What is short-term confinement?

It means crating your dog. A crate is a terrific training and management tool. It is useful for house-training, brief alone time, settling, and any form of travel. Most importantly, a crate teaches your dog to hold it when he has to go to the bathroom. A crate helps your dog in many waysu2014and saves your carpets.

Is using a crate cruel?

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When do I use it?

Use the crate for short absences. General guidelines for crating puppies:

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8-10 weeksu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 up to 1 hour

11-12 weeksu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 up to 2 hours

13-16 weeksu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 up to 3 hours

Over 4 monthsu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 up to 4 hours

Getting your dog used to the crate.

Step 1. Begin crate training right awayu2014preferably the first day your dog is in your home.

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Step 2. Throw small tasty treats into the crate one at a time. Praise your dog when he goes in to get the treat.

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Step 3. When your dog is comfortable going into the crate, practice closing the door for 1-2 seconds, then treat him through the door. Let him back out. Repeat this step many times, gradually building to 10 seconds.

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Step 4. Stuff a Kong with something very yummy or use a special bone that will take a lot of time to chew. Put the chewies in the crate. Shut the door. Move about the house normally. Let your dog back out after 5 minutes or when he finishes his treat. Donu2019t make a fuss over him. Repeat this step several times, varying the length of your absences from 1 to 20 minutes.

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Step 5. Next, leave your dog in the crate with something delicious while you leave the house for short errands, like getting the mail or watering the garden. Gradually build your absences.

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