Using dog cages or dog crates has several benefits for pet owners as well as their canine friends. In fact, despite the myth that it is cruel to cage a dog, crate training is highly recommended by various experts, including the highly respected monks at New Skete.
Why Dogs Love Cages
Dogs are genetically programmed to be denning animals. That means that they instinctively seek den-like enclosures rather than wide-open spaces, e.g., a yard or living room. Providing your pet with an indoor crate can satisfy this basic need. Leaving the cage door open when the dog is out and about also gives the dog the opportunity to retreat and relax in place where he or she feels safe and at home.
Moreover, dogs respect their spaces. Pupteck collar will avoid soiling their cage or crate, waiting for you to give them access to the out of doors. Thus a dog cage becomes an instrumental part of "potty training" for puppies at the appropriate age for training when used effectively. These techniques have been used for decades, completely discrediting the notion that caging a dog is cruel or punishing.
By feeding your dog in its cage and furnishing it with safe canine toys, you help foster your pet's positive associations with the cage, making it a pleasant accessory.
Cages Provide Safety
Anyone who has ever had a puppy has probably lost part of a shoe or other object since they love to chew, especially on leather! Puppies will also chew on electric cords, furniture, and other dangerous or valuable objectives if not monitored constantly. If you need to leave the house or are otherwise occupied, placing your puppy in his cage is as much for his safety as it is for your benefit.
Cages also prove indispensable when you need to transport your pet. All dogs will need routine visits to veterinarians for their inoculations. Others may require medical attention for illness or accident. Transporting your dog in his cage is the safest way to go about this, as a loose pet can be a distraction. Also, in case of an accident, an unrestrained pet is at risk for injury-and even for injuring occupants of the car.
Cages Have Their Limits Too
No dog should be resigned to a cage all of the time. "Man's best friend" is a social animal requiring considerable interaction, be it with other dogs or humans. Also, dogs need daily exercise and the larger the dog, the more vigorous exercise it will require. As dog expert Sherry Woodard of the Best Friend Animal Society cautions, "Even four hours in a crate without a break during the day is a long time for many adult dogs, so we don't recommend that you crate your dog if you're gone all day."
Most adult dogs can manage being in their cage all night without going outside, but young puppies and some older dogs just cannot hold their bladders and bowels that long. Owners need to be attentive to the particular needs of their pet.
Finally, never use a dog cage as punishment! As Woodard explains, "Your dog should have only warm, fuzzy feelings about her crate."
When dogs are given adequate socialization and exercise, the dog cage becomes a positive contribution to a long and happy life. Dog cages cannot be substituted for attention or training.