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The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the US Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.
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If your first reaction of a crate is,
"I don’t want my dog in a cage, that looks cruel"
Please read on.
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A crate is used as a tool for the use of housebreaking
and confining your dog so it can be safe when you are not at home. It is
also used for transporting your pet in any vehicle, on camping trips, in
hotels, or taking your pet to a friend’s house. Think of the crate as a
den, a safe place, a room, time-out for your dog. Dogs are den dwelling
animals and like small spaces. The dog should be exercised regularly and
spend more time out of the crate than in the crate. Always use the crate in
a positive way and never as a punishment. If used correctly, your pet will
go into the crate on it’s own. Remember to keep the door open when your pet
is not inside for easy access. You must believe this is a good place for
your pet and convey that to your dog in order for your pet to believe it
too!
You need to set-up the crate in a central part of your home, in the living
room, kitchen or family room. Some trainers think placing the crate beside
your bed, especially helps a young dog feel less abandoned if they can hear
you breathe.
Food or water bowls should never be placed inside the crate. We recommend a
set feeding and water schedule to be adhered to in order for the dog to
establish timely body functions. At no time can a dog be placed in the
crate without knowing it eliminated, both pee and poop or giving it time to
do so.
Crate time vs. age of the dog. At 3 months and younger a puppy can only use
the crate for confinement for only 2 hours at a time without going outside.
Serious crating can begin around 4 months. The 4-month-old puppy begins
with only 3 hours maximum in the crate. For every month over 4 months you
can add an hour. (5 months=4 hours.)
Expect training to continue through the age of 6 months. Be consistent for
success. DON’T STOP USING THE CRATE… continue to use the crate through the
age of 2 years.
Let’s Get Started… It’s 6am, grab your coat, boots, treats
leash before going near the crate. Open the crate door, hook the leash on
the dog without saying anything except outside and go potty. Take the dog to
the place in the yard your want the dog to go. Say the command word,
“potty”, “park-it”, “go”, you decide. Everyone must use this word each
time. When the dog eliminates, say the word, get an excited voice and
reward NOW with a soft piece of food and instant praise. DON’T
WAIT TO GIVE THE TREAT WHEN YOU COME INSIDE!!!
Another common mistake here is taking the dog for a walk to pee or poop.
Don't. Teach your dog to eliminate in your yard first. That is where it
will need to go on a cold, snowy day.
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5am - 7am Dog goes out to pee first.
Feed by placing the food down for only 15 min. If they don’t eat it all,
pick it up until the next feeding. Remember you are training and must get
the dog on a schedule. Leaving the food down will only set the dog up to
fail by pooping in the crate. Check the clock… Take the dog outside. Young
pups usually eliminate within 5 min. If the dog does not poop, bring back
into the house after 5 min. and place in the crate… Do not allow the dog
to run around the house. Wait for another 15 min. try again outside
giving the command. Continue trying outside for 5 min./crating if he does
not go and repeat until the dog goes. Check the clock and note how long it
takes from the time the dog eats to when it goes. This should be a
beginning for you to gauge giving your dog enough time.
Before leaving the dog in the crate for the day take them out one more time
to pee. Give your word for the crate, “bed, “crate”, “kennel-up” etc.,
music, a safe toy, and leave without a lot of gooey good-byes.
After the dog has eliminated he can play freely in the home or area you
have for him to be until time to go into the crate. Potty time is every
hour or two after play or after sleep. If you can’t watch your dog at
any time, place them in their “room” crate until you can give your full
attention. Older dogs won’t need as much supervision out of the crate.
TIME OUT OF THE CRATE SHOULD EXCEED TIME IN. Water is limited when housebreaking
a puppy. Give drinks 3 to 4 times a day. Take water away no later than 7 pm
to ensure a dry night. A dog under the age of 7 months cannot be crated all
day without being let out.
4pm - 6pm Feed the dog. Check the clock. Usually the dog will eliminate
3-4 hours after eating. Younger dogs will poop several times a day as where
older dogs only 2 times. Exercise is the key to crate training. Same
applies, when the dog is not being supervised they are crated until they
need to eliminate. If the dog poops 2 hours after the PM feeding, then they
can stay out of the crate supervised until taken out at that time.
Continue to take out often during the evening every few hours, praising
each time with voice and rewards. Bedtime Again, your dog has gone out
several times, but give one last chance to go again before bed. Crate your
dog at night. Once housebroken, they can be trusted to sleep elsewhere or
just leave the crate door open. Usually, after 6 months the dog is out of
the crate at night. Keep using the crate through the age of 2 to get
through the chewing stages when you are not home. THE FIRST TWO NIGHTS ARE
THE TOUGHEST… If the dog whines, ignore and don’t take them out of the
crate. Wait for at least ½ hour and quietly take the dog out, giving the
command. Give 5 min. to go outside to go potty, and return to the crate. Do
not play with the dog and Do not give in on this introduction. The dog is
OK and only trying to see what it can get away with.
If the dog poops or pees in the house and you don’t see it happening,
you can not discipline, pick up the mess
with a paper towel and place the paper towel in the yard in the place you
want the dog to go. If you see the dog going in the house, clap your hands
and say NO. Never drag the dog to push his face in the mess. Pick up the
dog and take it outside where you want the dog to go, saying your command.
Give it a few minutes and return inside. Don’t act angry. This only
confuses the dog. It’s over. Accidents can be prevented, crate if you are
not supervising.
IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER THE FIRST WEEK, CALL US AT 726-1961!!!
We can help. Prevent bad habits from forming early on. Older dogs can be
housebroken with a crate and needs the same schedule but can go longer
before eliminating.
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