THE INDOOR KENNEL

Dogs are denning animals and our domestic pets have inherited their denning instinct from their wild ancestors. An indoor kennel or crate will satisfy that natural denning instinct and actually help her to feel more secure. To you it is a cage, to your dog it is home!

The advantages of giving your dog her own den within your den are numerous.

• HOUSE TRAINING becomes a doddle. A dog will not toilet in the den so if you establish a regular routine for going outside your puppy will learn to control her bladder and bowel very quickly.

• TRAVELLING is much safer with a portable crate. No risk of the dog distracting the driver and in the event of an accident the dog is less likely to be injured or to get loose on the road.

• WHEN LEFT AT HOME ALONE you can enjoy complete peace of mind knowing that your dog is safe and your homecoming will be a happy occasion for you both. The anxiety caused by fear, confusion and punishment for problem behaviour can be avoided.

• IF YOU HAVE (UNWELCOME) GUESTS such as workmen, who may leave a door open, a children’s party, perhaps an elderly aunt who is nervous of dogs.

• DURING ILLNESS OR CONVALESCENCE especially if you have more than one dog.

• HOLIDAYS OR VISITING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. Your dog will easily adapt to strange surroundings if she can take her own den and it goes without saying that she will be much more welcome with it than without it!

INTRODUCING YOUR DOG TO A CRATE.

Rosewood fold flat crates can be obtained through Scallywags at well below the recommended retail price and most sizes are usually available for hire.

Size is important. The length should be the same or a little more than the length of your dog from her nose to the base (not tip) of her tail. Width and height in manufactured crates are proportionate to the length but she should be able to stand up without hitting her head and turn around comfortably.

It should be placed in a social part of the house. Kitchen or lounge, wherever you spend the most time or even the bedroom at night for a young puppy where it can gradually be moved to where you want her to sleep. Preferably in a corner but definitely away from draughts and direct heat.

Leave the crate up with the door fixed open and allow your dog/puppy to investigate it on her own. Start to encourage her to go inside. Put her blanket in there, toys, titbits, even her meal. Once she is happy to go in and settle then close the door for a second or two and gradually build this up. If she objects to the door being closed then it is important for obvious reasons that you wait for her to settle before opening it.

With the exception of overnight it would not be advisable to confine your dog for more than 3 or 4 hours at a time. Before you leave her in her crate make sure that she is well exercised and that she has ‘been’. Always remove her collar, for safety reasons and leave her water either in a clip on bowl or a non-spill bowl with a lid. It is also a good idea to leave her a good quality chew toy to occupy her, perhaps one that she only has when you leave her so as to retain it’s novelty value.

NEVER SEND YOUR DOG TO HER CRATE FOR PUNISHMENT

It is important that your dog’s associations with her crate are positive and pleasant. It should not be used frequently for long hours for the convenience of the absent owner.

Not all dogs will readily accept a crate. A rescue dog that has maybe suffered in the past through being confined or perhaps a senior citizen that is too set in her ways but this is the exception rather than the rule.

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