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Health & Fitness

The Beauty of Crates

Dog owners are often surprised to discover their companions actually prefer a crate to call their own as opposed to not having one and it can make life easier for everyone in the household.

I remember my first dog, the one that was really mine, not one who belonged to my parents. I adopted her from a shelter where I volunteered. I remember bringing her home after a very expensive trip to a pet store and settled in to begin what I thought would be our new, joyful life together, one where we would spend our days in each other's quiet company and our early evenings on peaceful walks through verdant meadows. She would understand and sense my pure, sincere desire to give her a loving home and she would respond by settling into a nice routine of napping interspersed with a few walks and tennis ball tosses.

I didn't expect her to be a 'Lassie' type, no need to enter a burning building. I didn't expect her to be housebroken, well, or, maybe I did but I shouldn't have. I don't think I expected much from her but I know I did NOT expect that she would be anxious when I got her home. She was inconsolable for weeks. Pacing, whining, up down, up down, barking and then more pacing. It seemed she wasn't happy to be with me and I was in despair about what to do. A trainer at our shelter introduced me to the idea of a crate as a 'safe' place for dogs to relax, especially dogs who come from a shelter.

Many shelter dogs have been abused or neglected and may be initially uneasy around new humans – a crate is their own space away from the world. I took his suggestion and had immediate positive results. Over the years I've learned that introducing a dog to a new household is much easier if the dog has a crate to go to when they're anxious or tired. I use wire crates and cover them with a blanket for warmth and privacy. We've also had good luck putting a used bed pillow in the crate for dogs or pups who need to feel connected to their human pack member.

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While some people have said they think crating a dog is "cruel" the crate is very similar to how dogs live in the wild: they seek shelter in caves. If your crate is the right size and "well appointed" most dogs will love going in when they're tired or need a break. Here is a site with information on crates as well as some for sale. Good luck and let me know if you've had a good experience using a crate with your dog or pup!

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