The Talk

Dog crates can be a wonderful management tool, a safe retreat, and a place of comfort.

However, increasingly, crates are being used as a shortcut; to avoid training, instead of being a step along

the way; to confine, rather than treat underlying problems. So, let's talk about crates and the ways in

which their use is (and isn't) recommended as well as the advantages of using crates (e.g. house training, prep for

travel/vets/confinement, use during dog sport events). This talk will cover the following: Physical and

behavioural concerns about overusing crates (lack of choice, five freedoms, boredom,

management/bandaid solutions rather than teaching appropriate alternative behaviours). Discussion of

countries where use of closed crate confinement is banned.

The Presenter

Dr Jen Nesbitt-Hawes BVSc (Hons) MVSt (Wild Med) MANZCVS (Vet Behaviour)

Dr Jen graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, and a strong interest in behaviour, from Sydney

University in 2001. She started work in mixed practice in Queensland and completed the CVE Postgraduate

course in Veterinary Behaviour in 2003. Her veterinary career has led her around the world, including

locum work in the United Kingdom, experience with game animals in South Africa, a Masters in Wildlife

Medicine (studying Orang-Utans in Sumatra) and back to small animal practice in Australia. Dr Jen

completed her Low Stress Handling certification during this time. In 2013 she attended the Natural

Encounters Contemporary Animal Training Workshop in Florida USA. In 2014, Dr Jen was accepted as a

Member of the Behaviour Chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science by

examination. Dr Jen’s experience running puppy classes and offering veterinary behaviour consultations

led her to developing educational materials to help pets and their people. In 2016 she founded Pet

Perspective, a business dedicated to supporting pet professionals by creating positive-reinforcement-based

resources for their clients. Dr Jen lives near Sydney, Australia and is currently being intensively trained in

the ways of small humans.