Silver Silky

Health Care

Is crate training important to the dog’s health?
 
First there is the safety issue. A lonely puppy looks for entertainment and that can be chewing electrical wires, children’s toys, the drapes or furniture or anything small that is dropped on the floor. A crated puppy cannot reach these forbidden objects. A puppy in a home with children needs a safe and quiet retreat from overly affectionate children. The children should understand that when he goes into his house he is saying, “I’m tired and need to rest” and they should leave him alone.
A crate can insure adequate rest. A puppy is still fragile and too much exercise can harm his young muscles and bones. A Silky Terrier puppy can have adequate exercise inside the house or brief supervised play-time outside in a restricted area. Silky Terriers are fast and one can be in the street in the blink of an eye so lead training is also important.

Even adults can be fed in the crate. This is to keep one pet from eating the other’s food and the same theory would apply in a dog-cat household. An obese dog is unhealthy, as is one eating cat food on a regular basis. Even in a one animal home, the crate should be used for feeding frequently. This will keep them from going off from their food when traveling. Remember to keep fresh water down. Always take bottled water when you travel. A change in water can cause diarrhea and this won’t occur with bottled water.

Every dog has his day and some of those are sick days. Here is where his crate is his comfort zone. It also means no accidents on the rug, if it is that kind of illness.

Two of the biggest safety factors making it advisable to use a crate are ones some pet owners never think of. A crated dog in an automobile has a much better chance of surviving an accident and a zero chance of causing one. He will also be welcome at hotels and in homes you visit if he is crated.

The dog that is crated when the family is away or during the night can be quickly picked up and moved away from danger in the event of a house fire, tornado or other tragic event. You don’t have to know where to find him if he is always in the same location and that room should have a pet locator symbol on the window nearest his crate. You should also let neighbors know where he will be, just as you would want them to know where to find your child in event of a fire.

These are just some of the ways that the crated dog has a better chance for a healthy, happy and safe life. As adults the crate door can be left open and you will find that this is still a favorite retreat for naps or to escape the crowd. (Needless to say, no dog wants to be crated 24-7.) It is obvious to any owner of a crate-trained dog that he does not feel it is his prison if the crate is used properly. Now if we can only convince reluctant owners to understand that!