How To Crate Train Your Dog(s)

On our last blogs we talked about why a person may want to use a dog crate and how to select the proper one.  With this blog, I would like to follow up on the last two a bit by offering some advice on how to train your dog or dogs with a dog crate.  I have done my best here to break down some steps to use when training.  Keep in mind that some dogs may take longer than others to train and the important thing is to keep with it and be patient.  Just like people, dogs will learn at different paces.

The first thing you want to do is find the right location for the crate.  You want to place the crate in your home where you and your family spend most of your time.  Then place a blanket or towel in the crate.  Take the door off or raise it so that the dog can enter and leave at will.  Allow the dog to explore the crate.  Most dogs are curious and will begin to explore the crate on their own.  However, if they do not then you can encourage it by bringing the dog over to the crate and try to get them to enter the crate.  You can usually use small treats to coax them into the crate.  Do not force the dog to enter.  Again, just be patient and use the treats to entice them into the crate.  This sometimes can take several minutes or even days with some dogs. Please be patient with them!

After you have introduced your dog to the crate, the next step is to start feeding your dog his regular meals near the crate or in the crate if they are comfortable with entering the crate at this point.  When the dog is comfortable with entering the crate to eat his or her meal then close the door while they are eating and then re-open the door once they are done eating.  After the first time doing this with the door closed, you will start to add time to how long the door is closed for until you have left him or her in the crate for up to ten or fifteen minutes following their meal.  If your dog begins to whine then it may be too long of a period being closed in too soon and you may have to decrease the amount of time closed in for the next time.  However, you cannot let them out while they are whining.  Wait until they have stopped or they will think that they are going to be let out every time they whine.

Once your dog has become accustomed to eating his or her meals in the crate and a short stay following their meals, then you can start to lengthen the time they are in the crate.  You will start to close the dog in the crate for short periods while you are at home.  You will get the dog to the crate and give them a command such as "crate" while pointing to the crate.  Once the dog enters the crate then you will praise them and give them a small treat and close the door.  Stay close to the crate for the first several minutes and then spend the next several minutes out of the dogs sight in another room.  Once the dog become accustomed to this for at least thirty minutes at a time then you can start to leave the dog for short periods or allow them to sleep in the crate at night.  Again, be patient, this is not going to happen overnight and it can take several days to several weeks to get to this point.

After your dog has gotten to the point where you can leave them for thirty minutes at a time, then you can begin to leave them longer.  You still go through your normal crating routine by giving them the command to enter the crate, praising them when they enter  the crate, and giving them a small treat.  You can leave your dog crated from anywhere from five to twenty minutes before leaving.  You should vary this some so they do not become anxious with the routine.  Do not over excite the dog when you return either as this too can create anxiety.  At this point, you still want to crate the dog for short periods while you are at home so they do not relate the crate to being left home alone.

So, this is dog crating 101.  This is just a brief overview of dog training with a crate.  I do suggest that if you do not have the patience or are having some difficulty with crate training your dog or dogs that you contact someone that can help you professionally.  As I have stated in the past, dog crates, are a great training tool.  But, as with any great training tool, you need to work at training your dog properly in order to get the full benefit from it.

As I stated in the last blogs, at baddogsupplies.com, we do carry a wide selection of dog crates, kennels, and carriers.  So, check us out for your dog crate needs.  Let us know if there is any way we can make your selection easier.

How to Select the Proper Dog Crate for Your Dog(s)

Our last blog talked about the purpose of dog crates.  This time I would like to help you in making sure you are selecting the proper crate for your dog or dogs.  

Probably the most important thing when selecting a dog crate is to make sure that you select the proper size for your dog or dogs.  You want to select a dog crate that is going to give the dog enough room to stand and turn around in a circle comfortably.  You do not want to buy a crate that is too large because that just gives the dog incentive to use one end as their restroom and the other as their sleeping quarters, lol.  As a general rule, they say that you should measure your dog from tip of nose to tip of tail and from top of head to the ground and then give them another twelve inches in each measurement.  In other words, another six inches longer front and back for the length and another six inches top and bottom for the height.  

There are a lot of different types of dog crates out there.  Even the crates themselves can come in different strengths.  Light crates are good for puppies that you will be training from the beginning in a crate and are made of a lighter gage wire.  Medium crates are good for puppies being trained from the start as well as dogs that may not be puppies but have a mild temperament.  The gage is a bit thicker on these cages.  The heavy duty crates are best for adult dogs that have never been crate trained and for dogs that are much more active or aggressive.  They will contain a larger quantity heavier duty gage wire with closer spacing between the wires.  

Another option you can look into are collapsible wire cages.  Cages will come in a form that are built to stay as is in its stand up form whereas others will come with pins that will allow the cage to flatten out.  The second form is best if you will need to bring the cage with you often or will be moving it around often.  

Still other cages are a bit eclectic and come with wood finishes if you wish to help blend the cage into an existing furniture genre in your home.

It is hard to believe that there are so many possibilities when it comes to dog crates.  However, the most important thing to look for is the proper size.  After selecting the proper size you can find other options that are pleasing to you.  

I hope that I have helped you in beginning your search for a dog crate.  At baddogsupplies.com we do carry a wide range of dog crates in different sizes and appearances.  So, come check out our selection and if we don't have what you are looking for then please tell us about it so we can look into it for you.

What is the Purpose of Dog Crate Training?

First off, what are dog crates?  Dog crates are basically a safe haven for your dog and a very good training tool for puppies or young dogs.  Some people even believe that dogs are den dwelling animals and that providing them with a crate is like providing them a substitute for a den.

When used properly, dog crates are an effective tool to begin teaching puppies bladder and bowel control and the limits to what they can or more often, cannot, chew on or chew up in your home.  Crates are effective in teaching bladder and bowel control because puppies typically do not like to soil their resting or sleeping areas so when used properly and given an opportunity to use the bathroom elsewhere, you are in effect training them bladder and bowel control. 

Another great benefit to utilize crate training is to get dogs used to smaller places in the event they have to be crated while visiting their vet or car and plane rides.  Dogs who are crated in their owners vehicles have a better chace of surviving an auto accident.  Also, dogs are less likely to get into something that could be lethal to them if they are crated while at home alone. 

Some people are concerned that crating their dogs is cruel punishment to them.  If you train your dog as you should then it is not cruel at all.  If used properly, you are creating a safe, quiet, cozy place that he or she can call her own.  In many instances dogs will even prefer to go to their crates for resting time well after the training time has ended.

I just wanted to touch on one more source that people can use when it comes to training their dogs.  I hope that this blog and future blogs are helpful.  If there is a question or concern or comment regarding any blogs please feel free to let me know.

At baddogsupplies.com, we carry a wide range of dog crates.  As always, if we do not have what you need or want please send us an email at http://www.baddogsupplies.com/contact_us.html and we will do our very best at finding exactly what your needs are. 

What are Citronella Spray Collars?

As you probably know by now, there are numerous different types of training collars out on the market.  The Citronella Spray Collar is just one of the many that are available for training.  A Citronella spray collar is a training collar that emits a burst of spray when the dog barks.  So, this is a training collar for nuisance barking.  The collar is sound sensitive and will release the burst when the dog begins to bark.  This has been shown to reduce unwanted barking in dogs up to 88%.  The spray itself is harmless and does come in unscented. 

The collars are very effective anti-bark collars and are great especially if you are afraid to use shock collars for training.  This just gives you another alternative to deter barking in dogs.  But, please do keep in mind that dogs are meant to bark so this should be used only to deter nuisance barking as needed. 

At baddogsupplies.com we do carry several versions of this type of collar.  Look around and if you cannot find what you need or what you are looking for then please send us an email so we can help.

Happy New Year!

I know it is so cliche but where does the time go?  I got so caught up in everything that is Christmas that I have not been on here in a few weeks.  I am sorry.  I am going to start back to my normal routine this week and get back at it again.  I don't know as though anyone really missed my blogs anyhow, lol, but I am hoping to change that with the new year.  For the new year, I plan to continue to update you on new dog products, assist with training you on how to use certain dog products, and anything else that seems to come up concerning dogs and dog products.  Here is looking forward to what I hope is a fun, prosperous, and just very blessed new year!  From all of us at baddogsupplies.com, we wish you a happy new year!

Heated Water Hoses For All!

Just under two weeks to go before Christmas.  I cannot believe it.  It does not seem much like Christmas here with our temperatures in the upper 70's and lower 80's but none the less, it will be here shortly and there is nothing I can do to stop it, lol.  Now, on the other hand, if you live in the north or north west regions I am sure that you are feeling like it is time  for Christmas.  With that being said I thought I would remind everyone of a great product.

The product that I am referring to is the heated water hose.  As I already stated, I live in a state where we don't have to worry that often about freezing temperatures.  But, I did grow up in the cold and I can remember my father winterizing by disconnecting the hoses and making sure that the faucets were drained and covered so that nothing would freeze up.  That worked OK for us but what if you really need that outside hose hooked up?  Some people have outside animals or animal pens they need to keep up with even through the winter months.  That is where the heated water hoses come in.  These hoses are so convenient to use.  The hoses come in 20, 40, or 60 ft lengths.  You simply plug the hose in and it keeps the hose from freezing. If you need the hose everyday then you can leave the hose plugged in constantly and there is a sensor that will automatically shut the heater off in warmer weather.  If you need the hose frequently but not everyday then maybe you want to just have the hose handy and then you just need to plug it in twenty minutes before you are ready to use it.  These hoses are not meant to heat your water, only to keep the hose itself from freezing.

So, if you have outside water buckets that you need to fill everyday for your outside animals such as horses, this is a great piece of equipment.  No more hauling buckets of water from the barn to outside water bins.  If you live in one of those climates that has already seen snow or is going to see snow in the very near future, now is the time to start thinking about making your life easier this winter.

Tis the season.  So, think of yourself too and order something that will make your life a little easier this winter.  As always, at baddogsupplies.com, we are here to help with all of your dog product needs.  Just let us know what you are looking for and I am sure we can help you find it.  Happy Holidays!

Warming Pet Beds and Crate Pads

It's Official, just over two weeks before Christmas!  I am so excited and so stressed out at the same time!  There is just so much to do before the big day gets here and then it is over just like that!  So I want to try and help you all out and remind everyone to remember their four legged friends this Christmas.  If you yourself have dogs or just have a friend or loved one who has dogs, you are going to want to get something special for them too.

A great product for someone who has dogs are the pet bed warmers, the warmer bed, and heating pads.  Not only is it the time of season for celebration, but it is also the time of the season for cold weather.  You don't want to let your furry friend get cold!  There are different products for your needs but you can just get the pet bed warmers or the heated pad to go with an existing pet bed.  But, another option is the heated pet bed with the warmer already built in.  The heated pet bed can even be used for outside.  These heaters are great like I said to help keep your pets warm this cool holiday season.  However, for dogs that are arthritic these pet warmers or beds can be used year round if needed to make your pet a little more comfortable from their arthritic aches and pains.

So, like I said, think of your dogs this holiday season.  At badddogsupplies.com we carry each of the products discussed above and we currently have them on sale for the holidays.  You still have time.  Go now and order your pet bed warmers or bed and still have it in time for Fido for Christmas!  As always, we are a family run business and we aim to please.  If you have any questions or concerns then please let us know so we can help in any way possible.  Happy shopping!