Benefits of Crate Training Your Dog

Using a crate can get a bad reputation when we talk about animal husbandry. The truth is, crate training is one of the best things you can do for your pup. When I refer to “crate training” I mean keeping your dog comfortable staying in the crate for a few hours while you are home AND away.

A lot of people believe that their dog does not like the crate. What I see happen more often than not is that the dog has learned that when they go into the crate their owner is leaving, or going to bed. This connection can create some reluctance when going into the crate because dogs rarely want their best friends to leave. Believe it or not, if used properly the crate can be one of the best ways to reduce the possibility of separation anxiety. If we can break the connection between the crate and the owner's departure then we can disrupt the anxiety from building.

The crate gives the dog a safe place to relax and unwind. Dogs and humans have social batteries that need to be reset in a comfortable environment. We can create this environment in a predictable manner with the crate. The crate also creates a safe place in new places. We can carry the familiarity of the crate into the vehicle, to a family member's home, or to a hotel or rented vacation property. The crate can also keep your pup feeling safe and comfortable when your home may become hectic with guests or events.

Lastly, we hate to think of the worst case scenarios, but that is where crates become necessary. Heaven forbid you end up in some type of accident and in the hospital for an extended stay. Your pup may need to be boarded or taken care of by a pet sitter. The crate can help with this transition if it ever happens. Also, here in western Pennsylvania we don’t have a ton of natural disasters, but in the rare event of severe storms or outages, dogs that can be kept in crates are the first to find shelter in communal spaces.

The crate is a great way to create a comfortable familiarity for your pup in all kinds of environments. It can keep your dog safe and happy as they navigate our human world.

Happy training!