Guest Post courtesy of Amber Kingsley. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Val Heart & Heart Communications Enterprises Inc.
As dog lovers, we all know the importance of training (for example, crate training), especially when it comes to housebreaking and basic obedience. Pet experts and veterinarians agree when it comes to the necessity of putting dogs on a regular schedule along with proper diet and exercise routines. But when the subject of certain training techniques comes into question, sometimes opinions are split on two popular practices, the use of crate training and harnesses.
When it comes to this controversial disagreement, why do some animal activists conspire to end crate training altogether? Organizations like PETA, condemn this practice because they think that caging your critter is the equivalent of putting them in prison. When it comes to canines, they completely dismiss the concept that dogs are natural “den” animals and the vast majority of them feel safe and secure inside these types of temporary confines, the key word being temporary.
What Defines a Cage
If you were to Google “pros and cons of crating,” you’ll likely find only one negative aspect, the prison concept as described above. This is where owners leave animals confined for extended periods of time, but that’s on the owner and not the pet. That’s not what these types of carriers are meant to accomplish. When you think about it, they’re really a place for an animal to sleep and relax that happens to come equipped with a convenient door with a latch and a handle on top.
Unfortunately, it appears very cage-esque at first glance.
Think of it this way, what if your beloved pet has a medical issue that necessitates them to be caged or confined? Even a simple trip to the vet requires you to keep them contained for safety reasons.
Wouldn’t you rather your precious pet be comfortable within this environment rather than having to thrust them inside unexpectedly? Training a dog or cat to be crate-friendly is a relatively simple process.
News flash: it doesn’t mean you have to close and lock the door every time they go inside.
Harnessing a Habit
Harnesses often come under fire for all the wrong reasons too. They’re more adjustable, offer better control and are much more comfortable than traditional collars without the risk of breaking or misaligning their neck.
Again, the controversy usually comes from owners who don’t understand a multi-faceted harness compared to a simple collar. It’s not as difficult as it may seem.
Similar to crates, safely controlling your canine or feline far outweighs any concerns of a perceived notion of confinement. Once again, a quick Google search will find that many pet owners are unnecessarily concerned about restrictions and the aspects of a pet feeling trapped.
When compared to traditional collars, harnesses don’t choke the animal. You can also clip them to a seatbelt in an automobile which helps them be safer in case of an accident.
If you do decide to try the harness route, be patient. Get a harness with a front clip on the chest versus clipping the leash to their back. Which in the case of dogs turns them into sled dogs who can easily drag you down the street!
Hopefully, all of this will put to rest some of the myths and uncertainties some people may have had about the use of these helpful training and safety devices.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock and Amber Kingsley
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