There are many advantages to using a crate:
• Crates are a valuable tool to help house train puppies and adult dogs.
• It's an area for your dog to take refuge if the household becomes too hectic or if small children and others frustrate him.
• It can be used to help prevent dogs and puppies from having opportunities to be destructive or disrupt family members at inappropriate times.
• Crate-trained dogs travel more conveniently.
• Crates can provide safety for your dog when travelling to unfamiliar locations. Crate-trained dogs may have an easier time if they need to stay in a kennel, since kennels will sometimes allow you to bring your own crate to house your dog.
• What type and size of crate do I need?
The type of crate you should buy depends on how you plan to use it. Will you be travelling with your pet often? If so, consider fold and carry crates, which are convenient for transport and storage. Consider a corner pin crate if you intend to assemble and leave the crate in one consistent area of your home.
The size of the crate you should purchase depends on the size of your dog. Your dog is physically comfortable when the crate is tall enough for your dog to stand up to his full height without having to duck his head, wide enough to allow your dog to lie on his side and stretch out, long enough for him to lie down stretched to his full body length without having to curl up. Puppy owners usually purchase crates according to the estimated adult size of the breed. To avoid keeping your puppy in a space that is too large, you can use divider panels.
• What is the difference between Zinc and Epoxy coating?
Zinc coating is a bright silver or gold finish on the crate. Epoxy is a finish which is available in black and designer colours, not just silver or gold. Both types of coating are durable and attractive.
• How easy is it to assemble a crate?
Very easy! These crates require no tools for assembly. Fold and carry crates, panels are connected and set up within seconds.
• How do I clean the crate if my dog has an accident?
Do not use a cleaner with ammonia. Urine has ammonia in it and that smell encourages your puppy to come back to the same spot within the crate. Use a cleaner which neutralizes the odour and cleans the area at the same time. Baking soda and vinegar some suggestions. Make sure you use a cleaner with a biologically safe reaction.
• What room should I put the crate in?
One of the main reasons for using a crate is to confine a dog without making the dog feel isolated or banished. As a result the crate should be placed in a corner, near a "people" area in the home. Make sure the area is free from cold drafts or direct heat. Your dog should be able to have privacy, yet feel as though he has company when people are home.
• How long can my pet stay in the crate?
Don't leave your very young puppy in his home all day. At six weeks, a puppy can hold his bladder about four hours. By eight weeks, five hours. By 12 weeks, six hours and by 5-6 months a puppy should be able to hold his bladder for an eight-hour work day.
• Should I put my dog in the crate when he's naughty?
Never use the crate to punish your dog. Your dog's home should be his secure place; it should not be associated with punishment, fear or anything negative.
• Can a crate help housebreak my dog?
Yes! Since dogs will not usually eliminate where they eat and sleep, a crate can help train the dog to soil when let outdoors.
• What are the advantages of wire crates?
Wire crates allow your dog to see more of his surroundings, offering good visibility in all directions Wire crates also allows more air circulation, which may be an advantage in hot or humid climates and can typically be folded flat or easily disassembled for carrying or storing. Wire crates can be easily cleaned.
• What types of toys should I put inside the crate?
Toys can help make the crate a more familiar area for your dog if you are just beginning to crate train. Use safe toys only, nothing the dog or puppy can tear apart and choke on while you're not there. Rawhide chews are not good for unsupervised dogs. Squeaky toys need to be monitored, because the squeakers can be removed and swallowed and may cause the puppy to choke.
• Is it safe to crate my dog with his leash on?
Never crate a dog with a choke collar on or leash attached, it is possible he might choke himself to death.