Should I Crate Train My Dog?

Should I crate train my dog?

By LukEli K-9, Dog Training and Behavior Modification Professionals

Many dog owners struggle at one time or another with the question of whether or not to crate train their dog. Some consider it a horrible cage and shudder at the thought of tormenting their furry family member with doggie jail, while others rely far too heavily on the convenience of not having to monitor your pets actions leaving you free to pretend you don’t have the responsibilities owning an animal brings. I know of dogs left in crates for 23 1/2 hours a day regularly (they are let out every twelve hours or so for a few minutes) and I can tell you that I definitely don’t advocate that at all. It’s cruel, end of story. On the other hand, refusal to use a “cage” has resulted in adopted dogs being returned to shelters when well-meaning owners don’t know how to handle behavioral or training issues with their new dog.

Cain a 12 week old German Shepherd Dog Puppy,
taking a break in his kennel during Puppy Boot Camp.

There is some middle ground to be found between these two extremes, and we each come to it for our own reasons. Before I became a dog trainer, I used to be on the  “cages are cruel” end of the spectrum until i came home to my two 6 month old puppies and my utterly destroyed carpet in the living and dining rooms. Carpet, foam, cd’s, clothing, and everything else they could get their teeth on had been pulled up, torn down, and destroyed. I’m pretty sure I was about to breath fire. I was livid! That day I decided if they couldn’t make the right choices themselves then I was going to make the choices easy for them and went to purchase a crate. I figured they couldn’t tear up stuff if they couldn’t get to it and I was right! The boys learned to accept their crate(if only I had known then what I know now that process would’ve gone a lot smoother!), and eventually I ceased using it with them because it became unnecessary, though my dogs continued to sleep in their crate for a long time of their own choosing.

I now better understand the reasons why crates are beneficial to your entire family’s over-all well-being. They bring peace of mind to you and your dog gets a great hideaway! When introduced to crates correctly (check the next blog for tips on crate training made easier), dogs form life-long positive associations with their “den”. It can be a place they feel and are safe, secure, comfortable, and content during the times you can’t be with them. Safety concerns are at the top of my crate “pro” list as well. Your pet could easily ingest a foreign material while unsupervised and have a veterinary emergency if left to roam your home for hours. For fearful dogs, a crate can feel like the only safe place to relax. Crates can be used as training tools for dogs with behavioral issues as well. If you have an aggressive dog, a crate may be the only safe option when you have guests over. Crates are also an invaluable tool when house training a puppy or dog. Also, dogs generally are not very active when their owners are away. Most of the time they sleep, and a snug little “den” is a great place for a nap while they await your return. The list of benefits goes on and on.

In the end, your pets safety and well-being (not to mention the well-being of your house and possessions) will be greatly increased if you correctly use crates as training tools for your dog. You’ll be glad you did!

Make sure you check out the next blog, where I’ll discuss things to consider when choosing a crate, things to expect as your dog adjusts, as well as tips to make crate training easier.