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| The Original Pet / Animal Classifieds & Breeder / Service Directory, exclusively for MN, ND, SD, WI and Surrounding areas! | |
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PET TAXI’S AND PUPPY TRAINING A guide to proper training with a Pet Taxi/Kennel, from Midwest Pet Finder By L. Hooker - Owner/Operator - www.MidwestPetFinder.com (20+ Years of Experience in Animal Training) So you have gotten a new puppy. Friends, family, and even sometimes, the breeder have told you that the best way to train your puppy is to lock him in a "Pet Taxi". Why, You say? Simply put, because an animal usually won't go potty where it sleeps. The problem with this is, if the animal is confined in a small space too long, it will go potty right where it lays. After all, nothing and nobody can hold it forever. Especially a puppy, who has a very small bladder. These "Pet Taxi" trainers ultimately find that the puppy develops serious behavioral problems such as: urinating every time you speak, nervousness, anti-social behavior, nuisance barking, hyper activity, and even aggression. Not to mention, that once the puppy starts going in the pet taxi, he will always go in the taxi. It is often hours that it sits in a puddle of urine, or mashed feces. This results in urinary tract infections, worms, and other health problems for the puppy. Imagine that you are an inquisitive little puppy. The world is a new and sometimes scary place. You want to grow, learn, and investigate it. At the same time, you have just lost your mother and siblings, and are now surrounded by strangers. Now imagine that someone locks you in a space, only large enough to turn around, and lay down. Your only view of the outside world, is through air holes, and a small piece of fence. Someone comes and lets you out for an hour at lunch time (if your lucky). Then they become irritated with you because you are being very hyper, and won't settle down. So they lock you back in the box. Do you think you may go insane?? It really doesn't matter, because the puppy definitely will. Puppies need air, sunshine, exercise, companionship, food, and fresh water, just like you. Without these things they will become depressed, unstable, ill, or ultimately die - just like you. If you don't have time to properly care for a puppy, OR if you are so concerned about your home being damaged or dirtied, or even if cleaning up after a puppy seems like too much of a hassle to do everyday, then I beg of you, Don't get a puppy. It will not be a happy experience for either of you. "Pet Taxi's" were originally designed for the safe transport of your animal. And Yes, they are an effective training tool, IF used properly. WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO USE ONE? It's simple really. The "Pet Taxi" should only be used at night, when the house is dark, and everyone is asleep. The pet Taxi should only be large enough for the animal to turn around, and lay down. The puppy should not be contained for more than 8 hours, out of a 24 hour day. Take food and water away from the animal around 6:00 p.m. Then make sure to take the puppy out before you go to bed. Stay outside with the puppy, until it has both urinated, and defecated. Put the puppy in for the night with a blanket, or towel. And if possible, have a radio on near the taxi. In the morning, puppy comes first. Take the puppy outside, and make sure it goes before coming in. Give it food, and water. When it is done eating and drinking, take it out again. Puppies will generally have to go within 15 minutes of eating or drinking. If you have to go to work, Either set the puppy up in a room (such as the kitchen), and use a child gate to keep it in. Or let the puppy be out in the yard all day. If you choose to leave your puppy outside while you are gone, make sure it has a shelter for shade and protection from weather conditions. In either case, it should have plenty of food and water. Puppies are growing, and need to have access to all the food and fresh water they want, throughout the day. Preferably weighted dishes that cannot be tipped over. In closing, if your puppy is spending more than 8 out of 24 hours in a pet taxi, you are abusing him. Please reevaluate your situation, and make the necessary changes.
Any form of animal containment crate or cage, falls under the term "Pet Taxi". This photo shows 2 enclosed types, But there are many varieties, including all wire. |
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