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Old May 20th, 2006, 07:45 AM
JoLou JoLou is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: southern ontario
Posts: 15
Crate training- advice and thoughts please

Well Hi all

We have a new puppy- the whole puppy thing is new to me.

I have done some reasearch and read a bit about crate training but I need more help

Rex is a bichon mix- I am using my cats travel kennel ( been on a shelf for 6 years- no kitty attachment). I brought him home in the kennel. The crate sits in the kitchen- Rex's area with the door open and a couple of old towels in it. since arriving home Rex uses the crate for sleep and times when things are a bit overwhelming. My son (8) knows that the crate is sacrosant and when Rex is in there heis left alone. I have not closed the door of the crate though since he has been home.

The kitchen is baby gated off at night and when we are not home


so questions:

1. What is the point of crate training- is it for denning and safe place? is it to keep him in with the door closed? time out area? i found myself unsure

2. How big should the crate be? this is a cat crate. I could probably fit 3 sleeping Rex's in it but no more- is that too small- or is small good?

3. should I be closing the door to get him used to that- or will that make it negative?

4. Should he be staying in it all the time at night or when we are out or is being kept in the secure kitchen better

I know that these are probably stupid but everything I read was not real clear.

Thanks in advance- Jo
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