Friday, February 25, 2011

Crate Training


Crate Training

Utilizing a crate for your dog can be very positive for both you and the dog. Dogs are den animals and if the crate is properly introduced and use appropriately, dogs see it as a safe, secure relaxing space of their very own. Do you not like the idea of a crate? Not surprising… YOU are not a den animal.

The key to crate training, for any age of dog, is to make the crate a happy place to be. Never use the crate for punishment and never force a dog into a crate.

Crates are a part of life… staying at the vet for any length of time? Your dog is in a crate. Going to the groomer? Your dog is in a crate. Thinking of sending your dog to day care? Your dog needs to rest in a crate for naptime. Being transported in the car? (Hopefully) Your dog is in a crate. You can see, even if YOU do not want to utilize a crate for sleeping at home, crate training your dog essential to keeping them safe and happy. Knowing crates are a part of life, why cause your dog any unnecessary stress by not being crate trained?

For a puppy, crate training should start at 4 weeks of age. Your breeder or rescue group should place multiple small crates in the whelping area. Pups will naturally gravitate to the crates for comfort. As they do, and grow it will be naturally more comfortable for the pups to seek a crate out individually. This allows one to crate train with minimal effort. As the pups age, one will position crates farther and farther apart (eventually in separate rooms by 9 weeks of age), so by the time the pup is going to your new home they are already accustomed to sleeping alone in a crate at night.

If you are crate training your pup or dog for the first time begin with a crate that fits them comfortably. Your dog should be able to walk into the crate with out ducking his head. He should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably in the crate. For puppies, we suggest a Life Stages Crate (available at PetStop). These crates have barriers you can use to make a larger crate smaller for your puppy. (We don’t want the crate too big for puppy or they may eliminate in the crate and sleep at the other end)

Set the crate up in a quiet but not far from family activity. Open the crate door and secure it to prevent it from closing suddenly on your dog. Now go a bout your day… let pup explore the crate on his own. Toss treats in every so often; once pup is happy to go in begin to feed your pup in the crate. Play games with the crate by tossing a new toy in the crate. Never force your pup into the crate and don’t use the crate for punishment.

Once puppy is eating in the crate (door is still open all the time) at one feeding, put a few kibbles in the crate and when he walks in gently close the door. Immediately praise him and give him more kibble (thru the door/grate), do this for 5 minutes. The rewards all happen INSIDE the crate with door closed. Begin to extend the time he is in the crate, and begin to walk out of site of the crate. Go slow, never pushing puppy to far too fast. Be sure the rewards happen in the crate not when the puppy leaves the crate. Puppy is learning its much more fun to be in that outside the crate.

Graduate to a high value chew like a pizzle or peanut butter stuffed Kong or other interactive food stuffed toy.

As puppy feels more confident and secure you can begin to extend his time in the crate.

Other Tips:
Your pup can sleep all night in the crate but only up to 4 hrs during waking hours before needing an active break of at least 60 minutes.

Make sure pup is well exercised and has fully eliminated before going into crate.

Don’t get excited and praise your pup as the exit or after they come out of the crate.

Never allow a pup to leave a crate if they are fussing, whining or barking. If they are, realize YOU went too far too fast and you need to take more time. But you’ll have to wait for pup to be quiet before letting them out.

Be sure to practice crate time when you are home and doing normal activity, not just when you leave.

A comfortable bed inside the crate is essential.

Good Luck. A crate trained dog is a happy dog

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Furbaby Rescue

As many of you know, I volunteer with Furbaby Rescue. They rescue, foster and place small breed dogs. We donate day care, training classes, temperament evaluations and foster dogs (usually Chihuahuas) for them. We love FBR and are so thankful Eleni; the executive director is there!

Like most small rescues the adoption fees for a dog are considerably higher than they would be at a shelter. Last night, after getting an email requesting information about one of the puppies we have at Furbaby, I got a nasty email from someone accusing FBR of only caring about money, since the adoption fee is so high (in this case it was $400.00)

Shelters often have a veterinarian on staff, that plus city funding, grants, donations etc allows them to be able to reduce the price of their adoption fees. Both local shelters and FBR spay and neuter, vaccinate for DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies, do full medical exams, worming and microchip. FBR also does dental cleaning if its warranted as well as any other medical care (x-rays, blood work etc) FBR pay for a dogs medical care, just like you or I would going to a local veterinarian. Yes, many vets give a discount (Thank you Kulshan Vet, Maplewood Vet and Northshore Vet) but its usually between 10 and 15%, very much appreciated YES! But the total bill is still very high. Adoption fees NEVER cover all the cost of a rescue dog. At Furbaby Rescue we have had dogs whose medical care end up in the thousands… and we simply have to try to fund raise or cover the costs ourselves. FBR receives no city funding or grants. 100% of our monies comes form adoptions and donations. I have never known a year volunteering for FBR in which their out of pocket costs have ever been less than $15,000.00.

When thinking of adopting we hope you look at all shelters and rescue groups when choosing your next family member. Understanding adoption fees helps all two and four legged participants!

Check out Miss Sissy. A beautiful, 10yr old Long Haired Chihuahua looking for her forever home. Her medical care (spay, vaccines, microchip, dental tooth extractions, blood work, knee x-rays) have far exceeded $600.00 but her adoption fee is $200.00 due to her age. If you want to help with a donation to Furbaby Rescue, please contact Tails-A-Wagging.