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Dog Crates: Perfect For Training, Especially In Small Apartments
Nothing can create more guilt in a dog owner than the thought of having to crate a puppy. Although crates do have an institutional look, they are not jails. Crates serve a number of purposes. They act as a training tool; a designated time-out room; a safe, familiar spot where your pup feels secure; and also as a tool for housebreaking.
Crating also allows you to protect your puppy from any dangers in the environment, and it is often crucial if you rent an apartment in the city. Many landlords are not dog friendly, but you will find them much more amenable if you assure them you are using a crate. A crate is truly indispensable. Hopefully, after reading this, you will feel better about crating your puppy.
Crate Differences
There are different types of crates you can choose. Wired crates are the most popular. They create better visibility for the dog and the owner, though the down side is that at times it can be over-stimulating for your puppy, since she can see outside of the crate and may want to get out.
A cargo crate made of durable plastic is a good crate to use for air travel and great for the home since the tops are removable. Removing the top is helpful if your puppy feels too claustrophobic inside.
The collapsible nylon tent crate is also great for traveling. They are lightweight, easy to store and can be used when spending a night at other people's homes or in hotels. We don't recommend this type of crate for puppies or dogs who are not being supervised. They are not as reliable as the other crates because they can be chewed through quite easily and your puppy can escape. The purpose of a crate is to give you peace of mind that your puppy is kept environmentally safe.
Where To Place The Crate
Decide where you want to place the crate in your home. The best place, of course, is in your bedroom. If your puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and cries because she needs to go out, you'll hear her a lot faster. If the crate is in another room, you may not hear her cries and she may relieve herself in the crate.
In many city apartments, the bedrooms are small and a crate may not fit inside. If that is the case, then place the crate in the room closest to the bedroom. You can also be creative and treat the crate as a piece of furniture. Place a board on top of the crate and you will have a handy surface for placing books or other household items.
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