Crates: Cruelty...or Kindness?
"He was such a cute puppy...if only he could have been
broken of his bad habits. I really hate to give him up, but perhaps someone else
will have more time or patience with him than I could."
These are familiar words to animal shelter workers.
They hear them day in and day out from frustrated owners who are simply "getting
rid of" troublesome pets...because of some sort of behavior problem. These workers
are also aware that someone else probably WON'T have the patience...and no matter
how well-bred or cute the dog may be, it will probably never find a permanent
home or family. It most likely will become another euthanasia statistic. But it
doesn't have to be this way. The irony is: had the use of a dog crate been SUGGESTED
to those same, well-meaning owners, their reactions would be: "Put my dog in a
crate? Never! That's Cruel!"
Is it really cruel? ... Or could it in reality be kind?
Angelcare will now share a story...
The greatest mistake we devoted pet owners make is that
we tend to consider our pets our furry children...unfortunately they're not. We
fail to acknowledge their limitations and forget to understand their strong
animal instincts that persist despite centuries of domestication. We don't
look at things through their viewpoint; we fail to think like them and expect, sometimes demand, more
than they could possibly deliver. If we start thinking like our pets, there could
be many more happy endings - and fewer animal shelters.
A puppy has many difficult adjustments to make when
it enters its new home. It finds our world confusing and somewhat frightening,
so it welcomes routine, direction, control, and structure. The puppy will instinctively
look for a pack-leader and seek the comfort of a safe place - its own den. Puppies
naturally deposit waste anywhere and sink their teeth into whatever is handy,
but they don't HAVE to. They need to be taught what is acceptable and what is
not - and by the pack leader. Puppies have the want and need to please you - even
young puppies are capable of bowel control and they will happily accept substitutes
for your living room carpet. They do not choose to cause you trouble or make you
angry - they simply do not know otherwise. If allowed to have unsupervised freedom
- which puppies cannot handle - problem behaviors develop that are very difficult to break or retrain! The proper use of a dog crate can start
things off correctly, and keep them that way.
Some people just consider a crate a "Cage" and don't like the idea of their beloved pet being locked up all day. Your dog considers it a bed with a door, and even an indoor den - warm and cozy...safe. The limited space bothers you - not your dog. Most puppies will accept this type of confinement readily - it will give a sense of security and simply be a way of life. Most puppies instinctively want to keep their bed as clean as possible and will teach themselves bowel control, which will aid in your housebreaking. Since puppies nap frequently, they love the cozy bed and private retreat from active children and other types of environmental stress. Your puppy should accept people reaching into the crate at any time, but family members should respect the crate as the puppy's "bedroom" where the puppy may go to get away for a while. Above all, your puppy will need to feel reassured and secure when separated from its human "pack."
Older dogs have similar needs, which can also be met
by a crate, though these adjustments may require positive conditioning and reinforcement.
A crate can offer the security a "problem" dog has been missing (which in itself
could have triggered the bad behavior) and it will certainly help an adopted dog
adjust to their new home a little bit faster.
Fact: fewer adoptees would be available, if they had been given a crate in their first home.
The worst behavior problems - soiling and chewing -
occur when a dog, left entirely to itself, becomes frustrated or bored - or even
just plain lonely! A negative reaction when coming home and discovering the mess
only makes things worse. Because it was not corrected in THE ACT OF misbehaving,
your dog simply does not understand what you're so angry about. This fear is what
makes the dog appear "guilty." This only reinforces a greater insecurity and often
causes not only continued but increased unacceptable behavior. It becomes a vicious
cycle.
The idea of a dog crate is effective control of the
dog, especially a puppy, when you are not at home or cannot keep your eyes on
your pet to correct the bad behavior. The benefit to you is the peace of mind
knowing your dog will be in a safe place and your return home will be a positive
experience. The relationship you both desire can develop and grow all that much
sooner. You do your dog a greater disservice by allowing him to have free range
when you are not home than by putting him in a crate where he cannot get into
trouble.
The idea of a crate is control - but the convenience
should NEVER be abused. The crate should be large enough for a fully-grown dog
to stretch out, stand up, and turn around comfortably. An adult crate can be blocked
off for a puppy and the space enlarged as the puppy grows. The crate should be
placed in a private location (corners are okay), away from drafts and direct heat,
but close enough to the center of activity so your dog still feels very much a
member of the family. The worst place to crate a dog is a basement where you
spend no time at all. Proper bedding and toys should be provided, but do not place
water inside. A sheet can be draped over to provide the snugness of a den - it
is, after all, the dog's bedroom. A puppy can be crated up to 3-4 hours at a time
and also at night once it has learned some bowel control; and an older dog can
be crated up to 12 hours and overnight. The crate is NOT intended for long term
confinement: all day, all night, every day.
And should NEVER be for punishment. Most dogs can be
happily crated, but some may require firmness, conditioning, and convincing before
settling in.
If you are having any trouble, please call us and we
will be more than happy to help you positively crate train your dog.
The most practical type of crate is the collapsible
wire crate found in most pet supply stores, though molded fiberglass and plastic
airline crates are also popular. The airline crate's portability makes the crate
more useful for traveling, since the dog can ride safely within. It also acts
as your dog's "security blanket" when visiting strange places.
For those opposed to its continued presence, it might
not be a permanent fixture once a young dog's good behavior is established and
reliable. Complete freedom may be entirely possible. Although
the dog may then miss the closeness and comfort of its crate.
Your dog loves to please you and deserves to be part
of your family. You, naturally, want to enjoy your pet, and be pleased with his
behavior. Every dog deserves the chance to spend its life as the appreciated pet
of a satisfied owner. The crate can make the relationship you desire that much
easier.
Now you
decide: Cruelty or Kindness?
262-886-8728
Angelcare K-9 Academy
262-886-8728