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The Puggy Page
Pictures
Meet the Pug
Buying Puppies
Setting Up House
Training and Care
General Care
Nutrition
Pug Problems 1
Pug Problems 2
Pug Clubs
Breeding 1
Breeding 2
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A dog's crate not only prevents behaviour problems (chewing, soiling, destructiveness, digging, escape behaviour, garbage raiding, etc.) but also serves as a home or den for the dog. Crate training is neither cruel nor unfair to the dog. on the contrary, leaving the dog unsupervised to wander, investigate, destroy, and perhaps get injured is far more inhumane than confinement. As long as the crate is big enough, the do gets sufficient exercise and attention, and it is not left in the crate longer than it can control itself, the crate is a safe, secure, and humane place to confine a pet when unsupervised. Keeping a dog outside in a yard, confined to a pen or dog run, or in a room that can be properly dog proofed are also acceptable alternatives. Crate training has a number of important advantages: Security: A contented dog is able to spend time sleeping, grooming, or chewing a favourite toy in a favourite location out of the way. Safety: Since dogs, especially puppies, have a strong desire to investigate and chew, the crate, like a child's playpen, is an excellent way to keep a dog safe when the owner can't supervise. Dogs that re allowed to investigate may get into medicine chests, cupboards, diaper pails, garbage cans, kitty litter etc. Some dogs have even gone through drywall or glass windows trying to escape. Prevent costly damage: With their instinctual desire to chew, investigate, dig, escape, scavenge and of course eliminate dogs are capable of doing a great deal of damage. A secure, inescapable confinement area can prevent thousands of dollars worth of damage. Prevent behaviour problems: Besides preventing destructive behaviours, crate training can also prevent barking at doors and windows, jumping onto furniture or counters, house soiling and entering inappropriate rooms or areas of the house. Correct behaviour problems: In order to correct problem behaviour the dog must be supervised so that proper behaviour can be rewarded, and undesirable behaviour can be punished. Since no owner is capable of 24 hour monitoring, the dog should be kept in a confined area such as its crate, when the owner is not available to supervise. Train proper chewing & elimination: Since most dogs will not soil their 'den' crate training is one of the best ways to teach a dog to control elimination. The dog can also be directed toward chewing on appropriate objects, by placing selected toys in the crate. Reduce barking: Another common problem is crying when the owner and puppy are separated (especially nighttime). Using crate training techniques the puppy can be taught to spend time atone in its crate. Some owners prefer to allow their puppies to steep in their bedroom (in the crate) where it is less likely to vocalize. Improved dog/owner relationship: Since crate trained puppies require less discipline for misbehaviour, cause less problems and frustration for the owners and are much less likely to cause damage, the pet-owner bond will likely be stronger. Travelling: Since most crates are collapsible or portable they can be taken on trips to securely and safely house the dog. Most motels/hotels require that a dog be crated while in the room. |