Crate Training Basics

Crate Training Basics

Types of Crates

• There are two popular types of dog crates, metal wire crates and plastic airline crates.
  • A metal wire crate is easy to fold up and store, has the best ventilation, and allows your dog to see through all sides. However a metal wire crate is easy for some dogs to break out of, or pull items into resulting in injury.
  • Plastic airline crates provide adequate ventilation, are sturdier than most wire crates. K9 180 recommends plastic airline crates over wire crates when possible.
• Aluminum kennels are expensive but extremely sturdy and hold up in almost all conditions.

How Big Does The Crate Need to Be?

• Your dog’s crate needs to be large enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay down in.
• If your dog is going to be crated for long periods we recommend going up one size to allow your dog additional room to stretch out and move around.
• When crate training to help with house training it’s important to remember that if you provide your puppy with too much room they may urinate/defecate on one side of the crate and lay down on the other. Buying and reselling used plastic crates as your puppy grows will help minimize cost until you buy a permanent crate once your puppy is full grown.

Introducing Your Dog to Their Crate

• Toss your dog’s favorite toys or treats in the crate and leave the door open
• Feed your dog their regular food in front of and eventually inside the crate
• Give your dog verbal praise for entering the crate on their own, you can even get down on the floor and pet them while they are inside the crate

Transitioning To Longer Periods in the Crate

• Give your dog a favorite toy just for crate time (make sure it is a safe toy for unsupervised use)
• Try a Kong toy stuffed with canned dog food and then frozen for longer lasting fun. Avoid using peanut butter or other high fat stuffing.
• If your dog does not destroy blankets or dog beds you can place one in your dog’s crate for them to snuggle with and lay on.

If Your Dog Has Trouble Crating

• Talk with your dog trainer and have them help evaluate any crating issues.
• Some dogs like puppies may just need time to adjust so keep crating sessions short and fun while slowly building up the length of time your dog is crated.

Wait several minutes after letting your dog out of their crate before showering them with affection. This will help your dog stay calm when it is time to go back into their crate.

Think of your dog’s crate as their private room and avoid letting other animals, people, or children from bothering them if they go to their crate.

K9 180 always tosses a biscuit in the crate with our dogs when it’s kennel time!

Basic Dog Care

K9 180

Basic Dog Care

Dogs are social animals and need to be an integrated part of their family spending as much time with other members both human and animal in the home. Isolating dogs from daily interaction can lead to numerous and serious behavioral and potential health problems.

1. Nutrition
   1. Access to fresh and clean drinking water. Limiting your dog's water intake will not prevent your dog from urinating in the house and can result in health problems.
   2. Appropriate food that meets the dog's needs.
      1. Dry Kibble that is ideally animal based protein that meets the life stage of your dog (puppy, adult, or all life stages). Check out www.dogfoodadvisor.com and remember a quality dog food is not necessarily the most expensive.
      2. Canned food can be mixed with dry kibble or fed on its own but tends to be more expensive than dry kibble. Again it should meet your dog's life stage.
      3. Home-cooked diets can offer optimal nutrition and quality control however it is very important to have a veterinarian or animal nutritionist ensure that the meals you prepare will meet your dog's needs.
      4. RAW diets can also provide your dog with ideal nutrition but proper handling of raw meat is necessary to avoid illness. Specific guidelines provided by a veterinarian or animal nutritionist is important to avoid serious health problems from incorrect mineral and vitamin imbalances.
2. Shelter
   1. Inside your dog should have a “puppy-proof” safe area where they do not need to be supervised but are protected from the elements and any dangers.
      1. Crating your dog is an easy and safe place for your dog to be while gone. Ensure that your dog's crate is a happy place to be and safe. Do not leave blankets or stuffed toys with a dog that may chew them up and ingest them.
      2. Exercise pens are especially great for puppies, smaller dogs, and even larger dogs that are trained to stay in them.
      3. Dog safe rooms are acceptable but truly need to be dog proof.
   2. Outside your dog needs a secure area where they can not escape and are safe from other animals or people. This makes fully fenced dog safe yards ideal. Include a shelter that provides them a climate controlled environment and protection from weather.
   3. Multiple dogs should not be left alone together. While your dogs may seem great together even we don't always get along with family and friends. You do not want to be gone when the one time your dogs fight over a toy, bone, or something outside the window potentially leading to injury or worse. If you choose to make an exception be honest that you understand not all scenarios can be predicted.
3. Veterinary Care
   1. Vaccinations
      1. DHPP (distemper) vaccine provides protection against canine distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and adenovirus.
         1. Leptospirosis maybe included in this vaccine but is only recommended for at risk dogs. Caution should be given as this vaccine can cause serious reactions in puppies and smaller dogs.
         2. Coronavirus is used in this combination in some areas that are higher risk.
      2. Rabies vaccine is necessary for human and animal health.
      3. Lyme vaccines are available in high risk areas mainly the Northeast.
   2. Parasite Control
      1. Heartworm disease is widespread in the United States and is potentially life threatening. Annual testing is recommended and monthly heartworm prevention necessary to protect against infection.
      2. Intestinal parasites are checked for annual via a microscopic examination of a stool sample. Many heartworm preventatives also provide protection from common intestinal parasites some of which can be a human health hazard.
      3. Flea and tick control is extremely important for your dog's health and comfort. It is very important to only use flea and tick products recommended by your veterinarian or those containing the safest of ingredients. Many over-the-counter products contain ingredients that are potentially dangerous to humans and animals resulting in serious side effects including death.
4. Exercise
   1. Physical exercise includes any activity where the dog is in motion.
      1. Activity level is different for each dog based on age, breed, health status, and individual personality of your dog. Ensure that your dog is fit and healthy before starting vigorous exercise activities.
      2. Types of outdoor exercise
         1. Walking/jogging/running within your dog's fitness level.
         2. Hiking and they even make backpacks your dog can wear and carry their own food, water, and equipment. Add light weights in it for walks around the neighborhood.
         3. Bicycling with your dog can be done by holding your dog's leash or using a dog leash bicycle attachment. Training is needed to ensure your dog's comfort.
         4. Swimming in safe and dog friendly areas. Avoid strong currents.
         5. Agility training, remember not to work your dog on the same equipment every day or just like us they can get injuries.
         6. Fetch with a ball, frisbee, or retrieving dummy.
      3. Indoor dog exercise
         1. Playing fetch up and down the stairs or hallway.
         2. Treadmills are just as beneficial for your dog on days when the weather isn't nice outside as they are for you. Make sure your dog is trained properly and has an appropriate sized treadmill (some human treadmills are not long enough for the strides of medium and larger dogs).
         3. Hide and seek or “find it” games.
         4. Teaching your dog to jump through a hula hoop or over your legs.
         5. Canine body conditioning has many indoor friendly exercises.
         6. Doggie daycare or a play date with a friend or family member's dog. Ensure that they meet first on neutral ground before inviting a new dog into your home or taking your dog to someone else.
         7. Visit a pet store or any store that allows dogs. Never try to pass your dog off as a service animal if they are not a trained and provided a needed service.
   2. Mental Exercise
      1. Training your dog in obedience, tricks, tracking, agility, freestyle, or any areas you can think of challenges your dog mentally helping to keep them happy and balanced. Plus training time helps to build the bond between you and your dog.
      2. Food puzzles are an excellent way to challenge your dog and don't require your immediate attention. Kongs stuffed with dry kibble mixed with some canned food and frozen can provide a great deal of busy work for your dog. This is a great alternative to just feeding your dog the same food over and over out of a bowl.
      3. Socialization with other people, dogs, and animals can be a lot of fun. Make sure that your dog is comfortable in the social situation and enjoying themselves. Don't force your dog to be around unruly or aggressive dogs, people, or other animals. It's your job to keep your dog safe and know when they've had enough.
   3. Toys
      1. Unsupervised toys means they are safe for your dog to play with when you are not there. Ensure you watch your dog with any toy before leaving them alone. Routinely check all chew toys for wear and tear replacing them as needed.
         1. Kong toys, always ensure you get the correct size and strength for your dog. The blue Kongs are recommended as they are the strongest and show up on x-ray.
         2. GoughNuts are very tough and come in different shapes, sizes, and strengths.
         3. West Paw Designs also makes some very tough toys.
         4. Orbee makes balls and bone shaped toys.
         5. Jolly Ball without the handle or rope toy.
         6. Food puzzles such as Kong Wobbler and Buster Cubes should only be left with a dog when you know your dog will not destroy them.
         7. Varsity balls and Best balls are great but extremely hard and can injure dogs that play too long or rough with them. In addition once these types of balls are scratched sharp plastic can stick out and cause injury.
      2. Supervised interactive toys are for you to play and interact with your dog and should never be left alone for your dog to destroy.
         1. Tug toys especially ones used for training dogs for Schutzhund or bite work sports are high quality and won't fall apart as quickly as a rope toy.
         2. Tennis balls for playing fetch should never be left for a dog to chew on as they are easy to destroy and the felt can damage teeth over time.
         3. Frisbees are a lot of fun but should be replaced at the first signs of wear to avoid injury and are not a chew toy.
         4. Retrieving dummies and sticks are a fun alternative to regular fetch toys and many float providing extra fun but are not designed for chewing.
      3. Caution and potential danger is associated with the use of rawhides, nylabones, greenies, dental sticks, some latex toys, stuffed toys, rocks, and sticks can be easily destroyed and or swallowed in large pieces potentially causing choking, upset stomach, diarrhea, lodging in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to illness, injury, and possible death.
5. Socialization and Desensitizing
   1. Socialize your dog with other people, places, animals, dogs, sounds, sights, and smells. The more positive exposure your dog has the more balanced and happier they will be.
   2. Critical socialization period for puppies is between 8-12 or 16 weeks of age (socialization through the first year however is still very important). Without proper socialization irreversible behavior problems can develop.
   3. Desensitizing your dog to specific handling will make grooming and veterinary care easier.
      1. Brushing your dog's teeth will reduce the risk of dental disease which can require expensive dental cleanings from your veterinarian.
      2. Handling your dog's ears is important especially in the event that you need to medicate your dog's ears.
      3. Nail trims require handling of your dog's paws so teaching them shake and getting them comfortable with you holding on to their paws. Don't forget to include the back ones!
      4. Brushes, combs, and clippers maybe needed depending on your dog's coat but getting them excited about seeing grooming equipment from and early age makes things easy.

Are You Ready for a Dog or Puppy?

Check out our video "Are You Ready for a Dog?"

You're considering getting a dog or puppy.  That's great!  We want to discuss what dog ownership is like and help ensure that you are ready for this marvelous journey.  

Here is a checklist to get you started and asking some important questions.

1. Why do you want a dog or puppy?
2. Who will be the primary person responsible for the dog?
3. Is everyone in the family in agreement about getting a dog?
4. Calculate the estimated expenses of owning a dog
1. Annual vaccinations and tests                               $________
2. Monthly flea/tick prevention     $________ x 12 = _______
3. Monthly heartworm prevention $________ x 12 =________
4. Estimate weekly food cost         $________ x 52 = ________
5. Savings in case of illness/injury                             $________
6. TOTAL.................................................................. $________
5. What about handling these basic dog needs?
1. Morning and evening meals
2. Daily exercise and walks
3. Training
4. Socialization
5. Grooming (nail trims, brushing, baths, clipping, cutting, anal glands, ear cleaning)
6. Brushing the dog's teeth vs potential dental cleanings (surgical procedure)
7. Keeping up with basic veterinary care
6. How will the dog spend its time while
1. You're home
2. You're at work
3. On vacation
4. In event of an emergency
7. What type of fencing will you have and secure place to put your dog while gone?
1. Full fenced yard but is it secure enough to keep your dog in and other animals out?
2. Invisible fencing requires a couple weeks of training your dog while on leash
3. Fenced dog run is it escape proof for your dog
4. Tie out or cable run can be dangerous especially when a dog is left unsupervised and it allows other animals and people access to your dog
5. Crating involves proper training and sometimes getting multiple sizes of crates as a puppy grows
6. Will your dog have access to water, stimulating activities, a place to potty, air conditioning when its hot and heat when its cold?
7. Will you hire a dog walker to exercise your dog if you do not have time or take your dog to doggie daycare during the day?
8. Can your dog go with you to work?  Extra training so your dog is well behaved at work?

These are just some conversation starters and ideas to help prepare you for the commitment of owning a dog.  If you're not sure if owning a dog is right for you consider fostering a dog for a local rescue group or shelter.  If you have family or friends with a dog offer to watch their dog for a week or two (even if they're not going on vacation) to see what life is like with a dog.  This will provide you with a temporary trail of what it's like to own a dog.  Make sure that if you decide to foster for a rescue group you are honest about why you're fostering and maybe limit the time you can take a dog in to just a couple weeks.