Re: Keep that crate! :-)

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

>
>So, my question would be, should I put her in the crate every now and again
>just to keep her acclimated to the idea and space?  I understand the problem
>I could encounter, should she ever need to be in there for her benefit or
>mine.

Yes absolutely. It's my theory that a crate should be avail at all 
times.  Though Ruby Rose doesn't "use" her crate on her own I am willing to 
bet that she will down the road and or that even now you might observe that 
she maybe goes off and sleeps under things?  This is den behavior.  Some 
are more den like than others.  Kaycee for example who btw was only my 
second golden and I didn't enforce crates then like I do now as I felt they 
were cruel to some extent, loves her crate.  If there is an avail. crate 
during the day she's in it.  If not she is under a table or something den 
like.

A while ago Judy was placing one of her older dogs and I was there when the 
dog was going to it's new home.  I was able to glean from her words to the 
new family.  The family asked if they needed a crate?  Judy told them that 
when you change a dogs living situation having just one thing that is 
something the dog is use to will make the transition for the dog much 
easier.  She sent a crate home with the family.  The one thing in this dogs 
life that would be totally familiar and easy to send along.

Also if for any reason your dog has to be confined at the vet or on a trip 
where better to do it than a crate if they are use to it?


>Also, want to let you know that she has stopped the shedding which was a
>result of the anesthesia she was given when spayed.  Got to tell you, I just
>love my puppy!  Carolyn...

Yes yes the spay shed!  Happens with the boys too!

Gina