Crate Training Debacle

When some people think about dogs in crates they automatically associate the idea with inhumane treatments. While it is true that thousands of good pets are isolated by their owners in crates because their owners are unable to deal with the behavioral problems of their pets, it si not to be applied to ALL crate trained animals. Used correctly a crate can be as valid a training tool as a dog leash.
Here are some facts:
- A dog "crate" is the general term referring to a rectangular enclosure consisting of a top, a floor, 3 sides, and a door. Crates can be constructed of wire, wood, metal, molded plastic or a combination of these materials. The purpose of a crate is to provide a secure short-term confinement area for safety, housebreaking, protection of household goods, travel, illness, or general control.
- Veterinarians, dog show exhibitors, obedience and field trial competitors, trainers, breeders, groomers, and anyone who regularly handles dogs have accepted, trusted, and routinely used dog crates since their inception. It is the individual pet owners, who for the most part, have rejected the idea of using a dog crate. Most consider the use of a crate as unfair confinement, or even harmful to the dog.

Reasons to crate train your dog:
1. Enjoy complete peace of mind when leaving your dog home alone, secure in your knowledge that you will not discover anything soiled or damaged upon your return, and that your dog is comfortable, safe, and not getting into any bad habits.
2. Because dogs tend not to soil where they sleep - housebreaking your puppy can become easier. The close confinement of the crate encourages control, helps to establish a routine for outdoor elimination, and can help avoid "accidents" during the night or when left alone.
3. It creates an area to confine your dog at those times when his curiosity can be detrimental such as getting underfoot at meal time, or during family activities, or when you have guests.
4. Travel safely - the driver won't be distracted, in the event that the driver has to hit the brakes the dog will not be thrown about the car.

And finally... 5. Your dog LIKES his/her crate. Why? To him: "I love having a place of my own; I have my blanket, my favorite toys, no body bothers me in here, it's all mine." OK, so this isn't a direct quote, but try to see a crate from another point of view. Dogs have a den instinct. The dog crate helps to satisfy this instinct. You see it as closed in - he sees it a security. You may object to being controlled - he only wants to please you and do whatever you wish. To you it is a "cage" - to him it is "home."

I'm going to blog more about crate training, but honestly given what I've read I think it's a good idea... the only problem is finding one big enough to house my Newfoundland if I get one...