Dalmatian Care
It is very important that you provide just the right
home to your Dalmatian. Dogs have carried over from
their ancient ancestors the instinct to use a den for
comfort and security. If you can harness this instinct
you will not only add a wonderful tool to teach manners
in the home, but will also give your dog a place to
go when feeling stressed or tired.
The majority of new pet owners misinterpret the purpose
of a dog crate. In fact, a crate really is a wonderful
tool when used correctly. It is not used to punish a
puppy. Crate training can be fun for the puppy if you
make it a positive experience. The basic idea behind
crate training dogs is that whenever you aren't able
to supervise your dog or aren't home, the dog goes in
the crate.
When you have a new puppy or dog, you will use a crate
to limit his admission to the entire house until he
learns all the house rules. A crate is also a secure
way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as
an opportunity to take him places where it may not be
appropriate for him to run without restraint. Another
surprising advantage: dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms
or fireworks, often find refuge in their familiar crate/den.
Also very important, the crate needs to be in a place
where your dog will not feel as if he is part of the
family and not isolated. You can locate the crate in
the kitchen/dining room, usually the most occupied area
of the house.
Make sure it doesn't become the equivalent of a prison
for your dog! Giving the pup special "treats" is a perfect
way to introduce him to his crate. The only time the
puppy receives these special treats is when he is in
the crate; so the treats become associated with the
crate. Remember though, repetition is essential. Your
puppy will not understand what you want unless you repeatedly
show him exactly what is required of him.
If a dog is correctly trained to love his den, his instinct
will be to keep it clean. This is the foremost reason
why a crate works in potty training. An attractive crate
makes for a welcoming den - a comfy blanket, tasty treats,
and a favorite toy help to make the pup comfortable.
Remember though, crate is not a magical solution. If
not used correctly, a dog will feel trapped and frustrated.
As an example, if your dog is crated all day while you're
at work and then crated again all night, he's definitely
spending far too much time in much too small a space.
Also remember that puppies under six months of age should
never stay in a crate for more than three or four hours
at a stretch. They can't control their functions for
longer periods.
You need to be certain the crate is the correct size
for the pup/dog. If it is too big, the pup may try to
use part of it as a bathroom and this is something you
definitely need to avoid. The crate needs to be big
enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably.
Crates may be plastic (often referred to as flight kennels)
or collapsible, metal pens.
But, the crates that are most preferred are the wooden
ones with removable side panels, which are ideal for
cold weather where the panels in place to keep out drafts
and in hot weather where the panels are removed to allow
better air circulation. You can buy flat pads for the
bottom of crates to keep your dog comfortable, since
lying on uneven plastic is not a feel-good event, particularly
for older dogs.
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