- Crate training
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Crate training is the process of teaching a pet to accept a crate or cage as a familiar and safe location. Advocates claim that dogs are den-dwelling animals and that a crate can become a den substitute. Proponents also advocate crate training so that cats as well as dogs can be safely transported to veterinary appointments and have a safe place to stay should they and their family be evacuated due to a disaster.[1][2][3]
A dog in a wire crate strapped into a car for safe traveling.
Contents
Crate training
Crate training is often practiced with new puppies as a method of house-training. Puppies naturally do not want to dirty the place where they sleep, so they will try as much as possible to hold it while they are in their crate. Of course, young puppies can not control their bladders for long: about one hour for every month of age.[4] Owners of young dogs will have to continue to take the puppy outside frequently.
Crate training is the process by which a domestic pet becomes accustomed to and eventually accepts a crate. This can involve making a crate an inviting place by placing small familiar toys inside, moving the pet bed into crate, leaving unwashed items of the owner's clothing inside, rewarding pets for entering the crate and remaining inside, incorporating the crate as part of play, feeding the pet in the crate, allowing the pet to explore and use the crate until it is no longer intimidating, and eventually building to the pet sleeping in the crate overnight.
Part of proper crate or cage training requires the pet owner to observe calm and relaxed behaviour around the crate. The pet will attribute any emotional responses such as raised voices or other nervous behaviours to the foreign object in their normal environment. It is important for the owner not to create any negative associations with the cage in order for the pet to accept the crate in a calm manner.
Cage selection
It is important to pick a crate that is the correct size for the pet and is appropriate for its purpose. Often larger crates come with some sort of divider so that a crate can grow with the pet. The correct size for a crate is just enough room for the animal to stand up and turn around. A cage for use at home can be larger than one used for travel. Crates used for international transport should adhere to international regulations stipulated by IATA [5] [1]. If the crate is too big the pet may be inclined to defecate at one end and sleep in the other, which undermines one of the purposes of crate training.[6] During air travel, an oversized cage does not permit the pet to use the sides easily as a brace during turbulence.[7] Likewise, crates that are too small pose a health risk by restricting and preventing proper air-flow and ventilation. This is of particular concern to domestic pets of a Brachycephalic breed require extra room due to the high incidence of death in these pet transports. Due to their shortened airways and limited ability to cool themselves through panting, overheating while traveling poses a risk to the health of such breeds.
A dog in a soft crate.Objections
Crates are not universally accepted as a positive method of dog training. Steven Lindsay, in his Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training compares a dog’s attachment to a crate with the Stockholm Syndrome.[8]
References
- ^ Sophia Yin, DVM, MS (200*9). Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats. CattleDog Publishing. pp. 126–137. http://lowstresshandling.drsophiayin.com/.
- ^ Patrick Melese, MA (1996). Lowell Ackerman, DVM. ed. Dog Behavior and Training: Veterinary Advice for Owners. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. pp. 146–147.
- ^ Suzanne Hetts, PhD; Dan Estep, PhD. "Using Crates for Dogs". AVSAB online. http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=139&Itemid=375. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ Spadafori, Gina (2001-02-25). "How long can a puppy "hold it" at night?". Petconnection.com. http://www.petconnection.com/articles.php?action=detail&id=2357. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
- ^ "Traveller's Pet Corner". Iata.org. 2010-10-01. http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/pets.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
- ^ "Crate Training". Thedogtrainingsecret.com. http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/crate-training. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
- ^ http://www.dogfrt.co.nz/dog_cat_crate.htm
- ^ Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training by Steven Lindsay: ISBN 978-0813807546
Categories:- Dog training and behavior
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