![]() ![]() ![]() Here's an example of how our attitude toward the crate can impact our dogs: Words like casa, home, or house carry a much more positive association in our minds than the words crate, kennel, or cage. His point was that words matter to help us humans stay in the right frame of mind, we should call the crate something more positive. To give us humans a better perception of the crate, a dog trainer I once studied under insisted we call it a “casa” instead. Our view of the crate can also impact how our dog feels about it. It is a proactive, human-guided endeavor. Dogs have to be taught that the crate is their safe space to relax and chill. If you set it up and she doesn't want to go in, don’t make the mistake of assuming it’s a no-go. The main difference is that this isn't something the dogs will intuitively understand (as kids will) you'll have to teach each dog that their crate is their own space meant for relaxation. If you grew up with siblings, you know what I mean! I (Nikki) grew up in a busy, crowded household and my room was my sanctuary. I encourage you to see the crate as their own room, their own private space where no one will bother them and they don't have to worry about anything. ![]() Many humans struggle with it and that causes many of our dogs to struggle with it too (not always some dogs struggle just fine on their own!). If you struggle with the idea of crating your dogs, you are not alone. To preserve the respectful relationship between you and your dog and to keep your dog out of trouble and to preserve the good behavior you’ve worked so hard to build, CRATE YOUR DOG! It can only help. So many of our dogs’ behavioral problems stem from confusion about who is the decision maker, and too much freedom to make their own decisions is a major contributing factor. This is not only unreasonable but unfair. By giving your dog freedom in the house when you leave, you’re handing over all the decision-making responsibilities, then you expect your dog to hand them back when you get home. It also confuses the relationship between dog and owner, and who exactly is the decision-maker here. But that’s confusing-he’s been in the habit of doing his Cujo performance all day, every day.ĭo you see where I’m going with this? Freedom in the house-even if your dog can “handle it”-opens the door for confusion about which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. (If you aren’t there to say no and you’ve failed to prevent it, then you’ve allowed it!)Īll day long your dog explodes like Cujo anytime a delivery person or solicitor knocks on the door, but you expect him to be quiet and mannerly when the neighbors or Grandma knocks. He’s confused, and why wouldn’t he be? He’s allowed to sleep on the couch all day long. Your dog has been asleep on the couch half the day, and you come home and scold him for being on the couch. but why would he? He’s had the freedom to rummage at will all day long! Now you come home and expect him to stay out of your laundry basket, the trash can, the kids’ toys, etc. Your dog has been free all day to wander throughout the house and peruse items at will. Then you come home and you expect your dog to listen to you, but why would he? He’s been king of the castle all day long!Īll day long he’s been doing window surveillance and barking at the first sign of movement you come home and expect him to knock it off, but why would he? He’s been at it all day long! Then you take him on a walk and expect him not to bark at dogs when they walk by, but why wouldn’t he? He’s been practicing barking at dogs all day long. When a dog is loose in the house all day, he’s making all his own decisions. Still not convinced? Let’s look at this from a different angle: Preserves your role as decision-maker and your dog’s role as follower Helps develop a calmer state of mind overall Helps your dog learn to relax and know what to do with himself when you’re not there Gives your dog a safe space that is all his own (his own room, so to speak) Removes the opportunity for behavioral issues like nuisance barking, pacing, hyper-alertness/reactivity at the windows, etc. Prevents destruction to your home including peeing/pooping in the house ![]()
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