The “pro” side of crate training

Video: The Benefits of Crate Training Your Dog

Having trouble housebreaking your new puppy or adult dog? One method used by many dog owners is crate training. What is crate training you ask? Basically this is using an appropriately sized wire or plastic “crate” or cage to keep the dog in during the many different phases of training the dog or puppy. Normally crate training is used for housebreaking a puppy and adult dogs but there are other uses as well. With this in mind here are the pros for crate training for using this training method.

Pros for crate training

It is important we understand dogs are “den” animals by instinct. Watch how your dog fluffs up his or her favorite blanket before finally laying down, or the way dogs select one particular location in your home as their favorite spot to lie down. This is the denning instinct in action, and why the pros for crate training far outweigh any negative reasons many people toss out against this technique. Your dog, when correctly introduced to their new crate, will soon spend much of their time in the crate as this is where they feel comfortable and it is “their” personal space. This is their “dog cave” — their safe place.

As described in an article on the HumaneSociety.org website:

Crate training uses a dog’s natural instincts as a den animal. A wild dog’s den is his home, a place to sleep, hide from danger, and raise a family. The crate becomes your dog’s den, an ideal spot to snooze or take refuge during a thunderstorm.

Video: Pointing Dog Puppy Training

The pros for crate training puppies during the house breaking and chewing stages all puppies go through. Due to the denning instinct a puppy or adult dog will not do their business where they sleep, so when the pup is in the crate at night they will let you know by whining or barking they need to be put out for bathroom time. As they mature, a puppies ability to hold their need to go out for eliminating will increase, and they will hold it until you return from work or shopping.

If you travel with your dog they are much safer in a crate than roaming loose in the vehicle. On planes it is required your dog be crated, so the flights will be far less stressful for the dog if they are already crate trained and comfortable in their own safe spot, the crate.

Video: Cocker Spaniel: Crate Training

Once you have an appropriately sized crate begin introducing the pup to his new environment by always leaving the door open and placing their favorite blanket and toys in the crate. Let them slowly adjust to spending time in the crate before you close and latch the door. Place the crate in an area where they can see you and then begin to feed the pup in the crate. The pros for crate training will result in a housebroken puppy far quicker and reduce the stress on both of you.

How do you feel about crate training? Comments and advice are welcome below.

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