How to Prevent a Dog Escaping From a Crate?
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Does your pet go through a lot of stress even at the sight of his crate? It is a situation many owners face and find somewhat unnerving. How far is your furry mischief ready to go to escape from his heavy-duty crate?
It is not uncommon for canines to get restless and upset when placed and locked inside cages. They may show changes in their behavior and appear quite frustrated. Barking, chewing, whining, and scratching is what you can expect from your pup in such cases.
Some pooches will use all their wits and skill to set themselves free from this kind of ‘’imprisonment’’. That is why top quality dog crate and its locking system play a big part in preventing these escapes.
Is there anything a pet parent can do to bring these awkward situations to an end?
Fortunately, there is some good news. We will look at some of the most common reasons why this happens and what owners can do to eliminate such behavior in their furry pals.
Reasons Why Canines Escape Their Kennels
- Terror or Distress
You may often see your pup trying desperately to break free from his kennel. Before you raise your voice and frown upon him, make sure your pal is not feeling emotionally distressed. In other words, restless or even aggressive behavior in such cases can be the consequence of some fear he is feeling.
The source of it can be something in your dog’s environment, loud noise, or a similar trigger. Hence, it is of vital importance to recognize and eliminate whatever causes it.
- Separation Anxiety
Never forget that dogs are sociable and usually seek the company of people and other canines. It’s no wonder that your pup shows signs of separation anxiety when left alone for a while. To make things worse, being locked up in a cage or kennel can only intensify this detrimental feeling.
Many pups will make a great effort to find a way and get out of their crate as soon as you leave their sight.
Read more: Best Dog Crates for Separation Anxiety
- Restleness
No canine will be thrilled about the idea of being left in a kennel for too long. The reason is simple and logical. The majority of canines are active and playful, and their favorite way of having fun is running, walking, doing tricks or playing.
If you make your buddy stay locked up for a long while, he is almost sure to get restless. Yes, it can be incredibly dull and cause a lot of anxiety in your pup. Instead, frequent walks and play sessions are strongly advisable.
- Sexual Excitement
Sooner or later, the time will come when your pup develops a strong urge to mate. When that happens, pups will try their best to break free, especially when sensing a potential mating partner in the vicinity.
Males are usually more prone to these kinds of escapes when seeking a female. If, on the other hand, your female pet finds the way out of her kennel while in heat, she is most likely to get pregnant. Neutering or spaying your furry friend as soon as possible is the only efficient way of handling this issue.
Tips on How to Prevent Your Dogs From Breaking Out?
Get An Appropriate Heavy-duty Dog Crate
Your pal’s safety is undoubtedly dependent on the quality of his crate. It is a starting point when opting for the one that would suit your puppy the best. There are several conditions a proper crate has to meet, so let us have a look at some of them.
First of all, you should go for an indestructible one, which will stop your buddy from ripping it apart while you are away. Moreover, extra-strong, escape-proof crates are always a wiser choice. Finally, it has to be spacious enough and provide sufficient room for your furry friend.
Quality products, even though costlier, usually prove to be a more economical option in the long run.
Give Them Toys & Treats
Nothing will brighten your buddy up more than his favorite treat or two. It is a very effective tool for making your pup develop some positive feelings about being placed in a crate. Of course, this kind of indulging should not be excessive, as it can affect your pal’s health negatively.
Significant progress can be made just by putting the toy he adores the most in the crate, too. This way, your pal will get his thoughts distracted from the fear and anxiety of being left alone. Cuddling or chewing his favorite trinket will help him pass the solitary time, as well.
Fix Escape Points
To do so, you first need to figure out what your pal’s escape strategy is. No matter how safe the manufacturers claim their products to be, you may be surprised how easily your canine finds their weak spots.
In many cases, pups manage to turn the cage latch. If this is what your pal does, you will need to secure it by using a padlock or a zip tie. However, if the dog is strong enough to bend the cage bars, it is advisable to go for a new, escape-proof option.
Train Them To Be Independent
Separation can indeed make your furry buddy feel a bit stressed out. For this reason, it is crucial to teach them from an early age that being alone for some time is part of their regular daily routine.
Try not to be too dramatic when leaving and coming back home. Don’t make a big deal about saying goodbye for a couple of hours. Try to behave in a calm and composed way, giving your pup the feeling that everything is just fine!
Walk Them Regularly
Dogs are not meant to live in a cage – and you should never forget this! Keeping your pal in a kennel is justified in many situations, primarily for the sake of their safety. However, the amount of time they spend confined to this small space should be reasonable and limited.
Make sure your pet dog gets plenty of exercise. A long walk will undoubtedly be beneficial and make up for the inactive time a pup spends in a crate. Ideally, several walks a day will be just what your canine needs and thoroughly enjoys!
Change The Cage’s Location
You may think this is awkward, but the position of your puppy’s crate can make a difference and reduce the number and intensity of escape attempts. Finding such a perfect spot can be the key to solving this frustrating issue.
Some pups will prefer being left in a crate with a view of a window or a see-through door. Some, on the other hand, may find the sight of passers-by, or other animals too tempting and get even more restless. Take some time to work out which corner of your home will keep your pal most relaxed and at ease.
Importance of Choosing an Escape-Proof Dog Crate
You don’t want to get shocked once you return home and find out what had been going on behind a closed door, while you were away. If your pup finds a way out of his crate, there is trouble in sight. Ruining your place and furniture, or putting himself in danger are some of the possible outcomes.
This is when a good-quality, escape-proof crate saves the day. You should not be in two minds about whether to pay more for a durable and strong one, choosing it over a more economical counterpart. In the long run, you will be able to sigh a breath of relief knowing that your beloved pal is secure and that you are taking good care of him.
Crating Cautions
- Don’t Leave Your Dog Inside For Too Long
Imagine yourself being locked up in a small space for a long time. This is not funny at all, right? Your pet will share this feeling, for sure.
Dogs are active and athletic beings, seeking entertainment and activity most of the time. Keeping them locked for a long time may result in a lot of frustration. They may grow rather anxious and restless. Once you release them, they may get hyperactive and almost impossible to control.
- Don’t Associate it with Punishment
For the majority of pups, crates are a necessity. They keep them safe while their owners are not around, when traveling or when there is any kind of threat. That is why your pal needs to develop a positive attitude towards crates.
Associating it with punishments is definitely not a way to achieve this. Even when your buddy messes something up, try to avoid using a crate or a cage to teach him a lesson.
- Don’t Make It As Their Permanent Home
Your pooch needs a secure place where he can feel sheltered and get some time on his own. Still, cages and kennels should not be turned into canines’ permanent homes.
They are a practical and convenient thing that make your and your pet’s life more comfortable in a number of situations. Using a quality impact dog crate when traveling with your furry pal is one example. However, you should make sure not to overuse them. Your beloved friend prefers being by your side, and this is what will make him content and happy.
- Limit Time For Puppies
Any kind of early training usually proves to be effective. Getting your puppy used to his time in a crate is a smart idea. Yet, you should take into account your growing puppy’s needs and be cautious not to overdo it.
If they are younger than six months, puppies can find it hard, or even impossible, to control their bowel and bladder. Keeping them in a closed space for more than 3-4 hours at a time is definitely not advisable and should be avoided until a point they can handle it.
Recommended for you: The Potential Dangers of Dog Crates
Conclusion
We all want nothing but the best for our furry pals, right? We will go to great lengths to pamper them by opting for quality food formulas, various kinds of supplements and treats, toys or even clothing items. The same is true of heavy-duty crates, which are inevitable items in almost all dog-owning homes at some point.
These may not be your pup’s favorite, but their role when it comes to their safety and convenience should not be questioned. Pet parents should hence take some time to find the one that will tick all the boxes for their pal.
Spacious and airy, made of quality material such as aluminium, strong and escape-proof are some of the features you should look out for. A wide array of products in this category ( including a wide price-range, too) can be a plus, but a hindrance at the same time, too.
We hope you will find our guidelines handy in finding the best solution and carry on taking great care of your best friend.
The post How to Prevent a Dog Escaping From a Crate? appeared first on Woof Dog.
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