Val Heart And Friends LLC: Pet Training Tips: A Definitive Look At Crates & Harnesses

Guest Post by Amber Kingsley

As dog lovers, we all know the importance of 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 a proper diet and exercise routines. But when the subject of certain training techniques comes into question, sometimes the lines are split on two popular practices, the use of crates and harnesses.

When it comes to this controversial disagreement, why do so animal activists conspire to quell crate training altogether? Organizations like PETA, condemn this practice as caging your critter or 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 animals are left 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 might require them to be 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, and 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 into fire for all the wrong reasons, especially since they’re more adjustable, offer better control and are much more comfortable than traditional collars. Again, the problem usually arises from owners who don’t understand the concept of a multi-faceted harness when 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 an unperceived 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 and can also be clipped to a seatbelt in an automobile.

Hopefully, all of this will put to rest some of the myths and uncertainties some people may have had about the use of these devices.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock and Amber Kingsley