Crate Expectations – Monster in a Cage!

I finally gave in and crated Travis. In all honesty, I’ve always been rather lukewarm about crates. They certainly have their place for travel or in a veterinary or show setting, but I was never keen on crating dogs in the home.

That was before I had a lively puppy!

Travis’ breeder had accustomed him to being crated and he was very happy to get into his basket while he was in quarantine. He was also used to borrowing crates in clients’ houses while I worked with their dogs. At home, his pen takes up the whole of the living room anyway so I had been reluctant to get a crate as well due to lack of storage space.

However, the time has come when I need to get back to behavioural consultations and cat training where it would not be appropriate for him to tag along. I’ve purchased crates for the friends who look after him, and he is so happy to to see the crate that he almost takes my arm off as he charges in. This is because his breeder and I have been careful to ensure that he only has positive associations with being crated and that leads me to my other problem with crates.

It is soooo tempting to crate your annoying puppy when you need some time to yourself, but that can very quickly lead to too much time confined as the relief of being able to get on with your life without being tripped up, having your shoelaces undone and the myriad other joys of puppyhood that are inflicted upon your day. Instead of being a place of rest and security, the crate becomes a place of punishment and is quickly poisoned.

Crate time should be kept to a minimum and always provide water, bedding and a chew toy. Here, Travis is brandishing a yak cheese chew and he has emptied a Kong which you can see behind him.

Next time, I’ll remind my friend to sort out the red-eye setting on his camera!

Next week: A Soggy Day Out – It’s Wimbledon Fortnight 

Meanwhile, why not check out R+Dog Training Puppy Start Right Courses  and the new Puppy Social Walk in Chiswick House grounds for help with understanding your puppy and accustoming his to a crate.