Crates - A Safe Space

Jessi teaching crate training! And explains the importance of teaching companion animals to be comfortable in a crate or carrier. Featuring not just a dog and cat, but a skunk and parrot too!
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[@KaiSeaD]

I've been watching your videos for a while now and I noticed you have great presentation skills. You speak using hand gestures as well as inflections conducive to a great public speaker. it makes you very easy to watch and absorb information from your videos. I just wanted to say keep up the good work Jessi and Agusto and I enjoy watching your videos!

[@JoylynnGerow]

I hope Gaia, Pickles, Zoe, and zapper are enjoying more gifts. Your videos are so interesting and great to watch. I think you are awesome to be such a haven for all these unique animals, reptiles, etc. Stay warm!!! Joylynn in Michigan

[@hnryodl]

Our dog loves his crate!

[@jaynestrange]

Another good thing about crates: if you have small kids around, you can teach them that they should not bother the animal when it's in the crate. ("the kitty is having naptime now, she doesn't want to play") That way when the dog or cat wants a little alone time they can get it, which usually leads to them getting along better with the kid!

[@davidf2244]

That's brilliant. Makes so much sense.

[@voyagerabove4034]

I'd also suggest personalizing a crate. Stuff like adding a nicer bed or putting them in there with a toy. Make it THEIR crate. It's also good to explore the different types of crates (I think plastic crates like those shown in the video aren't very good for hot climates), and some animals might be more comfortable if their view isn't restricted to the front door. And you can always just throw a cover on it.

[@animalwondersmontana]

+VoyagerAbove Great additional points!

[@voyagerabove4034]

***** Including yourself?

[@andrewwood1364]

Thanks for this, I always feel bad putting my parrot in a travel crate, but I think these tips will help a lot.

[@fromscratchauntybindy9743]

Also coming from an Aussie point of view - I used crate training for a few months on the lead up to a relocation flight from Perth to Melbourne and it worked wonders for my rescue small dog - she was still in shock when I picked her up from the airport after the flight but I can inky imagine how much worse she'd have been if I hadn't put in the effort. As for in the car - I get the safety aspect of crating - but it would take a lot of the joy of a car ride out of it - I'll be sticking to an Australian Standards Approved car dog harness for that. Thanks Jessi - hope your new Mink is doing well ☺

[@hywodena]

my dog seems to think of my bed as her safe space. when we were both younger (I got her when I was ten) I needed her with me while I slept because I was afraid of the dark. she's slept in my bed almost every night since, and now she thinks of it as a resting place. She's there any time she rests, and now its a place that seems to relax and comfort her

[@Gamerkat10]

Our dogs definitely think of their crates as their safe place- all three of them! The most nervous one skitters in there with his blanket whenever a loud noise scares him, and the other ones like to sleep in there sometimes! (Sometimes our cat goes in one of the crates and that dog hates it... that's the closest thing to an issue we have, haha)

[@BirdyNerd]

I have a retired racing greyhound (a Craigie Whistler pup, like Lemon) and have chosen to continue crating her when I'm not home. A lot of people in my life criticize me for this choice, but she really does prefer to be in there when I'm not home. In her previous life at the track she would have spent the majority of her time in her crate/kennel when she wasn't training or racing, or zooming around the turn out area with her kennel mates; so it was already her safe place, and the best option to keep her and her kitty sister safe when I'm not home to supervise them. She's been home for over 2 years now, and still makes a beeline for her crate in the morning when I'm about to leave for work, waits patiently inside for her cookie and ear scritches, before getting comfy and falling asleep. Crates are such wonderful tools when they're used properly, and I only wish I had a car big enough to fit a greyhound sized crate.

[@culwin]

+Lauren B Yeah, prisons are great for people too! I bet you would like being in a cage half your life.

[@BirdyNerd]

Oh surprise, surprise, someone disagrees with me on the internet. Feel free to check out my channel to see just how happy and well adjusted my dog is.

[@culwin]

Lauren B Keep telling yourself that.

[@picis735248798]

+culwin Well, they should be, but after coming out of prison there is stigma associated with the person, which doesn't make it easy to fit into society. Also dog isn't human.

[@culwin]

Schnappi fckingcrocodile Nah, dogs are human. That's just science.

[@donteverftba]

Jessi, you should specify that the crate in a car should be a plastic crate or a special crate for a car such as a variocage. A wire kennel can collapse on impact, crushing the dog, making it just as bad, or worse, than if the dog weren't crated at all.

[@renschuon4992]

I've never felt that feeling you talk about in the beginning of the video...

[@darkangel21892]

I seatbelt the crate under the handle and tighten it so the lap belt portion holds it in place.

[@Erin-S]

I watched this last week and found it super helpful (and timely). We crate trained our kitten in just a few hours so she would be comfortable when we had to take her to get spayed the next day. She was super chill in her crate and still likes to hang out inside. Thank you! :)

[@animalwondersmontana]

Awesome!! So happy to hear this!

[@PinkChucky15]

Great tips! :-)

[@benjaminnroberts]

I recently got a jenday conure and I named it after yours!!! (His name is Ecuador)

[@gingerr8015]

We always gave a command "go to you crate" and my dog would run there eagerly and wait for her bedtime treat

[@maryHK852]

Hey Jessi, My dog has really bad separation anxiety, to the point where he rips out the fur on his paws and scratch his face till he bleeds. He has a skin issue cause we live in a humid climate. But I don't know how to help my dog with his anxiety, because the only temporary solution we have at the moment is putting a cone on him to prevent him from scratching and ripping. It would be great if you can give me some advice, as my dad doesn't believe that he has anxiety and thinks that he is just bored. Thanks again Jessi! Love your videos!

[@Soldier842]

Our parakeet LOVES his cage! By now we often keep the cage open for weeks, but whenever she gets stressed out, needs some time alone or whenever it gets dark at night she goes back to her save cage.

[@Fredjikrang]

Jessie, I recently adopted a dog, and she is great, but she does have an issue when she can't see me. I have been working on crate training her, and she will go into her crate on command, she eats there, and sleeps there at night (with the door open.) She seems to be comfortable in her crate, but as soon as I leave the room she starts whining and trying to get out. I know that she has some separation anxiety issues, since she tore the door frame off of one of the bedroom doors when I left her alone one day, and I am trying to use her crate to help her feel comfortable being on her own, but it doesn't seem to be working. I want what is best for her, but I can't be with her all the time, and while I have her in doggie daycare right now, that isn't really a viable long term solution, and doesn't help when I have to leave her alone while I run errands and do other not-dog-friendly things on the weekends. Any suggestions?

[@IsuckatTetris]

Are the foods behind you all Mazuri brand? I use the Rodent blocks for my rats and mouse, but add dry grains, legumes, some dried fruit, dry pasta, dog food, etc to the pellets for variety.

[@IsuckatTetris]

also, where do you find the containers? I think they would make cute Betta habitats when a sponge filter and mini heater are added.

[@r.b.4611]

A funny way to make a crate seem attractive is to show the animal a toy stuffed with food (or hell just food), then throw the toy in, and close the door. When the animal gets slightly desperate to have the food, open the door and let them in. Voila, good first crate experience. (Source, Ian Dubar www.dogstardaily.com).

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

I use their crates as their beds so thier beds come with them when they travel. Fireworks still invade their safe space in the crate. I know cause I wear one of my dogs as a hat every Halloween.

[@biggesturtle]

Really love these pet care videos. I've been having some problems with one of my cats that I've been hoping you might be able to provide some advice for. We have 2 cats, and one of them really likes chewing wires for some reason, and it's led to some pretty serious damage to some of our more expensive items in our home. We've tried really hard to hide the cords, but cats being the way they are make it very difficult to do that effectively. Is there anything we can do to try and minimize this behavior? Or some way to direct it towards objects that are less expensive and potentially harmful?

[@SerendipitousSky]

Any advice on crates for very large dogs? Like, a crate large enough to comfortably accommodate my dog will just not fit in my car. Do you have any tips or ideas for what I could do for him during travelling and vet visits?

[@crystalsnowleperd951]

My cat disposes. He pefurs and to sit on my lap with a harnesses and leash. I think just feals safer that way, and I don't have to hear him cry and act like I'm hurting him even if he dose have treats in the crate.

[@marchmacabre]

My dog likes to stay in the bathroom x

[@stevenellis9801]

How about for a mature dog that has never been crated before? Would a spare bedroom work as well, when home? My dog has a fear of loud.noises. Thank You very much and Love your channel.

[@animalwondersmontana]

You can always introduce a dog to a new crate. If you make the experience enjoyable it doesn't matter how old they are. A spare room is good to keep them out of your business and it could be a comfort zone, but it won't create the same safe feelings that a smaller space will. A small den-like hiding place is great for creating that calming effect, especially for dogs who react to loud noises.

[@seanmarshall8713]

I have an idea do a video about the pros and cons of adopting really young puppys vs like 8 mounth old puppys vs like a 8 year old dog or something like that

[@madisontalcott3382]

Sean Marshall personally I've done all of this and I must say out of all my dogs I bonded most with the two year Yorkie I rescued. While I do love the puppy I got at 8 months, he just didn't bond to me like the dog I rescued! But it really depends on your situation and the animals personality. Good luck! (:

[@joevandeventer883]

Is there a training resource you would recommend for future dog parents?

[@Ashes719]

I only wish people crated their dogs when taking them on the bus ... always worried I'm going to accidentally step on a paw or tail when one of those pups is underfoot! Oddly, it seems unique to dogs - any other type of animal I've seen on a bus or train where I live has always been in a carrier.

[@kpopo1271]

pleaaaaaaas Do more leopardgecko stuff 😀😀😀

[@BlueAloe47]

Do you have any advice when you adopt an older animal who may have had bad experiences with crates/carriers and is afraid of them?

[@SuperRodimusPrime]

That was very helpful. Thank you for making this video.

[@bertramcosta481]

Hi i have a meyers parrot and he is okay tame but i can not cuddle with him. Does anyone have some advice 😊

[@abcisme]

What about going to work or school for long hours? What then? I feel so bad leaving my dog alone in her crate (the "crate" is really a pen but still ☹️)

[@wingstaylor4068]

hey i work as a pet nutritionist in a pet store for your doggy use it little bits throughout the day as well as the long periods when u go to school so the dog doesnt associate you being gone with the crate! dogs can be in a crate for 6 hours ish as long as its not a puppy - if you recorded your dog for the day it would be sleeping for the 6 hours anyway

[@LeoMes01]

meet and greet snake

[@evaweiand310]

We crate trained our cat to help with going to the vet. Everything worked really well until we actually had to use the crate to take her to the vet. Now she hates her crate because she associates it with the vet. Do you have any advice as to how we could fix this?

[@evelynsnyder5866]

If she runs and hides when you bring the crate out, just leave it out at all times. She'll get used to it and it'll be like a piece of furniture basically. After she gets used to it being out all the time, retrain her that crates equal treats etc.

[@MusicFreak6893]

my cat doesn't seem to have a problem with the crate itself. she'll sit or sleep in it from time to time on her own, but when I put her in there to take her in the car is when she resists. it seems more like she doesn't want to be in it in the car more so than just be in it at all. I even feed her in her crate, sometimes, and it doesn't seem to bother her at all, but in the car she cries and has even thrown up and peed during the ride (separately. and there's only been one time when the ride was longer than an hour). I've tried, since she was a kitten, to give her treats during rides, but she won't touch them. and she doesn't seem to understand the connection when I give her treats once we get to the destination. people tell me i should just take her on a bunch of short car rides to get her used to it, but it stresses her out so much, I feel bad making do it more than necessary and these rides (to my parents house, which she likes) are already semi-regular. I obviously don't want her to be scared, but I just don't know what to do at this point :(

[@animalwondersmontana]

+MusicFreak6893 Is it specifically the car she doesn't like? Or is it when you shut the door, or start moving the crate while she's in it?

[@MusicFreak6893]

+AnimalWonders Montana most of the time she doesn't start crying until the car is moving. she does resist being put in the crate, but I'm pretty sure that's because she can tell we're about to go somewhere. like she might go hide when she sees me gathering the laundry up (typical washing machine-less college kid) or going in out the door a few times taking things to the car.

[@animalwondersmontana]

+MusicFreak6893 I sounds like she could really benefit from smaller steps toward the main goal - being calm in the crate while it's moving. Is she's to the point of crying out by the time the car is moving, she's most likely already nervous before she's in the car. Instead of taking such a big step from having an open crate that she 's comfortable eating in to shutting the door and driving in the car, I'd break it down into many smaller steps. Make a list from 1 to 10 and each number has one step toward your goal. 1 could be shutting the door while she eats. 2 could be picking the crate up a few inches and setting it back down. 3 could be moving the crate from the floor onto the counter. And so on. That way it's not so abrupt and scary when the crate goes from a place of "no big deal" to a terrible place to be because moving is scary. Good luck with your little furry friend!

[@plubassmusician]

What if my dog cant handle me being out of sight when he is in his crate? lots of whining and barking. is there a way to help this?

[@animalwondersmontana]

+Derek Curtis-Tilton You need to take smaller steps toward getting him comfortable with being in the crate itself with the door open. Some suggestions: put a soft blanket or dog bed in so it becomes a place of relaxation and not a place where he's anxious about you locking him in an leaving him. Try putting the crate in a room that you'll be spending a lot of time in, like TV time, online time, or homework where you're still in sight while he learns that it's okay to fully relax and even take a nap inside the crate. Always give him a big treat when you're about to leave his sight. Good luck!

[@rayhs1984]

It is a large metal cage type, but my brother has a German Shepard that loves his crate for when he is left alone at home. My Brother just Yells "Load Up" and the dog runs straight to his crate and lies down.

[@culwin]

This works with my mother in law. I just leave a couple of KFC double-downs in her room, and I can lock her in for the night.

[@notmatt2270]

Hmm. Crate expectations.

[@wwaxwork]

I find this interesting because I have had dogs for year but have never used crates, crating dogs seems to be an entirely American phenomenon as I don't remember seeing them in any other country either, at least in regular use. All my dogs have had dog beds that were considered their own space. Coming from Australia though most dogs have access to full fenced backyards which we'd consider a necessity, but seem hard to find in the US. It's funny how what one country might consider a "necessity" for a dogs happiness isn't even though of in another country.

[@animalwondersmontana]

+wwaxwork Thank you for your viewpoint from another country! May I ask how you transport your dogs to the vet clinic when they need to go? Many Americans will often forgo a crate as well, which is why I wanted to talk about it :)

[@Blazesong]

+Leah go to city farmers, they sell them if you realy want one but they are costley

[@Blazesong]

+AnimalWonders Montana most people just put there dog in the car , some are trained to sit on one seat others are allowed to move about , or even use dividers to stop dogs geting in the front , i have a dog seat belt for my dog but we find no use for it any more as my dog has self trained him self to lay in the footwell of the back seat behind the driver. show dogs tend to be crate trained and some bigger dogs are (iv only seen two huskys and a dane that are not show dogs in crates in cars)

[@genetsandjazz]

+wwaxwork That just shows that people have their own way of doing things and eventually delude themselves into thinking it should be the only way. Unfortunately Australia's wildlife is under a huge threat from free-roaming cats because of the freedom believers.

[@genetsandjazz]

LittleDunMare Your cat shouldn't have had the opportunity to fail at hunting. Did you just SIT there while your pet could have possibly killed a wild animal??

[@CordeliaEarle]

Totally random question. Did you get engaged or have you been engaged for a while and I missed it? If yes, congrats x

[@tronix2125]

She is engaged

[@duckpondwithoutducks]

She's actually married. It's her and her husband who run Animal Wonders. In one video she mentioned they have twins.

[@LaurenVBaney13]

our dog that uses a crate is over 70 pounds and her crate weighs atleast 30 pounds. no way that thing is coming to the vet with us.

[@animalwondersmontana]

+Lauren Baney Totally not suggesting you try to carry the crate with your dog inside and load it into the car! Haha! Our 110 pound Great Pyrenees loved his crate. We'd load just the massive crate into the back of our car and then, with some help, he'd climb up into it. This is how he always traveled. When we got to the vet, we'd check in and he'd stay in his crate outside until they were ready for him (we'd open the back door if it was a hot day so he wouldn't overheat). He would always rush back to the car after his appointment was done and couldn't wait to get back into his safe space.

[@seanmarshall8713]

it seems like the family dogs safe place is under my bed

[@Pokemonlin99]

Interesting. That's very helpful! (First.)

[@pandaabro5484]

Damn animalists now want save spaces for animals too, huh? That's going too far. The world is not save and the animals will have to learn that! (Just poking fun at the ongoing discussions about save spaces on collage campuses that is raging on the net, don't worry ;-) :-D )

[@salvatoreshiggerino6810]

We should crate train the social justice warriors. That way they can finally have their safe space.

[@noname-wx8qq]

We should crate train the edgy parakeets like you who only seem to know one joke they repeat constantly.

[@kdoyle0305]

she can't talk without using her hands. lol