Pet owners, handlers, and trainers are now using crates to relieve pet anxiety and as a space for training puppies into adulthood. With crates, can develop a lasting ability to self-soothe in a place they can associate with safety and comfort. The Paws Room provides exactly that.
Influenced by a dog trainer who advocates crate training for calmer, happier dogs and collaborating with local industrial designers, The Paws Room founder Eliza Kennedy is helping Aussie dogs to feel happy and safe at home in style.
The pet furniture collection is locally manufactured and eco-friendly with a design aesthetic that aims to fit in beautifully at home.
“I wanted a crate that looked like it belonged in my living room and could be equally used as a table or bench,” said Eliza. “The goal was an easily assembled, durable crate solution that could help with calming a puppy, as well as provide a lasting sanctuary for them into maturity. For me, it’s about the value of investing in our dogs’ happiness.”
With social responsibility also key to the business, The Paws Room has partnered with national charity Happy Paws Happy Hearts, which rehabilitates animals and people through programs in animal shelters and wildlife sanctuaries nationwide. The Paws Room donates a percentage of profits and pet furniture to support HPHH programs and help educate pet owners about crate training.
Benefits of crate training, when done properly
A dog trainer with Happy Paws Happy Hearts, Justin Palazzo-Orr, has been an advocate of crates for the past 14 years of working with dogs.
“There are many benefits to crate training a dog, may it be a puppy or a recently adopted dog. It helps them establish a safe space they can go to, somewhere familiar or to get away from other people or animals while they are still getting used to them,” he explained.
“Crates are also beneficial when traveling with dogs. Just like people travel with a caravan to take a piece of home with them, a crate can be a little piece of your dog’s home when they travel. Be it pet-friendly camping, accommodation, or visiting family for the holidays.”
But some people are unsure about using crates because of the stigma attached to ‘sticking your dog in a cage,’ he said.
“Also, I’ve seen some horrible footage online of people using crates in very inappropriate ways. Like with anything, it’s important to know how to use crates in a way that is safe and that the dog loves. Each dog is an individual and the key is to make the crate the best place in the world for them,” he said.
Justin advised starting training with a sturdy crate that is big enough for your dog to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around in as well as a bit of space on either side of them.
“We use Paws Room crates in our facilities because they are functional, really sturdy, have great ventilation, are very easy to clean and maintain, and unlike most crates, they look the part!” he said.
Here is a step-by-step video on training a dog to use a crate.
What to consider if you’re using a crate…
- Do not leave your dog in a crate for a long period of time as it can become distressing for them.
- Never use the crate as a form of punishment – remember, it’s a safe place for your dog.
- The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in as well as a bit of space on either side of them.
- Beware, if some crates are not assembled properly, they can collapse and cause the dog physical harm.
- A crate with bars that are extremely close together can restrict the air allowed to circulate within and cause extreme discomfort.
- Don’t put your dog in with a collar or leash as it can get caught on the bars and cause strangulation.
Teddy, Coco, and Jack
With a focus on local design and production, sustainable materials, and a minimalist aesthetic, Eliza partnered with industrial designers Charles Wentworth and Carl Behrendorff.
Together they created Teddy, the stand-alone crate, Coco the couch companion and Jack, the cladding solution for those wishing to transform an existing crate into a stylish and multi-purpose piece, available in a variety of sizes.
“We are lucky enough to live in an Arcke-designed house and love the architect’s signature use of birch plywood. It seemed the perfect material to blend a stylish home for our dogs with our home. We use premium birch plywood with a clear laminate for easy cleaning,” said Eliza.
Having experienced the frustration of dog-chewed timber furniture in the past, Eliza worked with the designers to protect Teddy’s plywood fins and intended visibility with the use of perspex sliders and lockable doors. A new design is also coming that incorporates powder-coated metal rods with the birch plywood top.
“We believe that dog and human decor can be seamlessly integrated, and The Paws Room’s furniture aspires to enhance feelings of connection and create a sense of belonging for all the family,” she said.
Interested pet owners can take a look at The Paws Room showroom in Brisbane.