a crate as a means of punishment.

To learn more about crate training and conditioning, visit the U.S. Humane Society's Web site.