About The "Crate"

About The "Crate"
The "crate", or inside kennel, is a new and strange idea to some people, especially if they are new to Siberians. Often, to those familiar with only the traditional backyard pets and farmyard dogs, it seems to represent an unkindness. The purpose of what follows is to explain how a crate is used as a constructive and indispensable piece of equipment to make life easier, happier, and safer for your dog.

Why is the crate now in common usage among pet owners? Basically, it is because the needs for the safety of the dog are changing with the continuing societal change toward the more complex. It is no longer acceptable or humane to allow pets to roam freely throughout our neighborhoods with fast moving automobiles, gangs, and frankly, just "strange" people. Even in semi-rural and rural areas, people are generally more sensitive about the nuisance created by improperly controlled pets, and with the increasing problems facing the safety of these seemingly "homeless" canines. The crate is simply a very versatile means by which knowledgeable and responsible owners can keep their dogs safely and comfortably controlled in an otherwise less than safe or controlled larger environment. It is a short-term substitute for the freedom of the house, back yard or kennel.

Ask a breeder or professional handler of dogs what he thinks of a crate. Watch any Siberian which is accustomed to his crate and enjoys its privacy and restfulness. The crate has always reminded me of a "fort", like the kind we made as children out of card tables, chairs, and blankets, where we felt as if we had created our "own mini-home" with its safety, seclusion and personal identity. The crate, properly used, becomes a place where our Siberian, like a child, can curl up by himself, in complete safety - in the house, in the car, at the dog show, or wherever circumstances may dictate that he is not the center of attention at the moment. The crate is his personal and very private safe haven with his own personalized smells and markings.

Needless to say, no dog would enjoy "living in a crate", although show dogs may enjoy their lives "on the road" in their crates much as do owners and handlers enjoy theirs in their vehicles, often times spending long periods in them, with, of course, well-observed and regular intervals for exercise and "rest" breaks. For the pet dog, the crate should be used only for a few hours at a time. Examples: When he is left home alone in the house from a few minutes to 2 hours, and for some reason it is preferred to not put him outside; when visitors are going in and out and perhaps leaving doors and gates ajar; or when visitors arrive who do not necessarily enjoy your dog's attentions, but yet you do not wish to banish him from the house. From the safety of his crate he can he can happily hear and watch all that is going on around him, be close to his people, yet be protected from potential, unknown hazards. He cannot help himself to something from the kitchen, absentmindedly chew on an electric cord, or unroll all the Charmin', and yet his owner has the peace of mind knowing that he is both safe and comfortable.

It goes without saying that a dog in a crate travels in utmost safety. Dogs have survived, unscathed, from the most serious of automobile accidents due to the protection provided them by their crates. Car seats for infants and children, seat belts for adults, and crates for dogs - such simple protective precaution!

For the Siberian, a crate of about 36" x 26" x 20" is adequate; the Kennel-Aire model #152 is excellent, portable, collapsible, and durable yet lightweight. They are attractive and last forever. Airlines sell (but no longer rent) travel kennels of molded fiberglass which are also lightweight and versatile, and the #400 is just the right size for the Siberian, so if you expect to travel by air with your dog, you would do well to purchase this style airlines crate from the outset and use it at home as well, but it does not offer the visual opportunities or the convenient collapsibility which the Kennel-Aire affords. Many pet stores now also carry this same fiberglass type and call it the Vari-Kennel.

Training a puppy or dog to accept his crate is much like leash training him, and requires only common sense, patience, and consistency. Some dogs accept crates readily, especially if they are given something to chew on. Even those which object at first will soon catch on, curl up, and go to sleep - yes, even on an airplane! Just remember, don't reward a dog's objections by talking to him or opening the door to the crate; instead, just walk away, letting him know that this new experience is nothing to get upset about. If you take the attitude that "poor little puppy" has to stay in his crate, he will know it instantly and take full advantage of your weakness. Return after a short time at first, praise him profusely, let him out, praising him and fussing over him all the while. Use common sense, and only crate him when you are absolutely certain that he is not in need of relieving himself, and preferably when he is ready to rest and sleep anyway. You can feed him in his crate, but remember that after eating, he needs immediate access to water, and that after eating and drinking he will need to relieve himself. If you wish to put something soft on the bottom of his crate to make it more "comfy", watch carefully to see that it is not chewed or eaten - this can be very dangerous! He may take his "chew sock" or other play toy in with him, but again remember to take all care that it isn't a danger to him. A carpet sample is often good to put on the bottom, as it soft, will absorb his scent, and is easily vacuumed and cleaned. It is crucial in crate training that you not leave an animal crated for long periods of time; he will need water, and an opportunity to relieve himself. If an animal "messes" is his crate, it is YOUR fault and not the dog's, and he should never be punished for soiling his crate; remember that it is YOUR fault for not checking on him often enough.

With several Siberians in our house most of the time, our crates get a lot of use. To make a crate a special place, I frequently feed the dogs while in their crates, or give them a biscuit or bone while closing the door. That way, whenever there is a knock at the door, or I must run an errand, the verbal, "Get in your crate" brings them all pushing past each other to get into their respective crates first! Dogs have been known, especially Siberians, to push past each other into partially assembled, collapsible crates which are brought into the house for the first time. The denning instinct in Siberians is very strong and, combined with the territorial drive, proudly says "This one is MINE!"

If you still have reservations about using a crate for your pet, please take into account the fact that the only puppy from ARTYK kennels ever lost would still be at home had the owners accepted the use of the crate as part of their routine. Instead, they left him unsupervised in a fenced yard for only two hours, and a small hole in this fence told the story when they returned home. They meant to be kind to him, but that wasn't the way it worked out. Kindness isn't always what it seems! Certainly when the crate is seen through the dog's eyes, as I see it, it is a most kind and convenient way to simplify life, and to provide the best possible care for any people-loving, comfort-loving dog like the Siberian.

Fredric R. Cornell, M.I.S.
ARTYK Siberians