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Does your Southeast Denver dog have a crate? If not, you may want to consider getting one for your pooch. There are many benefits to crate training your dog. Even if you don’t use the crate all the time, you may need it when travelling. Your dog may also be crated at a groomer’s, boarding kennel, or vet’s. This will be much less stressful for your pooch if he is already accustomed to being in a crate. Many dogs actually enjoy being in their crates, and think of them as their little homes.

Overnight Crating

Many dog owners leave their pup’s crate doors open, and let their pooches go in and out at will. Others prefer to crate their dogs overnight. A dog being crated overnight will be more comfortable than a dog being crated during the day, because Fido’s metabolism slows down when he sleeps, so he can go longer without having to go outside. If you leave your pup’s crate open, try tossing a few treats in at bedtime. After a few weeks of this, your furry pal will learn that this means it’s time to go to sleep.

Making the Crate Comfy

We recommend putting a doggy bed in your pup’s crate, or using pillows and blankets to make it comfy for your furry buddy. Keep a few toys in your canine friend’s crate as well. You can also drape a blanket over the crate, which will make it more private. This will help Fido think of his crate as a cozy little den for him to relax in.

Crate Placement

Keeping your crate in a busy area of the house will keep your pooch from feeling isolated. You don’t want your furry pal to associate the crate with being lonely. If you crate your dog at night, keep the crate in the bedroom where you sleep, so Fido still feels he is part of the family’s routine.

Dogs should not be crated for more than 4 or 5 hours during the day. If your dog is going to be crated for over two hours, make sure he has fresh water in his crate. Fido’s crate should be large enough for him to turn around in, and stretch out if he wants. When buying a crate for a puppy, buy one that is a bit larger than what you estimate he will need for space when he is full-grown, so you won’t have to get a larger one later.

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