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<DIV>If the idea of crating your dog seems unappealing, think about emergency
situations and how nice it would be if your dog had a crate he/she liked so that
if they HAD to go into one, they would be ok. Also, most of the time you leave a
dog at a vet or groomer, they go into a crate or a space the size of a
crate.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>You don't have to use a crate every day, but it is nice to use treats and
chewers to get a dog to like their crate. I always start with the door
completely off, and if a dog is afraid, I take off the top/door and/or tape
the door back and then slowly add both for short periods when they are
comfortable. Then you gradually extend that time.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>If the dog ever cries, whines or other problem behaviors in a crate, I do
suggest that you then wait them out until they stop for at least the count of
three. Better to have the door open than to hit this point, but if you do, and
you let them out "mid-fit" you teach them to throw a fit to get out, so I also
recommend crate practice during the day until you have a nice calm dog before
you send them in at night. When you get to night readiness, then be ready
to turn out lights, TV, etc., and the dog should go to sleep when you do in a
darkened room. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I also recommend that the crate be in a common room or bedroom, unless
there is a strong need for the crate to be elsewhere, but to put the crate where
you won't hear crying will frequently make any anxiety worse.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Sara</DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Vote for your city's best dining and nightlife. <A title="http://citysbest.aol.com?ncid=aolacg00050000000102" href="http://citysbest.aol.com?ncid=aolacg00050000000102" target="_blank">City's Best 2008</A>.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>