HOW TO CRATE TRAIN

 

A crate can be an invaluable aid in housetraining. Most dogs will try not to soil their den area and consider the crate their den. Crates are not to be used to confine a dog for his lifetime. They are simply a safe place for a young or adolescent dog to stay until he is housebroken. If you use it correctly your puppy will consider it a room of his own. It is a safe, secure, comfortable place for your puppy to stay when he can’t be supervised.

 

There are many types of crates available, some plastic, some metal, some fabric. As there are many different crates there are as many different opinions on how to train your dog to use his crate. Where do you put the crate, do you use bedding or not, should he have toys or food once inside, etc. While a small puppy doesn’t need a large crate you may want to buy one that he can use as an adult too. You can block the back end of the crate with cardboard or a box to keep it cozy and to keep it from being so large he won’t soil inside it. Get the crate that works the best for you and your dog. In a motel the new fabric crates are easy to carry in and set up. For an active young terrier they may not be the best choice for a crate if this is the only one you will use. They can tip over, are easier to tear, and more fun to chew.

 

Riding in the car in a crate is the safest spot for your dog. Getting him used to being  in the crate can make taking car trips a lot more fun for you all.

 

 

B MATCH REPORT

 

July saw us not only celebrating summer with our annual potluck but the annual B Match as well. Both were held at the home of Bob and Myrna Flavell in Northridge. The judging was done by Cecily Skinner this year and while there were not many entrants they were all entrancing. This year’s Best in Match was: Viviana and Ron Hetherington’s Aisling U Two Can Be Like Me, “Indy”, and Best Opposite was Ann Leigh’s Starlight Master Of The Game, “Jesse.”