Houdini in the Blue Fur: The Great Crate Escape Episode!

Hello, fellow fur enthusiasts! It’s me, Echo, your bootylicious Blue Merle Australian Shepherd with the baby blues to make you swoon! You may know me as a purveyor of puppy antics and an expert cuddle companion. But today, I bring you the tale of my most daring escapade yet: My Great Crate Escape!

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Echo the Australian Shepherd laying in front of his dog crate surrounded by dog toys

Now, let’s set the stage: Picture this: I’m nestled in my trusty crate, which, to be honest, feels pretty cozy. But as any adventurous pooch will tell you, who wants to stay inside when there’s an entire house to explore? The night before my epic breakout, I observed my teenage humans fumbling with the latch to the side door on my crate, it appeared loose. So like the canine version of Houdini, I locked that faulty little mechanism in my memory!

The next afternoon, the moment of truth arrived. My teenagers, bless their hearts, (they really do aide me the most in my mischief), decided to leave me alone with nothing but my thoughts (and shock and gasp only 5 or six bones and toys). As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, I took a deep breath and put my plan into action. I reached for the latch with my nose – a sly maneuver worthy of the grand Houdini himself! With a quick Boop and a shove, CLICK! Freedom rang through my furry ears.

I sneaked out of my crate like a ninja in the night, using my new super-secret escape door. For a moment, I envisioned the great Houdini himself applauding my brilliance from his heavenly realm. "Bravo, Echo! If you only had a tail, you'd be wagging it in triumph!"

Soon I was snoozing spectacularly on the couch, belly up and not a care in the world. I drifted off secure in the knowledge I would hear Mom and Dad when they pulled into the garage thus having plenty of time to re-enter my crate through my secret door. And that shredded tennis ball in the kitchen... that had to be one of my brothers. We'll blame the old guy he doesn’t have a clue what's going on anyway.

But alas, my plan failed spectacularly. Mom walked in (apparently, she leveled up her stealth parking and house entry skills while at work today), spotted my belly-up position, and burst into laughter, shouting, “Echo! What did you do?!” Busted! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of realizing you’ve been busted by a human while sleeping like the world’s greatest doofus.

Panic surged through me! I leaped off the couch and flipped onto my back, rolling over like a fur-covered jester. I thought, “If I play dead, she’ll never know it was me!”

So, my great adventure ended with me getting a bath (totally unfair, considering the great Houdini was never known to take a bath after escaping, right?) a thoroughly embarrassed woof and dad fixing the latch.

Why Crate Training Is Still Important for Your Furry Friends

Now, dear readers, as much as I enjoyed my little taste of freedom, I must confess: crates can be a helpful tool for us pups, especially when used correctly! A crate provides a safe space when things get overwhelming, and it helps with potty training too. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), crate training can help dogs feel secure, reduce anxiety, and prevent destructive behaviors.

So, remember: while I may have found my way out this time, crates are not just for confinement; they can provide a sense of security and comfort for dogs when needed. (Source: American Kennel Club, AKC.org (https://www.akc.org)). And check out the links below for some of my favorite dog crate boredom busters.