Dog Crates and Kennels
Dogs are, by nature, den animals. For the domesticated dog, dog crates are the perfect den. Most dogs owners own a crate. The question most often asked is "What size crate should I get?'. It sounds pretty basic but it should be large enough for your dog to sleep in comfortably. He should be able to stand up and turn around and stretch out. You don't want to get it too big because chances are you'll be using your dog crate for housebreaking your pup, and as we've discussed elsewhere, dogs generally won't go where they are confined. If he can move around in the dog crate too much, he may be able to relieve himself in there and still stay away from the mess. Of course you don't want to get your dog crate too small because that's just plain uncomfortable. If you have a growing puppy, it's decision time. Obviously getting a dog crate that's too large is not the best option, but buying a new crate for every stage of growth doesn't sound so good either. It gets expensive. This might be a good time to look into a dog crate with a divider that allows you to adjust the space available. In addition to housebreaking, a dog crate has a number of uses. It's protection from children that may be getting over excited. Throw a blanket over the crate and your kids will understand it's time for your pet's "quiet time". It can also serve to house your puppy when you're away. This way he won't be getting into things he shouldn't. And yes, much like sending your kids to their room when they misbehave, you can send your pet to his dog crate for a short period (but only after he's used to it). He'll know your upset, but it's a place he's comfortable with and he'll have a chance to calm down. This one can be touchy, don't overuse or misuse the dog crate when training. You'll soon find your pet going to his crate on his own whenever he wants to relax. It becomes his room and he'll love it. And as an aside, we always recommend using some form of bedding or blankets in the crate and putting some of his favorite toys in there as well. We are proud to partner with PETCO Animal Supplies to bring you some of the finest dog crates available. The ones we've selected are for typical Miniature Pinscher size dogs. But if you need a larger or smaller size, click on the buy link of the one you like and you'll be able to get it in different sizes.
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