—THOMAS A. EDISON (OVERHEARD AT A PARTY)
I decided to include a list of relative miscellany that has varying relevance in the lives of dog owners. As each dog is unique, so is the journey of training and acclimating each animal to its environment and people. While some of these things have been mentioned in previous chapters, forgive the redundancy (this apology is a long time coming, I realize) and allow yourself to record the information in two places.
Crates and tension gates offer myriad benefits for dog and puppy owners. They give them their own space, keep unsupervised dogs separated, limit the damage dogs can do around the house, are an excellent tool to treat separation anxiety, aid in housebreaking, and offer a place for dogs to unwind after exercise. The crate/gate is not a cage to lock a dog away; nor should it ever be used as punishment to “ground” your dog. A gate is sometimes preferable if space is an issue, since they can be placed in doorways. Gated areas should be dog-proofed, meaning all hazards are removed.
A crate should provide adequate ventilation, visibility, a soft dog mat, and water to drink. For a dog to acclimate to its crate, begin by placing special chew treats that the dog receives only in the crate. Use treats that would be of high value, such as marrow bones, toys that can be stuffed with peanut butter or turkey, and bully sticks. When you purchase a new dog toy, use the “go to crate” command and give the toy as a reward.