Housetraining can be a difficult task, but utilizing the proper dog crate can expedite the housebreaking and training process.
“A crate enables the pet owner to do two things. Firstly, the create will serve as a safety zone – the equivalent of a den to canines in the wild. Secondly, the dog will not go to the bathroom in the crate, providing it’s the proper size. Of course if the dog is left inside the crate for an entire day, an accident may occur, but generally speaking, it’s a dog’s instinct to keep its bedroom area clean,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
Dog owners should consider the following points when selecting a new dog crate:
Wire Dog Cages vs. Plastic Dog Crates
Wire dog cages and plastic dog crates are essentially equal when it comes to function and safety for the pet. Cleaning is a bit more difficult when it comes to wire dog cages, as each individual rung must be wiped down, while plastic dog crates can be wiped down with ease.
Wire crates tend to be more visually appealing, particularly when they’re located in a main living area and wire crates are also safer for a dog who chews due to anxiety or boredom. On the other hand, a plastic crate can be damaged as a result of chewing and the plastic could potentially cause injury to the dog’s intestinal tract, resulting in an intestinal obstruction. Also, many plastic crates are airline-approved and can also be used for airplane travel, which is another point to consider when purchasing a crate. Plastic crates may also better suit an anxious dog, creating a cozy “den-like” atmosphere, though a similar effect can be created by placing a blanket over the top of a wire cage.
Proper Crate Sizing
“How do I know what size crate to purchase?” This is one of the most commonly asked questions concerning dog crates and dog cages. In sum, the dog should be able to stand and turn around in a circle with ease. An overly large crate will make the dog more prone to having bathroom accidents, as the large size will enable the dog to essentially divide the crate into a bathroom area and a bedroom area. Notably, cage dividers are available for many wire cages. The cage divider serves as a panel that can be placed at the rear of the cage, allowing owners to cordon off a portion of the crate. This will help dog owners avoid purchasing a new crate when the dog reaches adulthood.
To get an idea of ideal crate size, owners should begin by measuring the dog’s length (the tip of nose to the tip of the tail), and height (top of the head to the ground). A total of approximately 12 inches (more for a giant breed dog, and less for a toy dog) should be added to each measurement. The head to tail measurement plus twelve inches is the ideal depth of the crate. The height measurement plus twelve inches is the ideal height. Three quarters of the ideal depth figure will be the ideal width measurement.
Look for Good Pricing
Pricing varies depending on where the crate is purchased. Consider purchasing a crate from a pet supply company, like PetEdge, which sells the same products as pricey pet stores, but for a fraction of the price. Or consider checking the Want Ads. Dog crates and cages that are in great condition are commonly available for a fraction of the price in the classified ads. The disadvantage is that there are fewer options in terms of selection.
A crate can serve as a comfort zone for a dog, but it can also provide an owner with a place to leave his dog unattended, where it won’t go to the bathroom, thereby aiding in the housebreaking process.
“Housebreaking involves providing positive feedback for appropriate behaviors, and giving negative feedback for inappropriate behaviors. If your dog is wandering off while you’re not supervising, and he goes to the bathroom indoors without receiving negative feedback, the inappropriate behavior will be harder to eliminate. On the other hand, if you’re there to give feedback each and every time, the process will be expedited,” Dr. Levine added.
Proper crate selection is vital when purchasing a dog crate or dog cage that will be used as a housebreaking aid, and following the aforementioned tips will help dog owners to select the ideal crate for their puppy or adult dogs.
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