Dog Cages – Do You Need One?
Have you seen the huge assortment of dog cages on the market lately? Goodness, your pup doesn’t have to hang out in any plain, boring cage anymore. They have designer dog cages that will easily blend with any décor. Short on space? Get a collapsible, portable one. Want your dog to be really comfortable? Get a soft one. The possibilities are nearly endless.
Why are dog cages important?
No matter what the dog cage you choose looks like, the important thing is to crate train your puppy as early as possible. A dog needs to have a place of his own. A spot to go that he feels completely safe and secure in. If you so choose, you may have your dog go there at night when it’s time for bed. Some dog owners have their pets go to their cage when they leave the house. I’m not saying that all dog owners are appropriate in their uses of the crate, but that will be addressed in another post.
What size dog crate should I get?
This is very important. You want to make sure that your dog is comfortable. The general rule is that it should be at least 4 inches longer than your dog is when he’s lying down and it should also be at least 4 inches taller than your dog is when standing. Dog cages can be quite costly, so if you’re on a budget and can only afford to buy one crate, then make sure than you anticipate exactly how large your cute, tiny puppy will eventually become. Of course, it will be much too large at the beginning. To solve this problem, use a piece of cardboard as a divider to temporarily make it smaller.
Remember:
1. Never use the crate as a means of punishment for your dog’s bad behavior. This is your dog’s safe haven, not his torture chamber.
2. Always take your dog out to relieve himself immediately after letting him out of the dog cage. You can’t be upset about an accident when it’s only because you got ‘sidetracked’.
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