Crating: Cruelty or Kindness?
Many people view a crate as a jail for the dog. These people reason that a puppy/dog needs freedom and crating will cause your dog to resent you. However, many families who want to protect and care for their dogs use crates to keep their pets safe and secure when their pet is alone, traveling, during times of stress and for bedtime. Dogs need to satisfy their "den dwelling" cravings and they love a secure place of their own where they feel safe. Even older dogs can be crate trained. A common cause for puppies and dogs to be surrendered to a shelter is destructive behavior and/or not being housetrained. These are preventable problems that can be easily solved with crate training.
The crate can provide you and your puppy a means of housebreaking, of keeping your household items safe from destruction, and provide a quiet environment safe from harm when you are not home or asleep. As your puppy grows, the crate continues to be a safe haven and a place to go when they want to relax and sleep. In fact, many dogs often seek the comfort of their crate when distressed by fireworks or bad storms.
CAUTION : A crate should never be used as a punishment. Be mindful not to use a crate to baby-sit your dog when you don’t have time or don’t want to be bothered by your dog. Dogs are social animals that crave and deserve your companionship, praise, exercise, and mental stimulation.
Don't leave your dog in the crate too long. A dog who’s crated all day and night doesn't get enough exercise or human interaction and can become depressed or anxious. Puppies 8 - 16 weeks of age should only be crated 2 - 4 hours. Leaving a puppy or dog in a crate for long periods of time leaves the puppy no other choice than to soil their cage teaching them that it is ok to live in messy conditions. This defeats the purpose of housetraining.
A crate may be your dog’s den, but your dog will not be happy living isolated all the time from your family. A good rule of thumb is that an adult dog can be crated overnight or for up to half a day, provided you are meeting your dog's social and physical needs when outside of the crate.
What You Will Need
An acceptable cage or crate should be big enough for your puppy/dog to stand, turn around, and stretch out flat. Be sure not to get a cage too big as this will sabotage housetraining because they can soil at one end and sleep at the other. You can obtain a cage that has a partition that can be removed as your puppy grows.
Crate Training During the Day
While at home, start acclimating your puppy to the crate by leaving the door open and allowing the puppy to go in and out at will. Put a blanket or bedding, treats, and some toys in the crate. This reinforces that your dog's crate is a place of safety and comfort. Begin by closing the gate and leaving your puppy inside for about 15 minutes at a time. The puppy may whine for a short time, but then should settle down and sleep. Do not open the crate while your puppy is whining as this teaches the puppy that you will let them out any time they whine. Whenever your puppy wakes, immediately take your puppy out of the crate and outside to "potty." Remember to give your puppy lots of opportunities to potty outside when hanging out with the family, praising and encouraging the desired behavior through consistent repetition, treats and physical affection. Also, take your puppy outside shortly after eating and drinking and always before placing in the crate. (These are the most common times a puppy needs to go out.)
Crate Training for Bedtime
Placing the crate in your bedroom gives your puppy association with you. Place a washable blanket, old unwashed t-shirts that smell like you and a few toys into the crate with the puppy when you go to bed. Avoid using newspapers as this may encourage elimination. Again your puppy may whine for a short while but should settle down and sleep. Very young pups may wake in the night and you will need to take them out. Resist the urge to scold a puppy if they soil in the crate and instead use positive training methods, offering lots of praise when the puppy “potties” outside. As your puppy grows so will your pup’s ability to sleep through the night.
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Heatstroke occurs when your pet's body temperature gets too high. Dogs and cats dissipate heat by panting, but in some conditions, that's not enough to adequately lower their temperatures.If you suspect heatstroke, get your pet cooled down and contact your veterinarian or take your pet to the nearest emergency clinic
Avoiding Heatstroke
- Heatstroke can happen while you are exercising with your pet OR when your pet is somewhere that they overheat. Even if your dog has been exercising with you all year, remember as the temperature starts to rise so will your pet's body temperature. Try to exercise first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
- When a dog is left outside, the dog must always have a shady shelter and access to cool water - do NOT place water where it is sitting in the sun.
- When an owner leaves a pet in a parked car, even with the windows open, temperatures in a car can climb to lethal degree levels within minutes. (Even if the temperature is in the 70's or 80's.) NEVER leave your animal unattended in a parked car.
- NEVER leave your animal in the back of a pickup truck. There is no shade and also the bed(floor) of the truck bed becomes scorching hot quickly!
Signs of Heatstroke
- Excessive panting
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Very red gums.
- Pet is walking very slowly or oddly.
- Has collapsed and/or becomes unconscious.
- Notable lethargy or odd behavior, seizures
- An elevated heart rate - Normal heart rates: DOGS - 70-160 beats per minute, CATS - 160-240 beats per minute.
If You Suspect Heatstroke
- Move your pet to the shade or preferably inside to an air conditioned area.
- Apply cool water NOT cold water. You can submerse your pet in a sink, bathtub, or wading pool for 'a minute' or so at a time. If you are not able to lift your pet, you may use a garden hose to wet your pet down with cool water. (Make certain the water is cool because sometimes water coming from a garden hose can be VERY hot!) Start by wetting the paws, legs and neck and then wet the rest of the body.) If you do Not have a hose nearby, then wet towels (if you do not have a towel, then soak a piece of clothing) and place on your pet's paws, neck and head (do Not cover nose or mouth).
- Your goal is to get the temperature down to 104 in the first 10 to 15 minutes. In order to do this properly you will need a rectal thermometer or a digital thermometer. Lube the end with petroleum jelly and insert the end into the rectum. Rectal thermometers need to stay inserted for at least 3 minutes and a digital until it beeps. In order to keep your pet calm through out this procedure, have someone at the animal's head.
- IMPORTANT: Call your veterinarian AND then get to a veterinary hospital IMMEDIATELY!!!
NOTE: It is very IMPORTANT to seek veterinary medical advice as soon as possible since there can be serious conditions that can result from heatstroke that may appear only after several hours, such as brain swelling, seizures, kidney failure, and blood-clotting abnormalities.
Discovery Green - Discovery Green’s 11.78-acre site can be found in downtown Houston, across Avenida de las Americas from the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas Hotel. The park has many dog-friendly features, including the Kinder Large Dog Run and Harriet and Joe Foster Dog Runs which offer a place at the park for the four-legged family member. The dog areas have crushed gravel, fountains and seating. Open from 6AM to 11PM daily.
City of Houston Dog Parks
- Ervan Chew is located at 4502 Dunlavy. The dog zone is located adjacent to the picnic area and swimming pool. It is a fenced-in space, approximately 9,000 square feet in size and is designed to allow dogs to exercise freely.
- Levy Dog Park is located at 3801 Eastside near Kirby. The most recent renovation was finished in 2006 and includes a designated dog run. The new dog park is near the updated play equipment and the softball field.
- Maxey Park is located at 601 Maxey Road. This community park designated approximately 12 to 13 acres of parkland as a place for dogs. The area features a fenced-in space for the dogs to exercise off leash, and amenities include doggie drinking fountains, seperate areas for large and small dogs, a doggie shower, a waste disposal station and benches throughout the space.
- TC Jester Park is located at 4201 West T.C. Jester Blvd. This park boasts a 31,000-square foot run for big dogs and a 16,000-square foot run for small dogs, for a total enclosure of 1.08 acres. There are benches and dog drinking fountains in both sections.
- West Webster Park is located at 1502 West Webster. This dog park includes a 5,000-square foot dog run. Amenities for dogs and their people at West Webster Park include a drinking fountain and dog wash area.
Other Harris County Dog Parks
- Congressman Bill Archer Dog Park is located at 3201 State Highway 6 North. The dog park has 17 acres for dogs of all sizes to run off leash - large dog area is 14 acres, small dog area is 3 acres. There are also shade trees for the dogs and their owners and showers for the dogs.
- Danny Jackson Dog Park is located at 4828 1/2 Loop Central Drive, just inside the loop and just South of 59 - under the power lines, on Westpark Drive between Loop 610 and Loop Central. Large and small dog seperate areas each with a pond, new trees, benches, walking path.
- Gene Green Beltway 8 Park is located at 6500 E. Sam Houston Parkway North - the park dedicates more than four acres to canine cavorting. is divided into two sections for small (under 20 pounds) and large dogs and it includes a small pond. Each fenced area has water fountains, benches, a shaded canopy and waste disposal stations.
- Millie Bush Bark Park - Located in George Bush Park at 16756 Westheimer Parkway in West Houston, near Hwy 6 and Westheimer. Thirteen acres. Double gated & fenced, pick up bags, large and small dog areas (with large and small fire hydrants in them!) - doggie swimming ponds, water fountains, doggie showers, shade areas, benches, scattered trees, walking path, parking lot. Open 7 days a week dawn to dusk.
City of Bellaire Dog Park - Officer Lucy Dog Park is located at 4337 Lafayette in Bellaire, Texas.
Pearland Dog Parks
- Independence Dog Park is located at 3919 Liberty Drive. The park has colorful, sturdy agility equipment designed more for building confidence or just having fun, rather than for competition. Also benches, and a shade canopy.
- Southdown Dog Park is located at 2150 Countryplace Parkway. This park offers your four-legged friend open space to run free and socialize with other dogs. The whole grassy area is fenced off, and has a smaller area within it that is fenced in for dogs and puppies less than 25 pounds. The park also offers water fountains, dog waste stations and shade structures.
The Woodlands Dog Parks
- Cattail Park is located at 9323 Cochran's Crossing Drive in The Woodlands. Cattail Park is on the west side of Cochrans Crossing Drive, just north of the entrance to The Palmer Clubhouse/Golfcourse. It is approximately one acre + in size. It is separated into a large dog section and a small dog section. (Per Parks Dept Rules: 25lbs and under qualifies as small). There is a water source but please bring your own drinking containers for your dog(s).
- The Bear Branch Dog located at 5200 Research Forest Drive, on the NORTH side, west of Shadowbend. It is 2+ very shady acres, and it is separated into a large dog section and a small dog section.( Per Parks Dept Rules: 25lbs and under qualifies as small ). There is water available in both areas, many benches and of course, dog waste bags and waste containers.
Ella and Friends Dog Park - Located across from 500 W 13th Street in Deer Park. A two-acre dog park in Deer Park on 13th Street next to the Jimmy Burke Activity Center. The dog must be registered with the city to be allowed in. Registration can be obtained for $5 at the Animal Shelter on Luella.
