Choosing the Right Dog Crate By Kelly Marshall

When it comes to crate training a dog, it is very important to make sure that you are getting the right kind of crate. It is also vital to the success of the training that you make sure that the size of the crate is correct as well. When you take the time to make sure that you are shopping for the correct dog crate, you will save yourself a lot of time and frustration over the next several months of training. While at first, crate training may seem like an odd thing to do, it is in fact a very natural thing for the animal.

Safety

It is important to make sure that you are looking for dog crates that do not have rough or sharp edges that the dog can hurt itself on. There are a lot of injuries to dogs every year due to improper crates being used. It is important to make sure that all pieces of metal wire, if a metal crate is used, are smooth or rounded. It is also important to make sure that the crate comes with a removable tray or some way to easily access the inside of the crate. This is so that you will be able to clean the crate properly on a regular basis.

Size

If you are starting to crate train a puppy that is going to grow into a larger sized dog, refrain from purchasing a large crate that the dog will grow into. A crate that is too large for the current size of the dog will defeat the purpose of crate training. You will need to purchase a dog crate that is tall enough for the dog to stand and to turn around in a circle comfortably. Any larger and you will find that your dog will use one side as the bathroom and the other side as its living quarters.

Selecting a dog crate that is too small is inhumane so make sure that you are being a care judge of size when purchasing your dog crate. For those starting this training with puppies, this will mean that you will have to buy a few different crates over the next several months but the payoff is worth it. You should not worry about the expense as these crates can easily be sold to others as people are always looking for quality dog crates.

Set Up

Now that you have your dog crate home it is time to set it up. Make sure that you are placing it against a wall or in a corner somewhere. Cover all exposed sides, expect for the entrance side, with a light sheet or something or that nature. Dogs are den animals by nature and the enclosed structure gives them a feeling of security. Once everything is set up and in place you can be gin your crate training. As you begin to see the positive results you will know that all of the hard work that was put into buying the right crate was worth it.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=373362&ca=Pets

Choosing the Right Dog For a Child By Kelly Marshall

Many people feel that a dog is a great pet for a child and they are right. A dog will be a friend, a companion, and a great way to learn some responsibility. But first, you want to make sure that your child is the right age for a dog or you are pretty much just looking at a dog for yourself. A lot of people feel that five or six years old are a fine age to give a dog to a child. As long as the parent is able to do the training then this would be fine as children that age can easily find enjoyment in their furry friends and even learn a little bit about what chores and care taking are about.

If you are not up for training the dog yourself but still want your young child to have a dog then make sure that you are choosing one that is a little older then a pup and is already housebroken. This way, there will only be a small adjustment period and the dog will feel and act as though it is right at home. Make sure that you are being careful though when selecting your dog.

While it is okay to want to have the children in on the process of picking the right dog for him or her, you really have to have a few restrictions. Not all breeds are suitable for children. Some are okay with all ages, some with no child no matter what the age is, and others are fine with older children but just not younger ones. Make sure that you are taking some time to research the various breeds so that you are not allowing your child to pick one that would be the absolute worst choice. The last thing you want to do is to give your child a dog that will end up biting or wanting nothing to do with your child.

Select a breed that likes children and loves interaction. A social breed and one that loves to run around is best so that it can keep up with your child. If you are finding that you are a little confused, start reading dog books, magazines on dogs, and search the Internet high and low for all of the breed information you can get your hands on. This may take a little bit of time so it is probably a good idea to begin the research before you even mention to your child about getting a new dog. Otherwise, you will be hounded everyday with questions about when the dog is coming home.

It may also be a good idea to pick a breed that is going to be a suitable size for the child. A rough and tough boy may not have as much fun with a toy breed as he would something larger. And a little girl may enjoy a small toy dog better then a large breed. Just look over your options and think not only about what would be best for your child right now, but what would be suitable for the next ten to fifteen years.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=373360&ca=Pets