Fit as Fido

Great Crate Advice

08.04.2010 // Fit As Fido // Dawn A. Marcus, M.D. // No Comments

A dear friend of mine is getting her first puppy. When she asked me about crate training, I wisely gave her a copy of what I consider to be the absolute best book on puppy rearing, Mother Knows Best by my favorite author Carol Lea Benjamin. I used crates for my puppies and still use them religiously for my dogs, who joyfully bound inside when I cheerfully announce, “Kennel up!”

My friend also asked me where to place the crate in their home — basement, kitchen, or bedroom. They had gotten conflicting advise from their vet and the breeder. Once again, I turned to the experts and this time got the answer from the veterinarians at Wood Dog Crate.

Here’s what the experts say about the best spot for your dog’s crate
Dogs are pack animals, and aren’t happy being on their own. You need to keep this in mind when you are deciding where to put your crate. Even though they are crated, your dog will want to feel like they are part of your family life.

Although it is tempting to put your dog’s crate in a spot where it doesn’t get in the way, that’s not a good idea. If your dog is crated in a quiet secluded part of your home, they will feel lonely and isolated.

One suggestion is to put your dog’s crate in the room which has lots of family activity, such as the living room. That way they can still have company while they are crated. Admittedly, crates aren’t the most stylish addition to your home decor, but they can look better if you put a piece of timber or plastic on the top, and make it into a bench or corner table. You might also consider using a wood dog crate as this is a stylish crate that serves as a piece of furniture.

If your dog is just a baby and isn’t used to their crate, they may cry and whimper during the night. It won’t do any harm to take the crate into your bedroom for a night or two, until they are familiar with their new bed. If you put it beside your bed, you can put your hand down to soothe your pup without having to get out of bed. Another option is to use a soft crate and let your pup sleep in their crate on your bed. Make sure your bed is big enough for all of you! When your pup is happily sleeping in their crate, you can then move it to its permanent spot in your home.

There are safety issues that you need to consider when choosing where to put your dog’s crate. Make sure they can’t reach any electrical cables or power cords – these can be dangerous if chewed.

Keep the crate away from curtain cords or tassels, as these can cause a serious intestinal obstructions if they are broken and swallowed. Blankets and pillows in the crate will make life comfortable for your dog but they too are harmful to dogs who chew.

While you’re thinking about a safe spot for your crate, make sure you choose a spot that has good air circulation and is well away from air vents and drafts.

The best spot for your dog’s crate is the one that meets all your needs. From your perspective, the crate isn’t in the way and it doesn’t look too bad in your lounge room. From your dog’s point of view, they are in the middle of the action and they don’t feel excluded from family life. It may take some thought and planning, but when you find the right area, life will be more enjoyable for everyone.

And if you are very stylish — like my friend getting the new pup — check out the gorgeous wooden crates at Wood Dog Crate, which make a functional dog crate become a wonderful piece of furniture that you’re definitely NOT going to want to hide in the basement!