Plastic crates are perfect for air travel.
Veterinarians understand that dogs, young puppies especially, benefit from structure and consistency. A dog crate provide some structure as well as security. A well-ventilated, clean dog crate, cage or kennel can assist in house-training, transportation, and recovery from some health conditions. A crate can help comfort an anxious pooch.
Size and Duration Matter
Size is one of the most important considerations you'll weigh when yo choose a dog crate. The crate should be large enough for your buddy to comfortably stand and turn around, but not so large that he can jump around. Aside from proper size, veterinarians stress the importance of making sure a trained adult dog does not spend more than eight hours a day inside his crate without a break. Longer periods of time can lead to urinary tract problems, constipation, dehydration and behavioral issues. During training, you'll leave the dog in the crate for briefer periods. Weaned pups need potty breaks every other hour at first.
Sense of Security
A comfortable crate can mimic a den. In the wild, canines retreat to a den to sleep and feel secure. Veterinarians suggest a man-made, wire crate can mimic this protective area for dogs who may have separation anxiety or feel unsafe, just make sure to place the crate in an area inhabited by the household, where your buddy can be part of the family. Introduced to crates properly, most dogs quickly view their crates as their safe zones. They will willingly climb inside during thunderstorms or when tired. Vets stress it's important to never use the crate as a punishment measure; doing so may confuse the dog and disrupt the crate training process.
Puppyhood
Crates greatly aid in house-training. Puppies under 6 months old generally have difficulty holding their urine for more than a couple of hours and will often just urinate wherever and whenever the urge occurs. When dogs are young, though, is when you'll most easily be able to integrate dog crates into housebreaking measures, as dogs do not like to soil their dens and will learn to hold it for a period of time. Dogs who are comfortable with their crates will not object to being crated when you leave the home -- they might head for their crates when they hear your keys jingle -- which reduces risk of accident and eliminates your home becoming one big chew toy.
Transportation
Crates are necessary for dogs traveling by airplane and for smaller dogs traveling in automobiles. Veterinarians recommend padded, soft crates for car travel, fastened to back seats with seat belts or other restraining devices. These same soft crates are best for cabin travel on airplanes; sturdy plastic and metal crates are required for dogs flying as cargo.
After Surgery
A small dog enclosure is crucial after many surgeries and illnesses. When veterinarians recommend a period of rest, a crate that limits the dog to standing and turning around can be a lifesaver. The type of surgery and your individual pet's needs will determine the period of time, but as a general rule most dogs need to rest for at least 24 hours after surgery. This period of crate rest allows him to sleep off wooziness from the anesthesia. Sometimes veterinarians recommend longer periods of crate rest after surgery or during recuperation from certain medical conditions. This is especially true with many orthopedic injuries and after worming when infestation was bad. Always follow your veterinarian's instructions, and consult him immediately if your pet seems extremely uncomfortable or in a significant amount of pain.
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