What is a Crate?

[TrinaJ]

Hi everyone, as i stated in my previous message, I'm from Australia and i notice that a lot of you talk about putting your dogs in the crate for a timeout. THis is probably a stupid question to you all but what exactly is a crate? I am picturing this tiny little cage that you use to transport small dogs and cats! So i definately know i am on the wrong track.

Thanks

Trina

[Anne]

I'm from Australia too, there are quite a few of us here. My dogs have crates, the doors are open and the dogs go in their crates of their own accord.
Do a google on crates.

[AngelBunny]

Crates are sturdy containment devices, made of metal or plastic, that come in different sizes, for the smallest dog all the way up the biggest dog.

Many of us (myself included) think crate training is an important life skill for dogs. Doing a search on "crate training" will pull up discussions as to why we feel this way.

Right now, we have 2 personal bitches and one male foster. The only time our girls spend time in a crate is when we visit my DH's 95 yo mother who lives in a just-so house with lots of small dainty tables on which sit fragile items or when Rottie rescue's board meets at our house and everyone brings a dog or two.

Right now, we have a metal crate big enough for a Great Dane set up in our bedroom because our foster likes sleeping in it. He puts himself into it for naps and that's where he sleeps at night--entirely of his own accord. The door is always left open (and, in fact, if I could remove the door, I would). We have several large comfy dog beds in various rooms of our house, but he prefers his crate.

[TrinaJ]

Thank you both very much, i will definately do a google search on crates!!!

Cheers!

Trina

[Nishasmom]

A crate (kennel) should be big enough for your dog to stand up in and turn around. In my opinion you should not use the crate as a punishment or "time out". Your dog should view his kennel as a positive place, and enjoy staying in it. Using it as a punishment can cause negative feelings towards it. Maybe get a portable fence or playpen (not sure the correct term) for time out, or use a puppy safe bathroom.

Dogs are "den" animals so most feel comfortable in their kennel.

My dog stays in her kennel while she is unsupervised. It is a wonderful training tool. None of our stuff ever gets chewed up, and I never worry about her hurting herself while we are not home!

[TrinaJ]

Thanks Nishasmum. I had the same views about seeing the crate as punishment and the dog hating to go inside, then i read further and found out that when people put their dog in the crate they do so with a bone (or something similar) so that the dog doesn't really associate the crate with punishment.

We are on over an acre of land here and are planning to build a huge run for Jett, incorporating current stables my husband built. The run will be approx 30m in length and about 15m wide and 6ft tall cyclone fences when we are done. At this stage she has our yard and our house, which are fully fenced.

If i do this do you think i will still need to crate her? She will be in her run when we aren't home so that she is safe.

Thanks,

Trina

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by TrinaJ

We are on over an acre of land here and are planning to build a huge run for Jett, incorporating current stables my husband built. The run will be approx 30m in length and about 15m wide and 6ft tall cyclone fences when we are done. At this stage she has our yard and our house, which are fully fenced.

If i do this do you think i will still need to crate her? She will be in her run when we aren't home so that she is safe.

In my opinion, yes.

We have roughly 1-1/2 acres of our backyard fully fenced and all our dogs are still crate trained.

If your dog needs to stay at the vet, she will be confined to a very small kennel. If you need to travel, your reception by hotel/motel personnel will likely be alot warmer if your dog is crate trained. And, if you take your dog to the house of an old person (who's unsteady on his or her feet, as is my DH's mom) you'll find having a crate trained dog a boon.

All these points and more are discussed in the crate training threads so again I encourage you to do a search on "crate training."

[Ayoka]

The greatest value in crate training, in my opinion is that you can transport your dog safely, keep them out of harm's way and they'll always have a home away from home...if your dog ever needs to stay at the vet overnight she will be crated so if you want to make that experience less stressful, she should be used to crates.

[Nishasmom]

I don't think your dog needs to be crated all day; if you have a safe escape free enclosure outside, let him play! My dog would rather be playing outside all day than in her crate (unfortunatly we do not have as safe of an enclosure as you).

At night, or when its yucky outside, I would crate him. (is he an inside dog?) You want him to be used to the crate, look at it as his "bed" or safe spot. As others have suggested there are many times when crate training is very important (vet, vacation, ect.) So having him comfortable in one is a great tool.

[TrinaJ]

Thank you all so much for your valued thoughts and opinions. I have started looking into crates and how to crate train her, hopefully as she is only 15 weeks old she will take to it quickly.

I really understand the need now of crate training, esp if she is at the vets or coming away with us for holidays.

Once again, Thanks!!!!

[OWQ]

Betsy loves crates so much that her favorite outing is to go to PetSmart and try out all the different kinds! I have two crates in my bedroom, one on each side of the bed, that I use as nightstands!!

[alice's mommy]

Arthur is 20 weeks old and has been in a crate since he was at the breeder's. He looooves his crate! Literally, five minutes after he's in there I hear his puppy snores, with his face crammed against the gate (even though there's lots of room for him in there - lol). When he gets too nippy/hyper, even five minutes in his crate returns "soft Arthur" back to me. I love it, as does he. :)

[RottsNScotts]

Your dog should also be in a crate if it travels with you in a vehicle. It is a huge safety concern for both the dog and you if they are riding free.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Nishasmom

I don't think your dog needs to be crated all day; if you have a safe escape free enclosure outside, let him play! My dog would rather be playing outside all day than in her crate (unfortunatly we do not have as safe of an enclosure as you).

At night, or when its yucky outside, I would crate him. (is he an inside dog?) You want him to be used to the crate, look at it as his "bed" or safe spot. As others have suggested there are many times when crate training is very important (vet, vacation, ect.) So having him comfortable in one is a great tool.

I would never leave a dog in a crate all day. Apart from recovery from surgery my dogs have only ever been crated for 2 hours maximum. I don't believe in crating dogs all day because I sure wouldn't want to be confined to a small space all day every day.

The doors of my crates a always open now and the dogs will go in their of their own accord to rest and to eat their bones.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Anne

I would never leave a dog in a crate all day.

My DH and I are active in Rottie rescue. All our fosters (mature males) are crated while we're at work until we know how they are in the house, until we know they aren't chewers, until we know they're housetrained.