A much under utilised resource!
DOG CRATES:
Dogs are by nature den-loving animals. They feel most secure when they are enclosed in a "den" - owners can now take advantage of this fact and "crate train" their puppy to their and the dogs advantage.
Their instincts in the wild are to find a small confined, protected area to sleep in. If they cannot find a natural den they will create one by digging a hole in the ground just large enough to turn around in. Our pregnant bitches demonstrate this urge dramatically in the last few weeks of pregnancy as we find them vigorously digging, trying to create a den for the litter - the deeper and darker the better.
If you observe adult dogs in a home they frequently choose to sleep under a table, desk or chair that is against a wall. The dog perceives that this is "a protected area".
The most common misconception about a dog crate is that it is a cruel form of cageing a pet. If done correctly this statement is false, and in fact, a dog will actually find a crate to be a secure and safe santuary in the same manner as a wolf enjoys the comfort of a den for resting and eating.
Many owners are apprehensive and under a misconception about a dog crate as they see the typical wire crate as a "cage" and emotionally feel they are imprisoning their canine companion. However there is nothing cruel about using a crate correctly.
You should think of a crate as a doggy den (safe place) within your home.
In our home crate doors are left open day and night and we frequently find our dogs sleeping in their crate by choice. If you stop to think about this, it is because the crate is a familiar territory associated with pleasant smells and space that the dog is familiar with.
TYPES OF CRATES:
Many different materials are used to construct crates for dogs. The best material depends on the ultimate intended use. The classic crate that you are familiar with is a crate designed for safe air transport of dogs. The requirements for these crates are defined by the IATA (International Airline Association) and the airline concerned.
Our preference is the standard rigid plastic Vari Kennel/Sky Kennel manufactured by Petmate and available from A Pets Life .co.za
The rule of thumb for sizing any dog to a crate is the dog must be able to stand up completely, turn around unhindered and sit upright without his head touching the top of the crate.
An average size adult Beagle requires a crate 32"x22.5"x24" (+- 81x57x60cm) - weight 6.9kg. If you cannot remember the measurements when shopping for a crate usually the manufacturer lists the appropriate crate as suitable for a Beagle.
Collapsible fabric crates are available and are great for using in the car as they are lightweight and quick to set up - however they are not suitable for a dog that gets anxious or a puppy who could easily chew their way out of the crate.
WHY USE A CRATE:
We at VANROS BEAGLES recommend to all our new puppy owners that they continue with the groundwork done and crate train their puppy.
A dog crate is an effective house training tool when used correctly. House soiling is a spatial problem and short term confinement in a crate is the solution.
CAUTION!!! To confine a dog that is not housetrained to a crate for long periods of time is courting disaster. If the dog is forced to soil in its sleeping area the crate will no longer be effective in inhibiting elimination, and can therefore not be used as a tool in housetraining.
CHEW-TOY TRAINING:
When the owner is home confine your puppy to his crate as much as possible with a variety of interesting chew-toys (e.g. Kong filled with cream cheese or peanut butter, Buster ball or smoked sinews etc - i.e. toys specifically made for chewing). This is called passive training - i.e. you are training your puppy to associate the inside of the crate with good things, thus self positive reinforcement takes place.
As the dog becomes hooked on its chew-toy habit, regular chew-toy sessions soon comprise an integral part of the dog's daily activities.
REMEMBER to let him out and take him outside to relieve himself on a regular basis.
Misuse = Abuse: Crate training problems usually arise when the owners fail to teach the puppy dog to like going into the crate, and leave an untrained dog confined for too long!
Whether an adult dog likes its crate depends on when the crate was initially introduced to the dog and how this was done. If the dog was introduced to the crate (preferably already by the breeder) in the correct way it will prefer resting in its doggy den as an adult. You can test this by leaving the crate door open.
Where should the crate be located?
The crate should be placed in an area that is easy to supervise. The crate should NOT be placed in an isolated area away from the family. Remember the puppy needs to be observed and supervised during the first stages of crate training.
Since dogs are highly social animals the crate should be in an area of the house where the family spends most of their time. The principal reasons to crate train are to aid in housetraining and to prevent damage of household furnishings when the puppy must be left alone. Secondary benefits are safety when travelling and confinement in new environments. It is also wonderful to have a safe place for your puppy whilst entertaining or family meals.
At night, the bedroom is an ideal place for a crate so that the dog can feel the security of being near the owner and be under supervision. It is important to keep the crate close while the puppy is being housetrained - the puppy will become restless and cry when he needs to relieve himself. Remember a puppy can only hold his bladder through the night once he is four and a half to five months old and must therefore be taken out to relieve himself at regular set intervals.
CRATE TRAINING (WHY WE DO IT):
We at Vanros Beagles feel so strongly about crate training and its advantages that we begin at around 4 weeks to introduce the pups to a crate in a natural, positive way.
When allowed free roaming in the exercise area it is often found that more than one pup decides to go into the open crate provided and fall asleep cuddled on top of each other (see photo in Gallery).
When the pups are moved from the sleep area to their play area they are placed two or three in a crate, door closed and carried either outside or to their indoor play pen. This is done twice a day - 7 days a week.
Our pups are placed in crates and taken for car rides to familiarise them to the movement of a car in motion. We have found that this practically eliminates car motion sickness later on.
Once you get your puppy you should immediately continue with the foundation work done by your breeder. It is a good idea to purchase your crate before your puppy comes home.
Your puppy has been housetrained on grass and that is what he will look for when he needs to relieve himself. He will not relieve himself inside the crate but will become restless, cry or whine to tell you he needs to "go".
Remember you first need to get your puppy to get used to the crate - NEVER FORCE A PUPPY INTO THE CRATE (should you purchase a puppy from Vanros Beagles the groundwork would have already been done).
Always keep the association between puppy and crate as a positive one by using rewards of high value such as cooked lean chicken breast, bits of liver strip etc. Initially you should always be with the puppy when crated....it may take time for the puppy to become comfortable in their crate.
The trick to stopping your puppy from whining is short training periods!
Once you get to the point where the puppy takes his naps in his crate you can introduce a word for the puppy to asssociate with the crate. We use the words "go to your crate". When the puppy enters the crate with the use of the words as an instruction he is rewarded with a tasty treat .
You can now begin to close the door. Start with 10 - 15 minutes and gradually work up to an hour - always staying in the vicinity of the crate.
Once the puppy accepts being in the crate with the door closed (he does not fret) begin to leave the room for short periods, gradually lengthening your absence. Always listen for restlessness associated with a full bladder or bowel.
REMEMBER THAT YOUNG PUPPIES HAVE LIMITED BOWL AND BLADDER CONTROL UNTIL THEY ARE 4 - 5 MONTHS OLD.
When you release the puppy from the crate pick him up and immediately take him out to the place where you want him to relieve himself. Give him PLENTY of praise when he performs the tast (positive reinforcement). A small tasty treat would also be in order.
SOME ADVANTAGES OF CRATE TRAINING:
The puppy housetraining process is made easier. With due diligence on your part, the puppy soon learns he will be let out and taken outside to eliminate when he needs to.
Chew-toy training is facilitated. He is taught to chew on the toys provided and not on your furniture, shoes etc. This is key to establishing good habits and prevents dangerous and destructive behaviour which can be difficult to rectify later.
When he is in his crate he is safe from a number of dangerous household items i.e. electric cords, ingesting poison or swallowing foreign objects.
Proper use of a crate can help reduce the chance of your puppy developing "separation anxiety". The crate becomes a place where your puppy is calm, out of trouble and accustomed to being alone. He knows you will come back and let him out.
Please remember you should never, ever leave a puppy in a crate for long periods.
The crate is a perfect place to keep your puppy safe for short periods of time i.e. whilst on the phone he can sit in his crate and chew on his favourite chew-toy.
Because crates are lightweight you can move the puppy around the house with you.
Car transport becomes safe and easy when you take your puppy along in his crate - it is the responsible thing to do.
Also it prevents dog hairs from being deposited on the car seats....bonus!
Some important DO NOT rules apply to crates:
A great owner needs to start their puppy off right with an effective housetraining, socialization and obedience training program that starts the very first moment the pup comes home.
DOG CRATES:
Dogs are by nature den-loving animals. They feel most secure when they are enclosed in a "den" - owners can now take advantage of this fact and "crate train" their puppy to their and the dogs advantage.
Their instincts in the wild are to find a small confined, protected area to sleep in. If they cannot find a natural den they will create one by digging a hole in the ground just large enough to turn around in. Our pregnant bitches demonstrate this urge dramatically in the last few weeks of pregnancy as we find them vigorously digging, trying to create a den for the litter - the deeper and darker the better.
If you observe adult dogs in a home they frequently choose to sleep under a table, desk or chair that is against a wall. The dog perceives that this is "a protected area".
The most common misconception about a dog crate is that it is a cruel form of cageing a pet. If done correctly this statement is false, and in fact, a dog will actually find a crate to be a secure and safe santuary in the same manner as a wolf enjoys the comfort of a den for resting and eating.
Many owners are apprehensive and under a misconception about a dog crate as they see the typical wire crate as a "cage" and emotionally feel they are imprisoning their canine companion. However there is nothing cruel about using a crate correctly.
You should think of a crate as a doggy den (safe place) within your home.
In our home crate doors are left open day and night and we frequently find our dogs sleeping in their crate by choice. If you stop to think about this, it is because the crate is a familiar territory associated with pleasant smells and space that the dog is familiar with.
TYPES OF CRATES:
Many different materials are used to construct crates for dogs. The best material depends on the ultimate intended use. The classic crate that you are familiar with is a crate designed for safe air transport of dogs. The requirements for these crates are defined by the IATA (International Airline Association) and the airline concerned.
Our preference is the standard rigid plastic Vari Kennel/Sky Kennel manufactured by Petmate and available from A Pets Life .co.za
The rule of thumb for sizing any dog to a crate is the dog must be able to stand up completely, turn around unhindered and sit upright without his head touching the top of the crate.
An average size adult Beagle requires a crate 32"x22.5"x24" (+- 81x57x60cm) - weight 6.9kg. If you cannot remember the measurements when shopping for a crate usually the manufacturer lists the appropriate crate as suitable for a Beagle.
Collapsible fabric crates are available and are great for using in the car as they are lightweight and quick to set up - however they are not suitable for a dog that gets anxious or a puppy who could easily chew their way out of the crate.
WHY USE A CRATE:
We at VANROS BEAGLES recommend to all our new puppy owners that they continue with the groundwork done and crate train their puppy.
A dog crate is an effective house training tool when used correctly. House soiling is a spatial problem and short term confinement in a crate is the solution.
CAUTION!!! To confine a dog that is not housetrained to a crate for long periods of time is courting disaster. If the dog is forced to soil in its sleeping area the crate will no longer be effective in inhibiting elimination, and can therefore not be used as a tool in housetraining.
CHEW-TOY TRAINING:
When the owner is home confine your puppy to his crate as much as possible with a variety of interesting chew-toys (e.g. Kong filled with cream cheese or peanut butter, Buster ball or smoked sinews etc - i.e. toys specifically made for chewing). This is called passive training - i.e. you are training your puppy to associate the inside of the crate with good things, thus self positive reinforcement takes place.
As the dog becomes hooked on its chew-toy habit, regular chew-toy sessions soon comprise an integral part of the dog's daily activities.
REMEMBER to let him out and take him outside to relieve himself on a regular basis.
Misuse = Abuse: Crate training problems usually arise when the owners fail to teach the puppy dog to like going into the crate, and leave an untrained dog confined for too long!
Whether an adult dog likes its crate depends on when the crate was initially introduced to the dog and how this was done. If the dog was introduced to the crate (preferably already by the breeder) in the correct way it will prefer resting in its doggy den as an adult. You can test this by leaving the crate door open.
Where should the crate be located?
The crate should be placed in an area that is easy to supervise. The crate should NOT be placed in an isolated area away from the family. Remember the puppy needs to be observed and supervised during the first stages of crate training.
Since dogs are highly social animals the crate should be in an area of the house where the family spends most of their time. The principal reasons to crate train are to aid in housetraining and to prevent damage of household furnishings when the puppy must be left alone. Secondary benefits are safety when travelling and confinement in new environments. It is also wonderful to have a safe place for your puppy whilst entertaining or family meals.
At night, the bedroom is an ideal place for a crate so that the dog can feel the security of being near the owner and be under supervision. It is important to keep the crate close while the puppy is being housetrained - the puppy will become restless and cry when he needs to relieve himself. Remember a puppy can only hold his bladder through the night once he is four and a half to five months old and must therefore be taken out to relieve himself at regular set intervals.
CRATE TRAINING (WHY WE DO IT):
We at Vanros Beagles feel so strongly about crate training and its advantages that we begin at around 4 weeks to introduce the pups to a crate in a natural, positive way.
When allowed free roaming in the exercise area it is often found that more than one pup decides to go into the open crate provided and fall asleep cuddled on top of each other (see photo in Gallery).
When the pups are moved from the sleep area to their play area they are placed two or three in a crate, door closed and carried either outside or to their indoor play pen. This is done twice a day - 7 days a week.
Our pups are placed in crates and taken for car rides to familiarise them to the movement of a car in motion. We have found that this practically eliminates car motion sickness later on.
Once you get your puppy you should immediately continue with the foundation work done by your breeder. It is a good idea to purchase your crate before your puppy comes home.
Your puppy has been housetrained on grass and that is what he will look for when he needs to relieve himself. He will not relieve himself inside the crate but will become restless, cry or whine to tell you he needs to "go".
Remember you first need to get your puppy to get used to the crate - NEVER FORCE A PUPPY INTO THE CRATE (should you purchase a puppy from Vanros Beagles the groundwork would have already been done).
Always keep the association between puppy and crate as a positive one by using rewards of high value such as cooked lean chicken breast, bits of liver strip etc. Initially you should always be with the puppy when crated....it may take time for the puppy to become comfortable in their crate.
The trick to stopping your puppy from whining is short training periods!
Once you get to the point where the puppy takes his naps in his crate you can introduce a word for the puppy to asssociate with the crate. We use the words "go to your crate". When the puppy enters the crate with the use of the words as an instruction he is rewarded with a tasty treat .
You can now begin to close the door. Start with 10 - 15 minutes and gradually work up to an hour - always staying in the vicinity of the crate.
Once the puppy accepts being in the crate with the door closed (he does not fret) begin to leave the room for short periods, gradually lengthening your absence. Always listen for restlessness associated with a full bladder or bowel.
REMEMBER THAT YOUNG PUPPIES HAVE LIMITED BOWL AND BLADDER CONTROL UNTIL THEY ARE 4 - 5 MONTHS OLD.
When you release the puppy from the crate pick him up and immediately take him out to the place where you want him to relieve himself. Give him PLENTY of praise when he performs the tast (positive reinforcement). A small tasty treat would also be in order.
SOME ADVANTAGES OF CRATE TRAINING:
The puppy housetraining process is made easier. With due diligence on your part, the puppy soon learns he will be let out and taken outside to eliminate when he needs to.
Chew-toy training is facilitated. He is taught to chew on the toys provided and not on your furniture, shoes etc. This is key to establishing good habits and prevents dangerous and destructive behaviour which can be difficult to rectify later.
When he is in his crate he is safe from a number of dangerous household items i.e. electric cords, ingesting poison or swallowing foreign objects.
Proper use of a crate can help reduce the chance of your puppy developing "separation anxiety". The crate becomes a place where your puppy is calm, out of trouble and accustomed to being alone. He knows you will come back and let him out.
Please remember you should never, ever leave a puppy in a crate for long periods.
The crate is a perfect place to keep your puppy safe for short periods of time i.e. whilst on the phone he can sit in his crate and chew on his favourite chew-toy.
Because crates are lightweight you can move the puppy around the house with you.
Car transport becomes safe and easy when you take your puppy along in his crate - it is the responsible thing to do.
Also it prevents dog hairs from being deposited on the car seats....bonus!
Some important DO NOT rules apply to crates:
- Never leave a dog in a crate with a choke chain on (it can catch on the wire and choke the dog).
- Never use a crate to punish a dog.
- Never release a dog from the crate whilst he is barking or whining, as he will associate barking/whining with the door being opened.
- Never let children play in the dog's crate. It is his safe place.
- NEVER LEAVE A DOG IN HIS CRATE IN THE CAR - not even for short periods!
A great owner needs to start their puppy off right with an effective housetraining, socialization and obedience training program that starts the very first moment the pup comes home.