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Originally Posted by Halanna
So what is with crate training? Why is it seen as so important? Is it the only way to potty train? Is there any way to do a modified crate training with say a puppy playpen kind of thing? I've read that they really like their crates but I can't seem to get past that I'm "stuffing" her in a box.
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Dogs are cave/den animals by nature. They feel safe, secure, and at home in a proper crate. Having a dog without a crate is like raising a kid without them having a bedroom.
I'm not advocating keeping them in there 18 hours a day by any means, but having that space for them is key. It is NOT for punishment, ever. It is where they go when it is time to sleep, or time to be quiet. If they are properly crate trained, they will grow to love their crate. I have found that my Bullmastiff will go get in his crate on his own after his last potty break in the evening. Sometimes we leave him loose in our bedroom (where his crate is) at night, and invariably he ends up going in there and sleeping in his crate anyway, even with the door open.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Halanna
Yeah Martian, but the breeder is pushing "raw" food, that commercial food is bad for her, raw eggs, canned mackeral/salmon, raw chicken wings/backs, yogurt, canned duck/rabbit/venison, stuff like that. Then the remainder is feed her food from the table, leftover rice, noodles, veggies, meat etc. should be scraped into her bowl.
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Many commercial foods are bad, or at least not that good. Look for something whose first ingredient isn't grain or rice or some other filler. That is exactly why I've went with Blue Buffalo.