A crate is the best thing you can buy for your dog. The sooner the better. The crate should be big enough for the pup to stand, turn around, and stretch a bit when lying down. If it is too big, the extra room in the crate can cause crate soiling and defeat the purpose of training. If you have a tiny or small dog, the crate you buy now should be sufficient for it as an adult. If your pup will grow up to be an average sized animal (35-50 pounds) a medium crate or #300 will be sufficient, and you can buy this size now for a relatively young pup, and block part of it off with a box, so it doesn't have an area to soil. If your dog is a giant breed you could try buying a huge crate and blocking part off now, but you may find that you will need a different crate later. If your dog is a random bred dog, eventual size may be impossible to determine, and you may buy one that is too big or too small. Remember, you can always sell your crate if it is the wrong size. You won't make a profit, but people do want them, and you will be helping a dog.

Dogs actually like the privacy of their crates. Crating your dog isn't cruelty, unless they are crated for a huge amount of time, or its cold, or whatever, but you won't do this will you? As an aid to potty training, the theory is that a dog will not soil its bed, and if the crate is the appropriate size and you use an appropriate schedule for the puppy, this works perfectly.

To crate train your dog, start with small amounts of time. Everything in a puppies life is small amounts of time. Short play time, short potty endurance, short attention span, and....short sleep time, then it all starts again. Let your puppy potty first, and play with it a bit. Then put it in its crate to sleep. As soon as the puppy wakes, take it out of the crate to potty right away, praise, and play. The crate is never for reprimand. The puppy is placed in the crate after loves and positive experiences. I don't think we like to go to sleep with someone mad at us.

Here is a list of the reasons to have a crate. This has been adapted from a list of reasons to have a crate by Chris Walkowicz, veterinarian and writer:

1. Aids in housebreaking.
2. Protects your house from damage.
3. Protects your puppy from danger.
4. Perfect for post-surgery recovery.
5. Feeding is easier with a crate, especially if you have other dogs.
6. A get away den for your dog when you have company.
7. A great end table. Yes,only in a dog owner's house.
8. Post bath drying.
9. Safety in car for the dog. Dog cannot be thrown about on a short stop or collision.
10. Safety for you. Dog will not climb on your lap or bump you while your are driving.
11. You can roll the car windows down for the dog in a crate in warm weather.
12. Increased acceptance of you and your dog when a guest at a friend's or a motel.
13. Prevents accidental escape from car or house.
14. Separates dogs who dislike each other, or separates dogs while eating.
15. Separates males and females while "she" is in season.
16. Allows dog to be shipped easily - already used to crate.
17. Convenience for you while at a dog show or other pubic event with your dog.
18. Can use crate top for a grooming table.
19. Keeping two perfectly groomed dogs "perfect" until they play with each other.
20. A teaching experience for other dog owners.
21. A hors d'oeuvre table at parties (party for dog people).
22. Protects your dog from rambuctious children, and protects the children.
23. Allows breeders or dog handlers to stack dogs more than one deep.
24. Fun for grandchildren to play in.
25. Sleeping quarters for your dog, and your bed to yourself.
26. Perfect for storing things when you don't have a dog.
27. Perfect "mud room" for dogs after a wet walk or play session.
28. Separates two dogs at mealtimes so the "fat one" doesn't get it all.
29. Confines a boisterous dog so you can have some peace.
30. Confines a dog when someone visits.
31. Easily cleaned.
32. Keeps dog confined when you go out.
33. Security blanket for dog.
34. Prevents formation of bad habits.
35. Comfy place for dog when dog (or you) are not well.
36. Dog can be in centre of things without being underfoot.
37. Reasonable cost when comparing with replacing carpet or furniture.
38. Resale value, but once you have it you won't want to sell it.
39. They come in assorted sizes, just like dogs.

Reason not to have a crate - you don't have a dog

Watch for next week's obedience article (The Gift Dog Part III) where I will discuss early collar and lead training.

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Reprinted with permission by Bonnie Tetlock

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