Why on earth would you want to rub this puppy's nose in pee? Get real!

Just in case some of you didn’t realize it… We are living in the 21st century.

Just the thought of someone thinking that rubbing a dog’s nose in pee makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I cannot begin to fathom that there are people out there living in today’s society who would actually think that this barbaric practice is an acceptable way to housebreak a puppy.

I’ve often wondered if these people would rub their children’s noses in their underwear if they had an accident while potty training. Perhaps they make the child wear the dirty underwear on their heads. Of course, most people would never do such a horrific thing to a child, but they won’t think twice about grinding a dog’s snout in urine.

So, just to be clear, let me put it in big, bold, red letters, and I will underline the key word:

Rubbing a Dog’s Nose in Pee
DOES NOT WORK.

Got it? Great. Let’s move on to housetraining methods that do work.

First, realize that housebreaking takes patience and consistency. Rewarding proper behavior will work much better than punishing a puppy for having an accident.

Many people don’t realize that the length of time that it takes to housetrain strictly depends upon the dedication of you and your family. Canines can’t housebreak themselves, so unless the owner is steadfast in getting the pup outdoors when he has to pee, there will be accidents. To put it bluntly: All accidents that a puppy has are the result of the owner’s negligence.

Listen for the Yip

A puppy’s first cry must be heard and acted on by his human family. The initial whine means that the puppy needs to go outside to pee or poop. It is essential to his training that you immediately get him outside to do his business. When he urinates or defecates, give tons of praise. Act like your pet just produced a million-dollar turd and he will soon learn that handling his bowels or bladder outdoors is a fantastic thing.

Water Means Wet Spots

Brand new pet owners may not realize that a puppy needs to go outside to pee shortly after drinking water. The truth of the matter is that fluid tends to move quickly through a puppy’s system, especially if they run around your house afterward.

It’s never wise, nor is it healthy, to withhold water from a dog simply to decrease the amount of urine that it produces. Watch for the signs and listen for his yip if you really want to get him housebroken quickly.

Oh Can You Smell That Smell?

One of the biggest problems that pet owners have with the housebreaking process is that they do not clean up accidents properly. In case you didn’t know it, doggies have a super-keen sense of smell. When a dog gets the scent of urine in a particular place, he will immediately go to the spot and cover it up with fresh pee. This can be avoided with a thorough cleaning.

Urine accidents that happen on hard surfaces such as ceramic tile, concrete floors or linoleum are easy to handle. The urine should be absorbed with plenty of paper towels. Then you should mix up a bucket of bleach and very hot water. The area must be scrubbed to eliminate any residual odor that the doggy might be able to pick up. The better you are at cleaning, the less likely your pooch is to have additional accidents.

Embrace the Crate

One of the best tools that a pet owner should invest in is the airline crate. Dogs are generally clean animals and do not like to pee or poop where they sleep. Puppies that have been housebroken by using the crate training method are less likely to have accidents in the house unless they have underlying health issues. Consider crate training to keep your home free of the smell of urine.

 Photos: Shutterstock (top), fazen/Flickr

Source: Rubbing a Dog’s Nose in Pee Does Not Work!

Written by Roseann Lahey Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

How to remove cat urine stains and odors

We’ve all had that sinking feeling when you see your pet hunch down and you know he is urinating on your floor. Panic, stress and a race to move him elsewhere sets in almost instantly. In other instances we smell a faint urine odor but cannot find the source. Whether you catch the pet instantly or find it later, urine stains do need to be cleaned if you want to get rid of the odor.

Urine can seep through the carpet to the padding and subfloor. Upholstery and wood floors are also at risk of harboring the ammonia-type smell, but there are some solutions to help remove the stain and unpleasant odor. Cat urine is stronger than dog urine because of the protein-rich diet, and the source needs to be found or it will keep creeping up no matter how many deodorizers you spray in your home.

Cats urinate outside their litter boxes for several reasons. Some of these are:

• Marking territory
• Full litter box
• Loss of bladder control
• Illness
• Litter box location (no privacy or difficult to access)
• Type of cat litter
• Stress (moving or other animals)
• Recent declawing caused paws to be sore

No matter the surface of the urine, always try to soak up as much of it as possible with paper towels or a dry cloth. Press on the area to absorb the urine; do not rub it in since this can spread it into surrounding fibers or deeper into the subfloor. There are several cleaning solutions you can use depending on the surface.

Carpet

After drying the urine as much as possible, use a cleaning solution to treat the area. Always test an inconspicuous area first if you are unsure of the effect the solution will have on the carpet (under a sofa or behind furniture where any damage won’t be seen).

1. Rub baking soda and water into the carpet and leave it to dry. Vacuum up the solution when dry and repeat if necessary. This solution is good for surface soiling but may not be best for deep or subfloor extraction.
2. Also use warm water and vinegar if you have it on hand.
3. Using a steam cleaner or renting an extractor or wet vacuum may be effective in removing the moisture and killing the odor-causing bacteria.
4. A cleaner or detergent with hydrogen peroxide is another alternative, but test this on dark carpets as it might lighten some fabrics.

Upholstery

Dry the surface as much as possible with a dry cloth or paper towel. Clean the surface with a cleaning solution such as one of those above and pat dry. Use a hair dryer to dry the area starting from the outside of the stain. Some steam cleaners also have accessories or handles for these types of furniture and can be used to kill the bacteria. Just as with carpet, test an inconspicuous area first so you don’t leave permanent damage in a visible area.

Hardwood Floors

Urine can seep through the seams of the wood floor and affect the padding or subfloor below. If you have pets, make sure your wood floors are sealed well. In the event of a urine accident, dry the moisture as much as possible. The warm water and vinegar mixture may be best, but any damage may depend on the type of wood you have on your floor.

Test a hidden area just as you would with fabrics before applying any chemicals or cleaners. If you are successful in removing the urine completely and it does not return for a few days, consider applying another coat of sealer to your floors to prevent further accidents from getting trapped into the subfloor.

After treating the area for stain and odor, you can apply an odor remover. These are usually found in pet stores; look for one that has enzymes in it to attack any remaining bacteria. Be careful not to look for one designed to treat blood stains as these are not as effective on urine odors. You can also use the same homemade remedy for removing skunk odor.

If you smell urine but cannot find its source, try using a blacklight to illuminate the soiled area. Even with the above solutions, sometimes the urine is old or trapped so deep into the subfloor that it simply cannot be removed without replacing the flooring. If you do decide to replace your flooring, seal the subfloor well (if installing a wood floor, seal the surface well).

Additional Resources

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: House soiling by cats
• Cat Secrets Revealed: How to clean cat urine

Photo: yousscool2010/Flickr

Source: Litter Box Blues: How to Clean Cat Urine Stains and Odors

Written by Kristine Lacoste Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Question: Hi, I just a got a great dane puppy, Cooper. Ever since we got him, he just will not go outside at all. We take him out and wait for almost 20 minutes, and the minute we come back — inside he goes!

We’ve had him for a week and half, and he still won’t go outside. We take him outside every 30 minutes to an hour, and he still refuses to go outside. We know that if he poops indoors we take the poop outside and show him where he should be pooping. But he runs away from the grass and comes back inside.

I’m getting frustrated about it, because he’s scared all the time, and doesn’t want anyone to touch him but me. It’s weird. I don’t know what else we should do. We only feed him two or three times a day. I need advice! We had a great dane before, but she never acted scared or anything; she goes outside. She was such a happy little puppy when she was a puppy.

But Cooper, he’s so scared of everything! I’m starting to think the breeder did not let him go outside at all and socialize the puppies. –Brittney

It sounds like your great dane has never learned to go to the bathroom in grass and is too fearful to learn in the way you are trying. When dogs are very fearful it is not uncommon for them to never overcome the fear on their own. This means you might repeat the same situation for a month without seeing any results. We need to do two things in this situation: help him be comfortable enough to go outside and prevent him from going inside.

For housebreaking a great dane like this, I would start by sitting down and figuring out what the dog’s schedule has been until now. His bowel movements should be fairly predictable from day to day. When you think he probably needs to go, I would take him for a long walk on grass. You can wander around the yard working on teaching him to “heel” properly. This will help alleviate any fear he may be experiencing since you are teaching him to focus on you. The longer you walk, the less worried he will be about all the things in the world that he finds scary.

Once he is calm and relaxed in the yard, he will be much more likely to be comfortable enough to poop. The walking also tends to make him feel the need to poop because of the exercise. When he eventually goes, I would quietly praise him while he is going and then give some more excited praise after he is done.

It is also important to stop the great dane from pooping in the house. If you take him outside and he doesn’t go after his walk, I would bring him in and either keep him on leash with you or put him in his crate. The crate isn’t meant to be a punishment; it just prevents him from going inside.

Each time he goes outside he becomes more comfortable with it, and each time he goes in the house means one less time outside.

Once you have four or five days of success you should be pretty much finished helping the dog to be comfortable outside, and you will be left with some of the more basic housebreaking issues common to all puppies.

Photo: Gmonkey/Flickr.com

Source: Housebreaking a Great Dane: Great Big Fun

Written by Matt Covey Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Some people start housebreaking puppies by using newspaper as toilets. This is not an appropriate practice when potty training a Great Dane puppy.

Although wee wee pads for dogs (sometimes known as piddle pads) are more absorbent than newspapers, they really aren’t a great idea for this large breed either. When a Great Dane puppy pees in the house, he really goes! We’re talking pools, not puddles. Those bladders are huge. Teaching one of these guys to use the bathroom indoors is an absolute recipe for disaster!

The minute you step out of the car with your new oversized bundle of joy, bring him to the area outdoors that you want him to use as a bathroom. Once the Great Dane puppy pees or poops, you should praise him and give him a tasty pet treat. Only after he does his business in the yard should you bring him indoors to check out his new home.

Once inside, let the pup investigate his surroundings. He will sniff around, but make sure that he does not squat to pee or poop. If he begins to go, a quick “Hey!” should stop the action while you quickly pick him up and get him back outdoors. When he finishes, praise him and give him a treat. He will soon associate doing his business outside with tons of praise — and a yummy treat too!

Of course, there will be accidents — no small matter when considering this is a Great Dane puppy peeing in your house. However, these “accidents” are a fact of life not only when house training large dog breeds but also any breed. It is important to keep your cool and always be consistent.

You cannot correct any canine after the fact; you have to catch him while in the process of going where he shouldn’t go. So one morning if you find a, umm, “present” waiting for you well after the fact, simply pick it up (not in your bare hands, for crying out loud!) and put it outside in his potty area. Any liquid should be wiped up. Use a solution of vinegar and water to deodorize the area. You’ve got to act like nothing happened because, trust me, the not-so-little pup won’t even remember that he went there.

Every time he eats or drinks, your canine should be taken outside. Remember the treats and praise when he does his business. You need to make him think he delivered a million dollars to you when he urinates or poops in the correct area.

With all these things in mind, you should find it a rather simple process to housetrain a larger dog like this. Consistency and positive reinforcement are the keys to knowing how to potty train a Great Dane puppy.

Photo: Bryan Peters/Flickr

Source: Potty Training a Great Dane Puppy

Written by Dan Frontworth Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Min pin crate training doesn't have to be difficult. We break it down into 5 easy steps.

Crate training is the easiest way to house train your miniature doberman pinscher, and keeps your li’l puppy safe at the same time.

In this article, we’ll discuss a method of min pin crate training in just 5 steps. This is a quick and easy way to make your min pin puppy feel secure, happy and comfortable in his own little bedroom. No dog likes to use the bathroom where it sleeps, so crate training is a great housebreaking program.

1. Be sure to purchase a crate that is not too big. (It shouldn’t be too small either.) It should be comfortable for your min pin to sleep in as well as roomy enough for him to stand up and turn around. Line the crate with a soft and comfortable blanket. Attach food and water bowls to the door so your miniature pinscher is never left hungry or thirsty.

2. Introduce your little one to the crate. The introduction is actually very important. Never just pick the dog up and shove him in it. He needs to explore the crate and realize that it is a good place. Hide treats and long lasting chew toys inside of the crate. A favorite stuffed toy will also help to make your miniature pinscher more comfortable in his new room. Let him go in and out at will. Providing the puppy is familiar with the crate and not afraid of it, you can move onto the third step.

3. Gently place your min pin inside the crate. Praise him and give him a special treat. Close and latch the door. Stay in the room and go about other activities for a few minutes. Open the crate door and continue as if the gate were never closed. The dog will come out on his own. Do not coax him to exit the crate because he should be able to stay in there if he wants to do so.

4. Now put the little one in the crate and latch the door. Be sure he has treats, toys, food and especially water. Stay in the room for five minutes but do not talk to the puppy. After that time, walk out of the room quietly. Leave the min pin in the crate for an hour. If he cries, reassure him that all is well and leave him.

5. Finally, exercise your min pin just before bedtime. Be sure he is tuckered out. Place him in the crate and tell him good night. If he cries, reassure him that everything is OK. If he continues to whine, a sharp “hush” should do the trick. Be sure to have the lights off at bedtime.

You should understand that the method of min pin crate training in just 5 steps will take at least a week. Be consistent, and your miniature pinscher puppy will be sleeping soundly in no time.

Photo: johnthesaintjohn/Flickr

Source: Min Pin Crate Training in Just 5 Steps

Written by Dan Frontworth Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Many owners opt not to teach their dogs to use the bathroom outdoors. The method of chihuahua wee wee pad training suits their lifestyle better. They do not need to walk the dog. Pee pads are especially lauded by apartment dwellers and condo owners. For people without back yards, these training papers are a perfect solution.

Still others do not like to bring their chihuahuas outdoors in inclement weather conditions for fear that they will get a chill. These are all viable reasons for using wee wee pads.

Housebreaking pads are made of absorbent paper. The bottom is lined with leak-proof plastic. The plastic protects carpets from becoming urine soaked, hence preventing dog pee stains and odors. They are very similar to the consistency of a baby’s diaper. The pads have a scent that entices the puppy to go potty there.

Chihuahua Wee Wee Pad Training Tips

Decide on a spot that you want your chihuahua to use to go to the bathroom. This should never be close to a bedding area. Be sure that this is where you want him to go. Once decided, you should always place the chihuahua’s wee wee pads in the same spot. Changing the bathroom area will result in accidents. Place the house-training pad in a permanent spot.

As soon as your pup eats or drinks, place him on the pee pad. If he walks away from the spot, place him back there until he pees or poops. When he wakes up, put him on the pad. Watch carefully as he plays; exercise also aids in elimination. If your chihuahua begins to sniff around or squat, bring him back to the wee wee pad.

Stress-Free Housebreaking Possible

Should your little canine friend have an accident, soak up the urine with paper towels. Place the towels on the wee wee pads for a few minutes, allowing the urine to seek into the pad. This will give the pad your doggie’s scent and encourage him to go there again. If he goes potty in an inappropriate area, pick up the poop and place it on the pad. Leave it there for a bit so the pad gets the odor absorbed into it. Then remove the turd. This will help your puppy understand that the bathroom training pads are the place for him to do his business.

Be consistent and gentle for proper chihuahua wee wee pad training. Always praise your pet when he goes in the right spot. Using this method, relatively stress-free housebreaking is possible.

Photo: !ºrobodot/Flickr

Source: Chihuahua Wee Wee Pad Training

Written by Pets Adviser Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Patience and consistency is the trick for wee wee pad training for puppies. These scented urine pads can be real life-savers when trying to housebreak a young dog, but they are not a permanent solution. You need to eventually condition your puppy to go outside for bathroom breaks.

Lay down your wee wee pad in a highly visible, consistent area of your home. This will reinforce the behavior in your puppy, who will know exactly where to eliminate waste day in and day out.

When you see your dog sniffing or circling an area, you know he’s probably about to pee or poop. If you did not catch your pup in time, forget about punishing him; it won’t work. Instead, next time try to catch him right before he tries to go. Then jump into action. Say “no!” and pick your dog up and place him onto the wee wee pad.

If your doggie tries to leave the urine mat without going potty, then simply place your pet back on the mat.

Keep your dog in a comfortable pet crate when you are not at home. This will be necessary only during house training, and it is not cruel to your pet. In fact, successful canine crate training teaches your pup that he can hold it in until you get home — that’s a good lesson!

When your puppy successfully piddles on the pee pad, lavish him with praise and pat him on the head. Immediately extend a treat for him to snack on. You want to reward great dog behavior in this way, rather than spend too much time scolding him for “bad” behaviors. (You know the expression: “You can catch more bees with honey…”)

Once your dog has become accustomed to elimination on the wee pad, a week later start moving the pads gradually toward your house door. Every day, inch it over a little closer to the door. Eventually, the pee mat will be outside your home, and then later there will be no wee wee pad at all — just the great outdoors!

So there you go, quick and easy wee wee pad training tips for dogs.

Want to know even more? Here are a few other techniques for housetraining your dog.

Source: Wee Wee Pad Training Tips

Written by Dan Frontworth Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

 

Allen Simon, Wee Wee Pad inventor

Allen Simon never went to high school. But now he’s filthy stinkin’ rich. How?

Easy… He is the inventor of the Wee-Wee Pads for dogs. That’s right: Every time a dog pees, this guy hears cash registers ringing.

Allen was a former carpet layer who transitioned into a dog grooming business in Brooklyn. In those days they used newspapers for the pets to pee on. Noticing how the urine soaked through the paper to the floor, Allen says he had an epiphany: “I said this is ridiculous; I’ll make my own pad.”

A novel product of the 1970s, Allen’s super absorbent piddle pads were designed to attract the puppy when nature comes calling. There is a plastic lining that helps to prevent floor damage from urine. You can use them in potty training or for dogs that are housebound for longer periods of time. Various sizes are available, from small pups to extra large dogs.

As the bestselling housebreaking pad in the world, Four Paws Wee Wee Pads have been tremendously popular, and Allen figures that he’s “gone from $1,000 in sales to over $30 million.” That’s nothing to bark at.

“Dog Whisperer” Cesar Milan praises the pads, but cautions pet owners about their use in house training a puppy. “Though Wee-Wee Pads are a wonderful invention,” he says, “it’s very important that puppies don’t learn housebreaking inside a house.” He advises to set the pee pads out at times when you won’t be able to supervise the puppy. Also, always replace a used pad immediately with a new one.

Top pic: TV Land photo

Source: Inventor of the Wee-Wee Pad

Written by Pets Adviser Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

You’ve got your puppy home and are busy fussing and playing with it without realizing that it has to be properly potty trained.

Both young and adult dogs need to be trained in this aspect. Below are some quick tips for dog potty training.

• You will need plenty of paper and patience in the initial days of potty training your dog. Choose an area or “den” where the puppy will spend most part of the day, and spread papers (or wee-wee pads) across the area. Notice that the puppy chooses a particular area each day to pass potty. With each passing day you can slowly remove the paper from the other areas around the room.
• Until the training is complete, restrict the movement of the puppy to other parts of the house (such as by buying a crate for the dog). This way your puppy can be completely house trained. In case of an accident, do not scold the puppy; but reward it when it behaves properly and uses the designated place.

Tips for Dog Potty Training.

• Use a pets odor remover to clean dog urine in case the puppy passed the potty at a different place. Do this to ensure that the puppy does not go at the same wrong place.
• Puppies are not in control of their bladder until they are 12 weeks old and may poop without warning.
• Monitor your pet’s behavior to find tell-tale signs before it poops. As soon as you notice the signs (sniffing in circles, for example), firmly guide the dog to the place designated for this purpose.
• It is very important to schedule the meals of the day. This is necessary to train your dog to pass potty at the same time each day. Most dogs poo 30 minutes to a hour after having their meal. Make this a routine.
• Adult dogs tend to control their bladder much better, and you can train them to eliminate when you take them for a walk.

You can use all these tips for dog potty training, but it will require patience and love on your part until your pet is on its own.

Source: Tips for Dog Potty Training

Written by Dan Frontworth Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Crate training is a powerful tool in housebreaking your puppy, according to Dr. Chris Cauble of PetsDoc.com.

“Keeping your pup in a confined space, such as a large box, letting him out to urinate and defecate every few hours is the essence of crate training,” Dr. Cauble says. “This simulates a wild wolf den where the pups never soil the space they live in.”

Time the trips outside with your puppy’s needs. The goal of dog housetraining, he says, is to reward good pet behavior (in other words, not soiling the crate) instead of punishing for accidents: going outside is OK, but going inside isn’t.

“If you are away for long periods, you cannot blame your pup for accidents if he is left inside,” Dr. Cauble says, adding that installing doggy doors or placing newspaper (or Wee Wee Pads) on the floor may be helpful for those times when you will be gone for a long time.

The ultimate secret to housebreaking your dog? Reward, don’t punish. “Over 95 percent of house-training comprises rewarding the dog for eliminating in the right place,” says Dr. Ian Dunbar, TV host and author. “If you regularly take your dog to its doggy toilet area and praise it upon completion, the problem will be resolved in short order.”

Of course you might be wondering, How can I know ahead of time when my pup needs to pee so I can quickly scoot him out of the house? “Puppies generally need to go to the toilet soon after waking, after meals or after play. These are the times the puppy should be taken out to eliminate, as well as whenever it starts to circle or sniff,” Dr. Dunbar advises.

And what should you do if you don’t catch the puppy in the act during a mistake? Do not reprimand the dog or try to show your dog the wet spot (or especially don’t rub the puppy’s nose in it). “Simply clean up the mess and continue with the program,” the vet says.

Dr. Carol Osborne, in her book “Dr. Carol’s Naturally Healthy Dogs,” advises that it’s crucial to completely get rid of the stench of your dog’s urine or feces in your house after a mistake. Don’t use an ammonia-type cleaner to clean up the urine, she says. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner like Elim-Odor on the soiled area.

She stresses that you should always be at the dog’s side during bathroom breaks. “Take the puppy out on a leash through the same door to the same spot every time, and when it does its business, reward with praise, she says. If you do allow your dog to go out unsupervised, you’ll regret it: “She will go out, come in and urinate on the floor right in front of you,” Dr. Osborne predicts.

“What 3 Vets Say,” a regular feature at PetsAdviser.com, is merely a small sampling of general opinions, NOT medical advice for your pet. These veterinarians are not affiliated with this website; their comments are culled from various online and print sources. For specific health advice about your own pet, always consult your veterinarian.

Source: Dog Housetraining Tips – What 3 Vets Say

Written by David Deleon Baker Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Indoor Dog Potty – What You Need to Know Before You Buy.

There might be moments when you’re not around when your dog has to relieve himself. Perhaps your dog has trouble holding it in. If this is your case, you might be wondering if an indoor dog potty is right for your pup.

Here’s what you need to know before you buy. Think of these dog potties as high-end urine pads. In other words, there’s still a fair amount of cleanup involved.

Your basic indoor dog toilet, something like those made by WizDog or Ugodog, will be a plastic pan covered by grating over which your pup does his business. The liquid waste filters down below onto an absorbent wee-wee pad or newspaper. The grate will keep nasty wet paws from tracking urine all over your house. These models can cost around $40 to $50.

Look for a puppy potty with soft grates that are easy on paws. If you use pads, look for a potty that can easily accommodate the pads without your having to custom-cut the pads for a proper fit. Another thing to watch for is that the sides are high enough so your pup doesn’t aim over the side, creating a puddle of dog urine on your floor. Also, is the box itself made of a durable chew-proof material? Can it support the weight of your pet? Finally, is it easy to move the potty around your home?

If your dog is accustomed to grass, you probably want to step up to a more expensive version of the indoor dog potty, something with artificial grass. The Pet Loo Indoor Dog Yard is a good example of these grass dog toilets. These may not require pads or newspapers underneath; you simply clean them with warm water or a garden hose. The premium Porch Potty even comes with a sprinkler system that sprays the “grass” clean. You’ll need a lot of space for this potty, however.

Other popular brands include the Potty Patch Puppy Potty, PetPark Indoor Pet Potty and PetaPotty. Remember that these indoor dog toilets come in all shapes and sizes. Take your time and find the right brand for your situation.

We don’t generally recommend litter boxes for dogs, by the way. Save those for the cat; dogs tend to want to simply play in the litter.

Source: Indoor Dog Potty – What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Written by Pets Adviser Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.

Know how to buy a dog crate.

How to buy a dog crate is a question that comes up from time to time from pet owners. The trick to finding the perfect one for your dog is size.

So, what size should you get? You want to purchase a pet crate big enough for your pup to be able to stretch on its side as well as stand up and move around. There should be 3 or 4 inches above the dog’s head when he stands up.

If you’re buying a crate for a puppy, don’t get one that’s too large; as that could undermine your housebreaking efforts. But if you do buy a big one, you can always partition it while the puppy is still young, then remove the partition as the dog gets older. The partition can be as simple as a length of pegboard, or you can order a crate divider online.

Go for a wire crate, because plastic ones (while a bit cheaper, and more popular) might just become a chew toy for your pup; that’s obviously not good. The plastic ones (also called kennels) are good, however, as temporary ways to transport your pet (dog carriers) to the vet or groomer.

Wire crates often are collapsible; you can fold them down for storage in your closet when not needed. Make sure it is made from a heavy guage wire and is sturdy.

The dog crate should have a removable floor pan for ease of cleanup. Also, comfort is key here, so look for a smooth floor. You can always use an old blanket or a new pad for bedding. Crates cost anywhere from about $40 to $150 and up. Look for a wide variety in pet stores, department stores, supply catalogs or from online retailers.

One last reminder: Don’t abuse the crate. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and lots of attention throughout the day. Clean the crate frequently. No dog should be forced to sleep in a soiled area.

Photo: Adam Sowers/Flickr.com

Source: How to Buy a Dog Crate

Written by Dan Frontworth Copyright 2012, Pets Adviser® pet advice.