Why Every Dog Needs (Some) Crate Training

By Blake in Petminda Posted July 20, 2022

Why Dog Crate Training? Reasons Why Every Dog Needs (Some) Crate Training

How crate training can benefit your dog for everyday use or unforeseen emergencies, even if you never plan to own or use a dog crate long-term.

Whether you’ve invited a brand new puppy into your family or your dog is on the more mature side, it’s never too early (or late) to begin crate training your four-legged friend.

You might have formed certain perceptions around crating your dog, perhaps you even dislike the look of crates or feel that it’s cruel to your pup in some way. But the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

Crate training your dog can actually offer multiple benefits for both you and your canine companion, including keeping them safe and secure when you’re at home or on the move, whilst also providing them with a private and cosy area that is purely their own.

Even if you don’t plan to use a dog crate long-term, which is 100% a personal choice, in the article below we reveal why crate training your dog is still essential for any pet parent.

Reasons You May Need to Crate Your Dog

There are many reasons you may wish to crate your dog. These include:

To leave your pup in a secure space, when you’re unable to monitor them
To give them their own peaceful place to rest and sleep, away from main household movement and noise
To help transport your dog, whether interstate or overseas
To secure your dog during an emergency or to support post-surgery healing
To assist with housebreaking, as dogs instinctively dislike soiling their sleeping space
To easily confine your dog when visitors come to your home
To provide a safe den during fireworks or when otherwise stressed

You may even have your own reasons not included on this list. What’s important is that the crate is treated as an inviting, safe and comfortable place for your pup.

Which brings us onto…

Advice on Crate Training

If you’re looking for crate training help, then here’s some essential advice on successful dog crate training to get you started.

Don’t expect to crate train your dog overnight.

This can be a longer process than many pet parents expect, which is why – where possible – it’s better to start this training when your dog is a puppy (although mature and senior dogs can still be crate trained too.)

The RSPCA has provided this handy quickfire overview of the key steps to crate training your dog. Our personal advice is to set up a dog crate training schedule and stick to it, as its through persistence and patience that this training will be successful.

Also, don’t worry if you see some dog crate training regression. What often happens with this kind of training is you’ll make gradual progress, a little at a time, with the occasional setback every now and then. That’s completely normal. Just keep going!

Don’t use it as a form of punishment.

Many dog training experts and behaviourists recommend never using a crate as a negative or ‘time out’ space for undesirable behaviour. If used as a form of punishment, your pup will quickly form negative associations with this space and may be resistant to entering a crate in the future as a result, potentially becoming stressed or destructive if then forced into one.

Likewise, be mindful of whether your dog has separation anxiety. In this case crating may again not be appropriate for your pup, as it can in fact heighten their anxiety or reactivity.

Make sure your dog has regular breaks from their crate.

You should not leave your dog in a crate for extended periods of time, especially without proper enrichment and physical stimulation. Overnight crating is obviously a different story, however you should not leave your dog in a crate the entire time you leave the house for your 9-5 job, for example. In that case, someone will need to pop in to let your dog out for a stretch of their legs and toilet time at some point in the day.

In a crate, the recommendation is 3-4 hours max for an adult dog, and 1-2 hours for a puppy. (The Petminda pods have a maximum of one hour stay at a time)

As much as we’d love to always have our pups by our side, there are going to be times when you need to leave Fido on his own. In those circumstances, you want to be able to leave your dog, confident that they’re going to remain comfortable, calm and safe in your absence.

But what about when you’re out in public and need to swing by a shop that doesn’t permit our four-legged friends on their premises? It’s not like you can lug a full-size dog crate everywhere you go, after all!

Well, that’s exactly why Petminda pet pods were created: to provide a safe, secure space where your canine companion can chill out as you do your thing in the shops.

Vet approved, temperature controlled, with a fail safe design and live-video monitoring, our pet pods have been designed with your pup’s protection and comfort in mind, whilst also offering you the convenience and relief of worry-free shopping.

The first of their kind in Australia, you can learn more about our pet pods here.

We hope you’ve found this article helpful in highlighting the benefits of crate training for your own dog. Make sure to reach out and say hey to us across our socials too – we love to hear from you!

Love the Petminda team

🐶🐾❤

Having a RUFF time settling your dog in a pod?

By Blake in Petminda Posted October 18, 2021

Having a RUFF time settling your pooch in a pod?

Hello Petminda Community! Are you nervous about how your pooch will react to their first pod experience, have you tried but your pooch ‘lifted their leg’ at the idea? You’re not alone – While many dogs are comfortable and like the relaxing break before setting off on their next adventure, some can be a little cautious with a new space or get a bit anxious when you’re not around.  We have some great training tips to help you settle your dog in a pod.

We’ve been lucky enough to have Australia’s most loved animal behaviourist, Laura V of Dognitive Therapy  stop by and provide some tips to help the Petminda community settle their pooch in a pod.

Step 1.

Introduce your dog to the pod. Reward them immediately. Make the reward something they don’t usually get, that is particularly high value to them.

Step 2.

Open the door and offer them a reward for exploring the pod.

Step 3.

Bring their favourite treats and toys and place them inside the pod. Do not leave items in the pod that can be destroyed or choked on.

Step 4.

Leave the door open while they get familiar with the pod.

Step 5.

Speak positively and reward them verbally along with treats and lots of pats for going into the pod.

Step 6.

Use a command to associate them with entering the pod, like “Pod”, or “Inside”.

Step 7.

Start with a couple of seconds and work your way up to longer time periods, ensuring your dog is always calm and optimistic about entering the pod. Put it on cue with the high value rewards and allow your dog to enter the pod by choice. It is important not to compel or force your dog to enter and stay in the pod.

Step 8.

When you feel your pooch is feeling safe and relaxed, try closing the door and wait outside for a few seconds, working your way up to longer time frames, depending on your dogs level of comfort.

Always return to the dog BEFORE they are uncomfortable. This is key to the successful training.

We hope these steps help to ease your pooch into the pod, it can take a little practice and getting use to.  If you need any more help or assistance we are always available for a chat at 1800PMINDA or you can email us at info@petminda.com.  We are also available to come and meet you on site to assist you with the pods.

LOVE the Petminda team 😀🐾

– Laura V is an expert animal behaviourist, she’s also a published author, speaker and trainer you can check out her webpage HERE.

Happy International dog day!

By Blake in Petminda Posted August 26, 2021

If you cannot adopt a dog, another great way to support canines in your community is to volunteer at a local shelter. No matter where you are around the world, there are sure to be plenty of dogs in need. You can support them by signing up as a volunteer and visiting the shelter regularly. Volunteers often walk or play with dogs, clean cages, or assist with any other task the shelter might need help with.

3. Donate to animal welfare organizations.

Don’t have time to volunteer? There are other ways to help dogs in need. For example, you could donate money to a rescue or animal welfare organization. Also, shelters are often in need of blankets, dog food and toys. Often, you can drop off these items directly at the shelter anytime; we recommend calling your local rescue or animal shelter beforehand to ask what they need.  At Petminda we support the Lost dogs home who do amazing work in the Melbourne community, you can help them by donating here:  https://dogshome.com/donatenow/

4. Take your dog out.

If you already have a dog, then ask yourself: What does my dog love most? Visiting their friends at the dog park? Swimming in the lake? Maybe visiting a special cafe, where dogs can eat too? Whatever it is, treat your dog to their favorite activity on International Dog Day.

5. Get active with your dog.

Support your dogs physical health a wellbeing by engaging in some fun, moderate physical activity together. Take a long walk, run, hike, play together, go to the dog park, or go swimming with your dog. To ensure that your furry friend gets the right amount of physical activity.

6. Spoil your dog with a new toy.

Speaking of fun activities, what dog doesn’t love a shiny new toy to play with and unleash their energy on? If you need some ideas.

7. Teach your dog a new trick.

No matter how old your dog is, it’s never too late to learn something new – in fact, engaging your dog in mentally stimulating activities can help prevent dog dementia and add to a long and healthy life.

8. Hire a professional pet photographer for a fun photo shoot.

You and your dog might already have an active social life and a close connection. So why not showcase your furry friend to the world, by having professional photos made of you and your dog? Your social media followers will thank you for the cute pics!

Whatever way you choose to celebrate your dogs day we would love to see a pic showing us how you are celebrating with your pal, simply tag @Petminda in your social post.  We will choose a lucky winner to make it an extra special day for your pooch!

Want to keep your pup safe while you pop into the shops?  Check out https://petminda.com/ and let us know where you would like a pet pod.