Dog health and grooming go hand in hand.

To Crate or Not to Crate

    My first dog during my college days was a German Sheppard and Collie mix. He rode in my small Pontiac Astre, slept by my bed and generally had free run of the house. This was the story for most of my dogs. I didn't even consider putting a dog into a crate until I began grooming. It just never entered my mind.
   After grooming for a time I realized that some dogs really like to be in a kennel. Some dogs even get protective of their kennels. We had just gotten a new puppy and it was time to test the theory.
   The first night, puppy was put to bed with a clock, blanket and toy. It was a long night. The puppy cried, howled, cried some more. But I didn't give in. I had heard that the first night is the hardest. If you can make it through the first night it will get easier. That was my montra that night and the following night...."If you can make it through the first night"....
   Well the crying and howling did eventually end on the second night at about 3AM. And from that day on the puppy got more and more attached to his kennel. The puppy grew into a 40 pound dog and still he managed to cram his large frame into that small kennel.
   I have two new additions to my family and they are both crate trained. My older puppy loved his crate from day one. My younger puppy has to be bribed into his crate. Each day he gets a little better and less reluctant to check my hands for treats, prior to putting one paw into the crate.
    Here are some of the benefits to crate training that I have found.

Most dogs will not go to the bathroom where they sleep. This sometimes aids in house training your dog.
Your puppy will not be left un-supervised in your home where all kinds of things can happen. I have lost linoleum, house trim and more to the dog who is wide awake while I am fast asleep.
In a vehicle, your dog and the occupants of your vehicle are safe from the wild Golden Retriever who thinks he can drive.
When your dog gets accustom to the crate they feel safe inside. Many times it will give your dog a place to go when he wants a little quite time. My older puppy uses his paw to open the door when it is not latched to get inside and away from my four year old who's favorite thing is to walk him inside the house on "adventures".

Tips for crate training.

Make sure to take your puppy out to relieve himself prior to putting him in his kennel.
Put the clock on top of the crate to prevent the puppy from chewing it.
Make sure the toy you put in with him is safe. Be mindful of choking hazards and loud squeaking toys.
Don't give in. No matter how pathetic they sound, stand your ground. Any contact you make with them will only set you back. If you go to them and tell them "no barking" you will create a barking monster. Make sure to locate the crate as far from your bedroom as possible.
To encourage them to go into the crate willingly, give them a treat and tell them to "kennel up" or whatever you prefer. Do this each and every time.
Never use the crate as a punishment tool.
As soon as you get up in the morning, let them outside to go to the bathroom.