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"All About Pitbulls"
All About Pitbulls: Page 9
of 28
Benefits of using a crate with your Pit Bull
A dog crate is a useful and popular piece of training equipment that
you can use for your Pit Bull. You can use it either as a dog bed or
a training tool. Although some dog owners, especially novice dog
owners, think that the idea of putting their dog in a crate is cruel
and ruthless, using a crate is in fact a great way to provide security
for your Pit Bull puppy, especially during his first few days in your
new home. Placing your puppy inside a crate in an open area of your
house allows him to investigate his new environment without having to
run into potential danger.
Think of the crate as the dog equivalent of a baby's crib. It is a
great place for him to take naps and breaks. It is also an ideal
place for you to leave your Pit Bull puppy without having to worry
about him getting hurt. Never think of a crate as a place for
punishment or a storage box for your puppy when you are done playing
with him. He should be able to associate the crate as a place of
comfort and security, not as any form of negativity.
If you are thinking about getting a crate to leave your puppy in
everyday for a long period of time, or if you are thinking about
putting him in a crate while you are at work, then you might as well
think twice about getting a dog. Locking an intelligent and active
creature in a crate for a long period of time, especially without any
means for him to relieve himself, is a very cruel practice. In
addition, confining your puppy, particularly an active and sociable
Pit Bull puppy, to a crate can lead to serious behavioral problems.
When using a crate for your puppy, place it in an area where he will
not feel secluded from the rest of the family. Placing him inside the
crate on a soft sheet when he starts to fall asleep is a great way
for him to associate the place as his sleeping quarters. Putting his
favorite toy or a chew bone inside will make him feel more comfortable
and 'at-home' as well.
Most crates come in either the wire form or one of several plastic
varieties. Wire crates, particularly the suitcase models, provide a
better view and ventilation for your dog. Wire crates are easy to
fold up and pack away for transportation or storage. One known
drawback of choosing a wire crate is that they can be drafty and do
not offer the comfort and coziness that plastic crates provide.
Whatever type of crate you decide to get for your Pit Bull, make sure
that it is large enough for him to stand up in but not too big for him
to walk around in, or he will be inclined to use it as a bathroom.
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