Crates Help When Planning for Travel
July 24, 2003
Shelly has hurricanes and pets on her mind. She asked me to clarify a few rules
regarding the use of crates. She is considering training her dog to use one in
the event that she evacuates and stays at her parent’s home. She wants her dog
to be welcomed by mom and dad who have never had a big dog in the house.
Crate training is popular and used by many people on a regular basis. It’s most
helpful if you acclimate your pet to a crate before requiring him to live in one
for a while. The golden rule is that your dog should be able to stand up fully
without crouching, lie down on its side with legs extended, and turn around
without touching the crate’s sides. However, if you’re using the crate to
housebreak your puppy, do not get one that is too large as your puppy may
urinate in it.
The basic crate types are wire, plastic, and EZ styles.
Each type has pros and cons. The wire crates work well in our climate because it
provides nice airflow. They can usually be collapsed for travel or sliding under
a bed when not in use. However, they can be very heavy and are not suitable for
airline travel.
The plastic crate is the right choice is you travel by
plane with your pet. It’s the only one permitted as it is generally lighter than
others. It’s also a good choice if your dog will get too excited by all the
activity in which he is not participating. The crate limits a dog’s visibility.
However, this crate may be harder on your pet if there is restricted airflow or
high humidity, common in Louisiana. It is also difficult to store when not in
use.
The EZ crate is lightweight and is sometimes called the “suitcase”
crate. It folds and comes with a plastic pan that can be removed. Because it’s
so light, it may not be suitable for big, active dogs.
It’s important
that the crate be placed in an area where your family spends lots of time. Dogs
are social and expect to be members of the family, as they should. You want the
crate to be a positive experience. Please be mindful of leaving your dog in the
crate for too long. Living in a small space does not lead to a high quality of
life and it may increase your pet’s frustration. If you crate your dog at night,
don’t leave him in there all day while you work. Puppies, of course, cannot stay
in for long periods of time because they have little bladder control.
If
you’re staying in a hotel with your pet, it’s a good idea to crate him if he’s a
chewer. Be sure to walk him regularly and leave him out of the crate when you’re
with him.
It takes weeks to months to train your dog or puppy. Don’t rush
it. I encourage you to check out a few websites or books to learn more as this
column cannot do an adequate job in discussing the many details. There are
definite do’s and don’ts. You might begin at
http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm; they have many good articles on behavioral
issues.
I’m seeking behavioral expertise often these days as I consider
how we’ll handle my family’s four dogs, one cat, as well as my office dog,
during an evacuation. Moving 400 animals from Japonica Street’s shelter out of
harm’s way is not an easy task either. Preparation is key when planning to
travel with pets.
- Laura Maloney
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