One of the tougher decisions new pet parents face, is whether or not to crate train their new pup. Unfortunately there can be a negative stigma around using a crate for your dog. Arming yourself with the facts about crate training can help you make an informed decision. I personally feel that implementing a crate or kennel structure can be very beneficial for both you and your pup.

The negative thoughts that surround crates usually stem from a lack of understanding of the proper use of them. Some people abuse the use of a crate and use it improperly. This usually means they keep the dog in there for far too long or put multiple dogs in one kennel. But if done correctly crate training can be a very positive experience for you and your pup.  You will build trust will your pup and establish good boundaries and structure. This will only enhance your relationship with your dog. 

Crates Give Your Dog A Safe Space

Have you ever felt super overwhelmed? Or come home from a long day at work and just need some alone time in a space that’s just for you? Dogs can feel the same way. Personally I like to think of their crate as their own bedroom. It’s a space that is just for them, where they can feel safe and secure.  

Even dogs need their space sometimes, to recharge and relax. When you welcome a new dog into your home, it’s super overwhelming for them. You’re pup is getting used to you just as much as you are to them. It’s a new place, new sounds, new people. Giving your dog a place that is their own from the start, will help to build a trusting relationship.

If you have a puppy I always suggest getting a crate cover. This helps to block out some light and will buffer the sounds around them. This just helps to create a nice quiet space for them. A sound machine can be extremely helpful with an anxious pup. You can even leaving the tv or radio on for them. Hearing a constant noise can be soothing for them and ensures the dog won’t be over stimulated by outside noise, thus lessening their anxiety. 

Crate Training Can Help Ease Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is very common with new puppies, even older dogs suffer from it as well. Most of us are spending a lot more time at home these days. The more time we spend with our pups, the more anxious they can get when we leave. When you show your dog they have their own space to go when you are not home, it helps to ease their anxiety. Anxious dogs will most likely find ways to soothe that anxiety on their own. If left out and unattended this often means chewing on something they aren’t supposed to.

Curing a dog’s anxiety isn’t an overnight process. There’s a good chance your dog will still experience some anxiety when the crate is first introduced. However establishing a positive routine of going in and out of the crate will quickly teach your pup exactly what to expect. As you go through the routine with your dog, they will learn and understand that you will in fact be coming back for them. Most dogs are quite happy to go in their crate after some time. The more structure you give your dog, the less likely they will become anxious. 

Crate Training Will Safely Keep Your Dog In One place

Leaving your dog unattended may lead to some unwanted chewing and or accidents. This can not only be destructive to your home, but it can also put the dogs safety in jeopardy as well. You’ll want to puppy proof your house the best that you can. But dogs are sneaky and will always find something to chew on. Cords for example can be extremely dangerous to a pup if they get their paws on one. They could swallow a piece of plastic from a remote left out.

Crating your dog at night can also be an essential key to keeping them safe. I know some of us love having our dog in bed with us, and for most it’s ok. But for some it’s a chance to sneak off while you sleep. Crating at night will help give you the peace of mind that your dog will be safe when out of sight. This makes it so much easier for the both of you to get a good nights sleep. 

I suggest limiting what you put in the crate with your pup. As the things in their crate can lead to them chewing, and potentially choking or harming themselves while you’re away. You may want to remove their collar as well just to be on the safe side, but that is up to you. 

Help Make Overnight Vet Visits Or Kennel Boarding A Positive Experience

Now this is one I hadn’t thought of but I thought it was important to include. Thank you to my friends over at Canine Connection for pointing this one out to me. When your dog is crate trained, they are used to spending longer amounts of time in a space. If your dog needs to stay overnight at a vet, it can be very overwhelming, especially if they needed surgery. Overnight vet visits can be very stressful all on their own. You want to make sure your pup is as calm as possible when put into the crate they’ll be recovering in. This gives them a chance to rest and recover, rather than add anxiety to their already overwhelming state. 

Crate training can also help if you are in an emergency. Living in an area that has frequent hurricanes or other natural disasters may require you to be evacuated from your home. Having a crate trained dog means you can safely transport them with you without causing extra stress. It also can help if you need to stay in a shelter. Your dog is more likely to be allowed to come with you if they are crate trained. Even something like a fire can remove you from your home, and you’ll want to make sure your pup is safe and secure. 

If you are moving, your dog’s crate ensures that they already have a safe place to go in the new house. Moving to a new house can be very stressful for your dog, it’s a new place, and a lot to get used to. A crate helps to make your dogs transition into a new home a smooth one. This also helps to ease any anxiety your dog may be feeling.

Crate Training Shortens The Time You Spend Housebreaking

Potty training your pup can be a lot of work. Crate training can absolutely help with that. Dogs are less likely to have an accident in their crate. They want to keep their space as clean as possible. When the crate is the proper size, your dog is less likely to soil their bedding. This will help strengthen their bladder and bowel muscles so they are able to learn to hold it for longer periods of time going forward. Implementing a crate into your potty training routine will help shorten the amount of time you will spend housebreaking your pup. 

In saying this I am in no way suggesting keeping your dog in their crate all the time and only taking them out for potty breaks. Primarily I am referring to overnight. Keeping your dog in their crate overnight means that they will be in one spot. This makes sure they aren’t able to roam around the house and sniff around.

Limit What You Put In The Crate

Now I also want to go back to what I said previously about limiting what you put inside the crate with your dog. While most of the time the dog is not likely to go to the bathroom in their crate, this doesn’t mean it will never happen. I have made this mistake more than once, I put in a nice bed and blanket so my dog is more comfortable, only to wake up to an explosion of sorts. Let me tell you its much easier to clean up an accident if there is less in the crate to clean up. If you want to put something in your dogs crate with them I suggest making sure it’s minimal and easy to clean, like an old towel or just a blanket. You can start to add things into the crate as your dog becomes potty trained.

Do not feel guilty for putting your dog in an empty crate. This is for their safety, your dog will absolutely be comfortable even without a blanket or towel. 

Gives Senior Dogs A Place To Rest

As our dogs age, they’ll require more time to rest. Most of the time we only think of the right now, and don’t think of the dogs life later on so much. Senior pups need extra rest and quiet time, crate training can be so beneficial in the long run. Especially if they experience any kind of joint pain or health issues. The crate is a fantastic place for them to go and relax for a little bit and recharge. Some of our senior pups still have the mindset that they are puppies, so it’s nice to be able to help gently remind them they need a break here and there. 

Ensures Your Dog Is Safe While Entertaining Guests In Your Home

While most of us aren’t thinking of entertaining at the moment, it is something to keep in mind once we are able to again. Having more people than usual in the house can over stimulate your pup. It can cause a lot of anxiety for a dog that isn’t super social. Their crate is an excellent place for them to make sure they are in a calm state during your party.

 Keeping your pup in a crate during your party can also help keep them safe. It is very easy for guests to forget there is a dog roaming around. This can lead to someone leaving a gate or door open and your dog escaping.This has happened to me on more than one occasion, despite signs I have around on my gates to remind people to close them.  It also helps to make sure that while your guests are there, your pup isn’t getting into anything they shouldn’t, such as discarded food or drinks. 

Beneficial For Traveling With Your Pup

Long road trips or flying may mean having to keep your dog in a crate. When they are traveling in a car, keeping them crated can help make sure they are safe and able to sleep and relax. It also helps to keep them from distracting you while you drive. If you plan on staying in a hotel, some may require that your dog be crate trained to stay with you. Bringing a crate along also ensures your pup has their own space in a new place. 

Dog’s Are Naturally Den Animals

In the wild dogs will seek out small spaces to help them feel safe and secure. Providing them with a crate gives them the chance to fulfill  that instinct. Dogs want to feel like they’re a part of the family, but they also need a place to recharge. The crate gives them their own space while still feeling like they’re with you. 

When trained in a positive way, your dog will actually start to enjoy going in their crate. While my dogs are all fully trained at this point and can be trusted to be left out when we leave the house, they still enjoy spending time in their crate. We have a large crate in the corner of our dining room that we leave open, my german shepherd goes inside it daily. It’s the perfect place for him to go and relax while still being able to observe his surroundings. My yellow lab did exactly the same thing, and at some point when we thought he no longer used it, we removed it. Even after we removed it, he would still go and lay in the spot where we had kept it. 

While there can be a negative stigma around crate training, it really has so many benefits for both you and your dog. If done correctly, and kept positive, your dog will have a comfortable place to call their own, and you can have the peace of mind knowing your dog is safe and secure! I will have another post soon on how to properly crate train your pup! Be sure to check out some of our other posts!