This is a very controversial topic because many owners consider that dog crates and dog cages are cruel for dogs. They are right and wrong at the same time. How so? Well, the deciding factor is the usage of the cage, not the cage itself. For example, if you want to keep your dog safe while you keep it in the car then the use of a cage can then be named cruel? No, because it is used to increase the pet’s safety.
Indeed, there are cases where a crate or cage is used with cruel goals in mind and that is why this topic has gotten so controversial. In essence, to name crates and cages crus is wrong. Cruel are the ones that use them with goals like torturing or as punishment.
And yes, for a dog the crate or the cage can be seen as a punishment. This is why it is very important to train your dog correctly. He should feel comfortable inside it and by doing this the use of a cage can be beneficial for both you and your dog.
Important Pieces of Advice to Correctly Use Dog Cages.
One of the most important things that you should know about before you search dog cages is the correct size that you need. What matters the most is the size of your dog and the goal of the cage. If you want to use it while transporting the dog in the car then a smaller one should suffice. But if you want to use it as a place where your dog should stay while you leave the house then a bigger one would be better.
You should know that larger dog crates will not be good because dogs feel safer and more comfortable in smaller spaces. If he can turn around and you can put the food and water bowl then that is enough.
There are many people that let their dog in the crate for a day or two but that is actually too much because the dog will start to feel confined and it will be harder to convince him to go in there again. Eight hours is the largest amount of time that you should let your dog in the cage, excluding the night.
If you let your dog sleep in the cage at night, then make sure that you place a toy in there as well. It may wake up and a toy will occupy his time until he falls asleep again. Otherwise, he may wake you up if he starts barking.
The last and most important piece of advice is that crates and cages are not meant to be used as punishments. That’s a cruel thing to do because this will hurt his feelings very much. So, if you truly love your dog you must never punish him that way.
5 Steps to Train Your Dog to Stay in Dog Crates Comfortably
If you follow the steps below you will be able to train your pet to use dog crates and be comfortable while staying or sleeping in them.
1. Introduction. The first step is, of course, the first meeting. You should place the crate in the place where you spend the most time, in the living room for example. Sometimes dogs are curious and they will start using it by themselves. But if they do not, then you should bribe him with food or toys to make him enter.
2. Feeding habit. Move the place where you feed him in the crate. By creating this habit, your dog will not only get used to staying in there but it will also associate the care with a positive sensation.
3. Closing the door. After he gets used to the crate is time to train him to stay in there. You should command him to enter the crate and give him a treat is he listens. In be beginning you should stay some minutes near the crate with him and in time start going to other rooms as well. Vary the periods and slowly extend it.
4. Home alone. When your dog starts to feel comfortable staying in the crate for longer periods of time, you can start letting him alone at home from one or two hours and slowly extend the period.
5. Night in the crate. It is finally time. Your dog is now comfortable to stay dog cages for a longer period of time so you can start to make him sleep in there as well.
