To crate or not to crate? That is the question! The answer is much more straightforward than one might first assume. Yes!
There are circumstances in which crating your dog will cause more harm than good, such as with a rescue dog with previous trauma, but even then, you should try and crate-train them.
There are so many benefits to crate training your dog. Today, we will delve into those pros and discuss the different types of dog crates and the misconceptions that the crate brings, we will also look at how to crate train your dog.
Crate training your dog is not a reason to leave them home alone for 8+ hours. Ideally, no dog should be left alone for longer than 8 hours, and even that can be a stretch! While your dog may simply be a part of your life, you are their entire world. If you sleep for 7-9 hours each night and leave your dog at home for 8 hours while you work, that adds up to at least 15 hours without stimulation. This doesn't even account for the time spent cooking dinner, watching TV, or taking the kids to their activities or attending events of your own.
I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t have a dog if you can’t take them to work or work from home. I just encourage you to consider the kind of life you can provide for your dog and whether it’s fair to them. You can always hire a dog walker or pop home in your lunch break to spend time with your dog!
Benefits of crate training your dog:
One of the first things I ever did when I rescued Anayah (a German Shepherd/Husky Cross) was crate train her. There were several reasons for this, but the main one was that it created a safe space for her to go and hide out if she ever needed time away from the people in the home, including me!
When crating your dog, it is important to ensure you have the right size crate. Your dog needs to be able to stand up straight, lie down and turn around comfortably. If you are locking them in the crate while you are out, it needs space for a water bowl, too.
Some of the main reasons you should consider crate training your dog include (but are not limited to):
Creating a safe space for your dog
Dogs come into our homes as family members or working companions, and they have certain expectations from us! The hustle and bustle of daily life can sometimes overwhelm them. Just like us, they need a space to retreat for peace and solitude. TIP: If your dog chooses to go to their crate, let them be! This rule applies to everyone in the house. The crate should be in a quiet spot where they won’t be disturbed, making it a safe place they can trust.
Travel safely
Traveling with pets can be stressful and even dangerous if not done properly. There are laws in place to help reduce the risk of accidents when traveling with your pets. Dogs need to be safely restrained, whether that means using a harness, securing them in the boot behind a wire mesh, or placing them in a travel crate. The method you choose should suit both your dog and your family. For example, my dog Anayah gets overexcited in the car, doing happy spins and barking at passersby. To ensure safety for everyone, I crate her during travel and cover the crate with a blanket to minimize sensory input, which helps keep her much calmer.
Helps house-training with puppies
If bred and raised by an experienced breeder until they're old enough to leave their mother, puppies naturally want to avoid soiling their sleeping area. By crate training your puppy and providing the right-sized crate (or reducing the size of a larger one), they will learn to hold their pee and poop until you take them outside. It's important to establish a regular routine and let them out frequently until they're old enough to hold it for longer periods. Crate training not only aids in house-training but also creates a solid routine that puppies and dogs thrive on—after all, dogs love routine!
Encourage your dog to rest, nap and settle
Adding naps and downtime to your puppy's or dog's routine is incredibly beneficial and considered good practice. A dog that understands when it’s time to 'chill' and rest gives you the freedom to work or attend to other tasks without worry. By allowing your dog to spend time in their crate, you help them learn to settle and be calm, which is essential for their overall well-being.
This downtime not only provides them with the rest they need but also reinforces the idea that their crate is a safe and comfortable space. Over time, your dog will associate their crate with relaxation, making it easier for them to unwind when needed. Plus, it creates a balanced routine that contributes to a happier, more content pet.
Keep your dog away from guests/tradesmen
Some people simply don’t like dogs, while others prefer not to be jumped on while enjoying their tea. Tradespeople often want to focus on their work without a dog getting in the way or chewing on their tools. Having a dog that is accustomed to their crate can be very helpful in these situations, especially when you have visitors or workers in your home. Some friends and family will love having your dog around, others might not. It's always best to ask before they come over.
Before I moved into my home, we had lots of painting and cleaning to do. Anayah was wandering around, and one of my friends had let the carpet fitter in without warning me. The next thing I knew, the carpet fitter was at the base of the stairs with a German Shepherd hurtling towards him, barking with her hackles up. The man's eyes went wide with panic, and I quickly shouted, "She won't hurt you!", though I do not think I sounded convincing.
Rest assured, Anayah gave him a sniff and turned into an adorable puppy, wagging her tail and asking for pats. The fitter, thankfully, did not have a heart attack, though I learned my lesson to always crate Anayah before a workman/woman comes over, for their sanity as much as mine!
Anayah in her crate after her ACL surgery Safe place for your dog to heal from injuries and illnesses
As pet owners, it’s something we don’t like to think about—our dogs getting sick or hurt. But sadly, it happens more often than we’d like to admit.
When a dog is unwell, injured, or even just getting spayed or neutered, it’s super important to limit their activity and keep them from jumping or walking too much to help them heal. The easiest way to do this is by crating them. If you want to give your dog a bit more room, you can set up a safe pen around their crate.
When Anayah tore her ACLs, I built a bigger pen around her crate so she could stretch out and move a bit. She could eat and drink in there, and when I had to leave her, I’d just lock her in the crate. It helps to know they’re safe and able to recover, even if they protest about it!
Reduces anxiety around vet visits/stays
Also, if your dog ever needs to stay at the vet's for the day or overnight, they’ll be in crates or kennels most of the time. Vet visits can be stressful for both you and your dog, so it helps to know your pup is comfortable in a crate. Plus, it makes things easier for the vets and nurses. The last thing anyone wants is for your dog to be too stressed for the vets to do their job.
Take my mum’s dog, Cookie, for example. She’s a rescue from Romania and is scared of people and crates after being crated for much of her life after being pulled off the streets. When Cookie was spayed not too long ago, the vet nurses had to sit with her beforehand because her heart rate was too high for them to operate safely.
Having a dog that’s used to being crated can make the process smoother for all involved!
Prevent destructive behaviour when you are absent
Does your dog love chewing on things when you aren't home or busy with chores? Crate training can be a great way to prevent this! While you definitely shouldn’t rely on the crate as the only solution, incorporating it into your routine can help protect your sofa, slippers, and door frames. Crating your dog when you can’t supervise them is an effective option.
Remember, training should always be part of the solution. Teaching your dog what is acceptable to chew on and providing them with appropriate toys can help redirect their chewing habits; the crate is merely a tool to use, not the solution.
Types of dog crates
Soft-sided - usually used for smaller dogs/puppies. Not great for chewers or larger dogs, but pretty affordable. Collapsible and easy to store.
Plastic carrier/crate - Best for smaller dogs, a bit stronger and a solid shape so bulkier to store. Still affordable. Not suitable for larger breeds or strong chewers.
Travel crates - specifically designed for cars/transport. Strong and safe if you were to be in an accident while travelling with your dog. Suitable for most dog breeds. Heavy, costly and harder to store but could save your dogs live.
Metal/wire crates - Come in all sizes, inescapable for most dogs, most common type of crates found in homes so easy to get a hold off and many can be bought cheaper 2nd hand. Heavy, bulky though many can be folded down for storage. They can be expensive.
Heavy duty - Best for dogs who can escape normal crates or destroy them. Very expensive, super heavy and bulky. Not 'pleasing to the eye'.
Furniture - Many homes now have built in crates or purpose made furniture with crates built in. These look amazing, are space saving and can be discreet, too! Super expensive but worth the cost if your all about looks. Many can be made into tables or desks with additional storage for dog items.
Common myths about dog crates
They are cruel
Actually, the opposite is true. Crates can be a great safe space for your dog! Use a crate responsibly and you will have no issues. Crates can be cruel if misused, but if you understand the benefits and safety of using them, you have nothing to worry about. If anyone tells you otherwise, you can list all the benefits of crating your dog, now!
You can leave your dog alone for hours in a crate
Nope, not true! Typically, you shouldn't leave your dog alone for 6 hours, though 8 is considered "okay". But 8 hours is a long time to be confined to a crate alone. Leaving toys and food-enrichment items in the crate is a bad idea, what if they were to start choking or get it stuck in their mouth? You should always keep fresh water in the crate with them, and they should have enough space to turn around and stand up straight. If you need to leave your dog in a crate for a long period, ask a neighbour, friend, family member or dog sitter to pop in and let your dog out to the toilet and give them some stimulation and exercise. Never leave them in a crate for longer than 8 hours, and even that's a stretch!
Crate training is hard!
Wrong again! It took me a week to crate train Anayah. Though, because her crate is large enough, I sat inside it with her to encourage her in. We will go through how to crate train your dog in the next section, but with patience, consistency and positive re-enforcement, it's a fairly easy thing to teach. Yeah, it's easier to teach a puppy, but adult dogs are more than capable of learning, too. Anayah is proof of that as I rescued her aged 4!
You can use the crate as a 'naughty corner'.
Nope, nope, nope. Your dog's crate should be a safe, happy and calm place. If you send your dog to their crate every time they are naughty, they will consider it as a bad place to be. Yeah, if they get over excited, you can get them to wait in their crate until they calm down, but crating your dog should never be a form of punishment. Creating a negative association with the crate can install fear in your dog.
How to crate train your dog
Start by introducing your pet to the crate. Set it up in a quiet and cozy spot, but close enough to the main areas of the house so your dog doesn’t feel isolated. Adding a cover or blanket can make it feel safer and more inviting. Allow them to explore the crate at their own pace, and consider placing their favorite toys or treats inside to encourage curiosity. Once they seem comfortable with its presence, begin feeding them their meals in the crate to create a positive association.
If the crate is spacious enough, you can even sit inside and play with them, which helps reinforce the idea that it's a fun space. Adding some bedding on the floor can help muffle any noise when they enter, move around, or exit the crate, as this can sometimes deter dogs.
For now, leave the doors open. If your crate has two doors, start by closing one and then gradually work up to the main door. Begin by simply closing it and reopening it right away, showering them with praise and positive reinforcement. Food can be a great motivator at this stage, but remember to reduce treats over time so your dog learns to use the crate without expecting food each time.
Next, try closing the door for a few seconds, gradually increasing the duration as your dog becomes more comfortable. Once they’re okay with being inside, start leaving the room for short periods, again increasing the time gradually.
If they begin to bark or whine when left alone, take a step back in the training process and go slower. Sometimes, training can progress faster than your dog is ready for, leading to stress or anxiety.
Train in short, frequent sessions, and always end on a positive note!
I hope this post has been educational and that you now know the benefits of crate training your dog! There is so much controversy about the topic, and we have busted a few myths often associated with crating dogs. Now, you can choose what type of crate best suits you and you even know how to train your dog to use their crate! Do not panic if they do not choose to use their crate without your instructions at first. It might take some time for them to come to trust and enjoy the crate. Anayah seemed to find comfort in it after tearing her ACL's. I also crate her if I am cleaning with the vacuum, mopping or using a spray bottle (all things that trigger her due to past trauma), that way she knows she is safe and I can clean in peace!
I will crate her, too, when we have been on a long walk or she has been active a lot of the day to force her to rest/nap. As a puppy, she was never taught to nap, so it's my job to do it!
See you next time!
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