DOGGIE DOG BLOG

Written by: M. M. Williams

Posted by David Harris

As another person approaches me with the words of, “I don’t use a crate for my dog because I think it is cruel,” I ponder a way to help them understand the crate better. A small child runs around my waste trying to fidget with the leash, and the light bulb in my head turns on.

When your child was small did you put them in a crib to sleep at night? Why? The reason was to keep them safe while you were sleeping. When small do you not keep them in a playpen, a safe confined area with appropriate toys, and out of reach of harms way? Why would you look any differently at the safety of your four legged child than that of your child who crawls on fours when small.  Both are for safety and training.

The crate is actually very far from being cruel; Quite the contrary. It is to provide a safe place for your pup to sleep. It provides a place for him to play safely while you are tending to other business, chores, etc with appropriate toys. It is a tool to help in the aid of potty training, and keep your dog from chewing up your three thousand dollar couch, those legs of the cherry chairs handed down by your grandparents, or family photo album on the coffee table filled with priceless images. Pups, like children, don’t understand until they are taught what is appropriate for them to play with, what area’s are safe, or what may not fit down their throat without becoming caught or might upset their delicate tummy’s. It is our responsibility to teach our canines, and care for them just as we would for our own children.

As their knowledge increases, they learn the rules of the home with correct behaviors, freedom is extended, and if you so choose, you wont need to use that crate as much or at all. A word of warning though—you may keep it out anyway. Even though they show a dislike in the beginning, dogs come too actually like the crate. They may have a tendency to go in when the door is left open to enjoy an afternoon nap in the confinements of a space that feels comfortable to them and they feel is all theirs; A space that they need not have to share with anyone.

Marie Williams is a free lance writer.  You can view more of her work at: www.freewebs.com/williamsmm/

David Harris