Dog Crates are an essential tool for pet training
and containment. You may notice your pet hiding or sleeping under tables or
other confined areas. They are hard-wired by their genetic history to be den animals.
Like a den in the wild, it gives your pet the same small, safe, well-defined space.
Dog crates have many benefits. They provide your dog with a great place for “down time," rest, or a getaway to play with
their favorite toy. They can be a big help with house-training and other basic training. When using to train to potty outside, feed your puppy in the crate. After he is
done eating or drinking, take him to your door, use a command and take your dog outside and wait until he eliminates. Your dog will start associating the command word as a word that means outside and will start holding the urge to eliminate until you are outside.
Dog crates make traveling with your pet easy. It's a relaxed safe place that will help reduce stress or anxiety for your pet. If your dog requires medical attention, it may become necessary to use a crate. It will help reduce the chance of injury when
traveling to and from the vet and will be much less stressful for your dog to recuperate in. It can also help you limit access to the entire house while your dogs know his boundaries and rules.
Dog crates are easy to for your pet to get used with the proper training. When introducing set your pet up for success. Only associate good things with a crate. You should never use it as a as a way to discipline your pet. This will create a negative association. Encourage him to go inside by using treats or his favorite toys. Some dogs will not take to the it right away. With the proper encouragement and patience your pet will eventually learn that the crate is his favorite place. You should leave your pet in it for more than six hours.
There are some factors to consider before purchasing. If you have a puppy, you know he is not going to stay that small forever. You can solve this by getting a larger crate with a moveable divider. As your puppy grows you can adjust to the size that will fit him best. Make sure the crate is big enough so that your dog can stand up turn around and lay flat on his side comfortably. You must also make sure its small enough so there isn’t room for your dog to eat and sleep at one end and eliminate at another.
Midwest Homes for Pets provides you with a variety of options. The Life Stages and Icrate series are durable aluminum wire carriers. They fold flat for easy storage and have carrying handles for easy transportation. The day tripper is a soft sided crate. It's attractive and durable, and is good for use inside and outside. The Bay Isle collection has an attractive wicker design. For really large dogs we recommend the Midwest 1154U. It's 54" long and is big enough for even the largest breeds. We prefer Midwest because Midwest is the leading manufacturer.