In this article, we will answer the following question: Why does my dog pull his bed out of his crate. We also show some types of dog cages and what conditions they must meet so that your pet can feel comfortable and safe inside his crate.
Why does my dog pull his bed out of his crate?
The reason why your dog is pulling his bed out of his crate is that he is bored and he may need your attention and wants to play. For your dog, the entire house is a playground. So, why not move things inside out of his crate?
Besides that, dogs like to dig so they scratch and carry around their bed for fun too. In nature, dogs dig to find food, to explore and to hide food and it is something they love, that is why their beds are also their treasure caves and that is why they scratch them uncontrollably to have a good time.
Just as you arrange your pillows before going to bed, dogs rearrange their blankets and toys and the padding of their beds or the bed where they sleep to be more comfortable. Dogs that sleep outdoors, adjust the earth or leaves to make a bed and this behaviour also when they are on a mat or on the floor to try to make it more comfortable.
You may be thinking that the bed inside the crate is not comfortable or big enough – and you might be right. Try changing the bed or the blanket inside your dog’s crate and see his reaction.
In most cases, however, this is an invitation to play from your dog, and depending on your reaction and what type of behaviour you reinforce, he may or may not repeat this behaviour in the future.
Below we are going to discuss what a dog’s cage should look like, what should be inside it, so that you’ll know for sure that the reason your dog is pulling his bed out of his crate is just for fun, and not because he is uncomfortable.
How should a dog’s crate look like?
At times, it may be necessary to have to resort to dog cages. The reason may be a transfer, a trip or simply because we want to accustom the animal to not stress when it comes time to have to stay in it.
We start from the premise that regardless of the model and size are chosen, dog cages must be resistant, spacious and comfortable.
How to choose the perfect dog crate
Below, we are going to present a few criteria that you must take into consideration before acquiring a dog’s cage.
- The dog must be able to stand inside the cage if it so wishes
- Our pet must be able to lie down comfortably and have enough space to turn on itself without difficulty.
- The dog crate should be wide, but not so wide that the heat dissipates. It has to be spacious, but comfortable and welcoming.
- The door must have a closing mechanism that the dog, however clever, cannot open.
- The dog cage must be at least twice as wide as the dog; understanding by the width the distance that separates one side from the other.
- The height of the cage must exceed at least 5 or 10 cm, the distance that separates the ground from the top of the animal’s head when it is upright.
- The length (bottom) of the cage must exceed at least 20 cm the length of the dog from its muzzle to its rear (not counting the tail). If, for example, our dog measures 65cm high (up to the head) x 75cm long and 25cm wide, the cage must measure at least 75cm high x 95cm deep x 35cm wide.
These are the basic recommendations for transport cages or where the dog must stay for a relatively short time, as in the case of an aeroplane trip.
If the stay in the cage is going to belong, the measurements should be higher than those recommended for short stays. In cases of long stays (such as holidays), it is recommended to use large and metal dog cages, removable if possible.
Large cages are also recommended in the event that we want to accustom our friend to the use of the cage.
Types of Dog Cages
There are several models of dog cages with different materials and shapes. They can be square, rectangular or circular.
According to their material, we can classify them into the following types.
Polyurethane, plastic or metal cages
They are the most common for short trips and trips with small or medium dogs. They are often used a lot for occasional trips and visits to the vet, but also long trips and by plane. They have a plastic cover attached to the metal base with grids so that the dog has sufficient ventilation. They have a handle at the top, which facilitates transport.
They are very useful for transporting medium and small dogs.
Metal dog cages
They are recommended for medium and large dogs or dogs of all sizes during longer stays. They are more resistant than those made of plastic, although they rust easily with time and humidity. If they are painted or made of stainless steel, we avoid this problem.
Wooden dog cages
They are suitable to be used indoors and in places with low humidity. It can be considered as one more piece of furniture in the house and it serves us for things above as a table. They stand out for their elegance and warmth, although they lack the solidity of cages made entirely of metal. The quality of the wood is decisive in this regard. Not recommended for impetuous dogs.
Wooden and metal dog cages
They combine both elements and are often used, both indoors and outdoors. In the latter case, they are usually metal for the most part and, in many cases, removable.
Assembled dog cages
This type of dog cage allows it to be disassembled and assembled with relative ease in the place where we need it. In this way, we can transport the dog cage from one place to another more easily and without taking up so much space.
Caution: In the case of wooden and metal cages, we must take care that it does not contain splinters and edges that could injure the animal.
Recommendations on how to use dog cages
Whatever the type of cage for dogs, the important thing is that our friend feels comfortable in it and that has everything necessary to make him feel comfortable.
Blankets, mat or mattress, food and water should not be missing from the dog’s crate. The dog should not perceive the stay in its cage as a punishment. On the contrary, it is recommended to associate its use from a young age with positive reinforcement and that they perceive the place as their own space that must be respected.
It is important to keep the dog cage in perfect hygienic conditions. Let’s not forget that the accumulation of hair and debris is the origin of infections and parasites. It will be enough to clean the cage superficially daily and a little more thoroughly each week.
If we have just cleaned the cage, let it dry well and the odours are neutralized before the animal enters it. Some products and smells are not good for animals. Besides, the dog must recognize it as his private environment and strange smells can be quite unpleasant.
We must not use the cage for dogs indiscriminately or leave the animal for longer than necessary, inside it. Many owners leave the dog locked inside the cage. In this way, they avoid the responsibility of keeping the dog free for as long as possible. This is a serious error.
Click here for more information on how to clean a dog’s crate.
How NOT to use a dog cage
A crate is not a place of containment where you can leave your dog all day while you work to prevent it from messing around. If you can’t care for a dog, don’t have it. Keeping a dog locked in a cage for many hours is torture and reportable.
Do not force your dog to enter his cage ever, he must enter whenever he wants and he wants. Otherwise, they will get scared and they will never want to enter, do not make that mistake.
If you are scolding your dog because he did a trick and he runs to hide in his cage, do not take him out or lock him up, just let him be. He will feel that his cage is a safe place, a place that you should always respect.
Do not buy a cage of small size for your dog, the dog must be able to move inside the cage, turn around and lie down without a problem. Otherwise, it will be a small and uncomfortable cage that will cause stress and anxiety.
The cage is not a jail, it is only their lair, don’t forget this. It is not a place to lock up the dog when it bothers you, it is a place where the dog can rest and hide when your dog wants.
Conclusions
In this article, we answered the following question: Why does my dog pull his bed out of his crate. We also showed you some types of dog cages and what conditions they must meet so that your pet can feel comfortable and safe inside his crate.
In most cases when a dog pulls his bed out of this crate it is an invitation to play and have fun together. However, you also need to make sure that your dog feels comfortable in his crate. For this, follow his behaviour and do not be afraid to experiment with different materials and types of dog cages.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Why does my dog pull his bed out of his crate?
Why does my dog take his blanket out of his crate?
There are several reasons why your dog may be taking his blanket out of his crate. Maybe your dog is trying to build a nest, or he doesn’t like the smell of the blanket. Maybe he is too hot, or maybe he just wants your attention.
When should I stop putting my dog in his crate?
You should stop putting your dog in his crate for more than 4 hours at a time when they are puppies since they cannot control their bladder for so long. Also, when they are adults – dogs can learn how to move in the house without destroying everything.
Should you cover a dog crate with a blanket?
Yes, you should cover a dog crate with a blanket. It is recommended that the cage is covered with a cloth or blanket on all sides except for the entrance so that there is darkness inside.
Is it cruel to crate a dog at night?
No, it is not cruel to crate a dog at night. Crates are safe spaces for dogs, such as dens are for their ancestors the wolves. If your dog doesn’t mind staying in a cage during the day, there would be no problem sleeping in it during the night.
References
Aspca.org
Creedonsdogcare.ie
Rspca.org.uk
Pets.webmd.com
