To crate, or not to crate, is no longer the question. The question
is HOW to crate train. We who breed Welsh Terriers owe it to our pet puppies
and their new owners to give correct and adequate instruction in the use of the
crate, including the extra uses and abuses. My pups are crate trained at eight
weeks, so by the time they leave for new homes at ten or twelve weeks, a good
start has been made. Leaving nothing to chance, however, each new pet owner is
send off the with the following guide which seems to answer most of the common
questions. (Okay, those of you who know me are laughing because I send the new
owner off with enough mimeographed material to keep him up all night reading
while the pup sleeps soundly in his crate.) Here it is:
Most people feel they don't want to put the new family member into a crate
and perhaps that is the very reason why breeders and dog show exhibitors refer
to these special dog beds as "crates". It helps, too, to accept the use of
the crate if you first realize that dogs are den animals, so the enclosed crate
gives your puppy an instinctive feeling of safety, comfort and security. They
like it covered (except for the front) especially at night and the crate can
be made into a "built in" end table in the family room.
Use the crate for a young puppy as a safe bed and as an aid in housbreaking.
A healthy pup that has been raised in clean quarters won't want to soil his
bed. Left loose, even in the kitchen, he will select an area of his own choosing
to eliminate - establiishing a bad habit which you will have to break. On the
other hand, if he is confined to his crate overnight, he will whine and fuss
when he wakes up in the morning. Take him out of the crate and carry him outside.
This way, there's no chance of a mistake while you are opening the door. The
pup will have learned two things: 1) When he asks to elimiate away from his
crate, you assist him, and 2) That you prefer and approve his use of an area
outdoors.
He may get you up very early the first few mornings, but when he's ready
to come in he can be put back into his crate with a toy or a piece of biscuit
while the family catches a few more winks. Each morning he'll sleep a bit later
until he is in harmoney with the family's schedule.
Always be certain the dog has "emptied out" (urninated and defecated) before
putting him in the crate at night before you go to bed, or at any other time
when you will leave him crated for a long period of time. Use the crate during
the day when you are too busy to watch him, first giving him the opportunity
to eliminate outside. Use the crate, too, as a place to let a wet dog dry out
(after toweling the worst of it). Use the crate to restrict him until your
kitchen floor is dry, to keep him safe when painters, or the kids, are going
in and out of the house etc. The list could be endless. As he matures, he will
PREFER to sleep in his crate (it's his bed) so be sure the door is always open
when he is not being confined.
Sometimes a housebroken puppy will take a step backwards. He spends his time
outdoors sniffing and playing and then returns to the house only to realize
he forgot "to go". Rather than let him have an accident, put him into his crate
when his outdoor trip has been nonproductive (if it is at the time when he
normally eliminates). Take him outside again when he indicates he is ready.
This housebreaking does take a little of your time, but remember, each accident
YOU let happen is a relapse for you both. "Prevention" is the key word in reinforcing
good habits. Careful, friendly supervision when the puppy is not crated will
help him establish good habits. Most Welsh live to be twelve to fifteen years
old, so the first few months of training is a long term investment.
If the puppy has an accident in his crate, don't punish. Instead, figure
it is very likely your fault, not his, and what he needs is consolation (misery
does love company) and reassurance. "Oh dear, Poor puppy. What happened to
my little Taff?" etc. In the crate, several thicknesses of folded newspapers
will give insulation and absorption in case of accidents. Newer crates have
a grate that fits into the bottom of the crate to prevent the puppy from laying
in wet. The best possible bedding in the crate is a big cotton towel. It's
a natural fiber and can't injure the dog if he chews it. Some Welsh are allergic
to nylon and other man made fibers. A couple of old bath towels can easily
be washed and the dog's bed is fresh and clean.
It's "have pet, can travel" when that pet travels safely in his crate bed
to motel, grandma's or camp site. A crated dog won't lick the wondows, chew
upholstery, bite the man in the toll booth, or jump around causing accidents.
Windows can be safely rolled down for people comfort and left down if the dog
must be left in a parked car during warm weather. (No matter where you leave
your car, check frequently as a dog can die from heat prostration in a matter
of minutes and the sun does move). In the case of an accident (even a minor
one where only a door springs open) a crated dog can't escape to be lost or
killed on the highway. Anyone coming to your aid can easily remove the dog
in his crate to be put somewhere safe.
A final word, and probably the most important NEVER..... truly, NEVER, EVER..
put your dog into his crate as a punishment. If you are angy with him (the
day will come - we're all human) put him in his outdoor run or close him in
the bathroom, or in the cellar, or in the garage. But never, NEVER slam him
into that crate when he's done something to make you angry. That crate is his
haven and should be strictly out of bounds to his people. He may escape into
his crate (and spread himself like wallpaper on the back of it) to avoid punnishment,
and if so, at least he knows he has erred and that is three quarters of the
battle in training. He can't undo whatever he's done wrong, but chances are
good that he will remember not to do it again. As a very young puppy every
period in the crate should be accompanied by a biscuit or toy. A crate is a
HAPPY place - ask any dog who owns one.
Bardi McLennan