Crate phobics

This picture is for all those folks out there who think it's mean to crate your dog. Goldie was a very frightened pup when he came to me. The only place he seemed to feel secure was his crate. Dogs are den animals and need that space of their own. Of course he might not want to sleep in there the first night or so. Not any more than some toddlers want to sleep in their own beds at first. But it's necessary for routines and for the happiness of the dog when he's new to your home. Seriously. You wouldn't feed your child only candy just because he cries for it all the time, would you?

This is a pic of Goldie I took just a little while ago. That crate door is always open unless I'm gone or sleeping (don't want him to get my little rattie when I'm not looking!) If he's not playing, his favorite place to take a nap is in the crate. What's nuttier, I've tried to put big ol' soft blankies in there, but he pulls them out. I don't know if they are too hot or he just doesn't like them taking up space (more room for toys I guess.) The only thing he'll leave in the crate are his toys (a must!) and a sheet. Half the time he pulls that out. So the point to all this is when you get a dog, get him a crate when he's new to your home! Both you and he will be much happier in the end! You just may find, when you can't find your dog, he's in his crate taking a nap. (remember, the one you didn't want to use because it seems so mean:-) Pass this along to any other crate phobics that you know of. It might just help:-)