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Originally Posted by lickthestar what are you training your dog to do by crating them? and at what point will that training be accomplished? |
We crate trained Marci from the moment she came home with us (at 7 weeks). I had done extensive research to know that the wolf instinct in her required a "den" atmosphere.... so we bought the smallest crate available, lined it with wooly (and washable) fabric, and placed a hooded cat bed in it. Inside the cat bed was a blanket/towel and a stuffed bear (lovingly referred to as Bobo). She's always had 24/7 access to her food and water dishes in and out of the crate.
Marci is now 8.5 yrs old and still goes in her crate when we're not around (during work hours and to sleep). She also chooses to go into her "bed" when she doesn't feel well or when she's just had enough of us (yes, she does have a low tolerance for us being home all the time on the weekends
With crating her, housebreaking was much easier and less stressful on us. With crating her, you never knew that she was on the plane with us (we traveled a lot during her first couple of years) in her bag at our feet. With crating her, she had a place to call her own when she needed to rest or wasn't feeling well. With crating her, vet visits have been less traumatic. With crating her, we never needed to worry what she might get into while we weren't at home.
To each his own--- but crating is not "caging" your animal.... if done correctly (with positive reinforcement), it's peace of mind for you and your animal.
Pam