Back to Crates

No, the Lab Brats weren't bad enough to warrant bringing back their dog crates. You see, within the next couple of weeks, this Labrador mommy will be not only heading to San Francisco for a long weekend business trip but also returning to corporate life soon after, which will take me away from my beloved dogs for 8 hours away every weekday.

Neither Dakota nor Cheyenne remember being without me for a long period of time. When we brought Dakota home, I was able to work from home for the large Internet organization I had been employed with. Since then I have spent a great deal of time with both pups and they will need some comfort and peace of mind while I am gone.

Hence, the dog crates. Not to worry... they will not be crated all day while we are at work. However, the dog crates have always served as a "den" and comfort zone for the dogs whenever they want to get away, hide from something, or just sleep in peace. So, my present to them is that security blanket if you will... while their mommy is gone they have a place to feel secure... to come and go as they please.

The Lab Brats don't know what is going on. We set up their crates back in their bedroom last night and both took to them immediately. You could tell instantly that they both harbored hard feelings about them being taken away in the first place. They both kenneled up immediately and laid down... no need for commands and, of course, no need to close the crate doors.

There are still a couple of weeks until I leave for the west coast and then back to corporate life here in the Midwest but this will give them plenty of time to acclimate. We have learned over the years that the last thing you want to do is change too many things quickly on a Labrador Retriever. They need time to adjust... and the crates are just the first step at providing them with a reminder of the love and security they have in this family.