Should You Crate Train Your Dog

To many pet owners, crating a dog, even for a little while, seems like a terrible punishment. But dogs can see a crate in a very different light, and crate training is important for your dog’s long-term health.

These are like time out corners for your dog.

Just as a time out is not the right method for a small baby, the crate is not the best choice for a new puppy. But you will need to start soon, because crate-training should start when the puppy is still young. It’s nice to cuddle your new puppy, but you will want to crate him for a while daily. Your puppy will not chew the house up when you’re gone if you leave him in the crate until you return. It will also train them to not gnaw on other household items such as your favorite pair of shoes or the cord for television cable.

Even after housebreaking and the worst of the chewing is behind a dog, some animals still do better if crated. Some dogs that are known to be particularly hyper tend to mature into more relaxed dogs as they age. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety may find comfort in the smaller space of a crate and avoid the worst symptoms.

When implemented correctly, your dog will treat the crate as their own personal space. It becomes a place they can go when the environment becomes too stimulating or when they are just tired. Experts say not to use the crate as a punishment, but they may independently go there themselves to calm down.

Even if you have an outdoor dog, crating still can have benefits. If your pet becomes ill, requires grooming, or needs to be boarded, he may need to stay in a crate at the vet’s office, grooming facility or kennel. Dogs that are used to the crate, even if it isn’t a part of their everyday life, will be less traumatized by the experience.

Choose a crate that is at least 6 inches longer than your dog will be when grown and tall enough to allow him to stand up and turn around comfortably. Your options will include plastic forms that can also be used as carriers for transporting your dog, soft sided cloth carrier/crates, collapsible or semi-permanent wire enclosures, and some that are designed to resemble furniture. Be sure to create one with enough light and visibility for your puppy to be comfortable.

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