Why Should You Crate Train Your Dog?
Crate training is a vitally important part of bringing a dog of any age into your life and home. It is one of the fundamental components of developing a balanced, well-behaved dog. Dogs who are crate trained feel comfortable and relaxed having a secure den-like space of their own. Some people feel that a dog will be sad in a crate, or think it’s like prison. But the truth is that most dogs who are left out of the crate are far more anxious and stressed out. Free roaming for a dog is a huge privilege that needs to be earned. Being loose can be a great reward after establishing a habit of fantastic behavior and teaching your dog how to be calm. On the other hand, free-roaming can be overwhelming to some dogs who don’t know what to do with themselves, and try to cope by getting into mischief. Permission-based training is all about creating healthier patterns and using what’s in your environment to help your dog learn how to behave well and cope in the human world.
Here are great reasons to crate train your dog:
1. Free-roaming gives your dog opportunities to make poor choices based on impulse. If your dog hasn’t earned your complete trust to have free roam of your home, then he/she needs to be crated. It is better to be proactive instead of being reactive.
2. A crate is a key tool in potty training. A dog is far less likely to go to the washroom in a crate. It is essential that the crate is not too large for this method to be effective. The crate must be large enough for the dog to lay down comfortably, turn around and sit up without their head touching the top. Dog’s instinctively try to keep their sleeping areas clean. As such, the crate helps puppies learn to hold and strengthen their bladder and bowel muscles.
3. Crate training is an essential part of eliminating and preventing separation anxiety. It helps to teach your dog calmness during rest periods when you’re home, so the dog builds the habit of remaining calm when you’re home-and then when you're out. 4. Easier vet visits. If your dog should need to stay overnight at the vet’s, they will be far less stressed in the run or kennel at the clinic.
5. Limits damage in the house. Your dog remains safe and can’t destroy anything in your home, or chew/swallow anything that may harm them (electrical cords, small objects, etc.)
6. For rescued dogs, a crate provides a safe space to adjust to their new surroundings as well as the luxury of not having to fight for their own space. Crates provide comfort to rescue dogs, since they may be fearful around certain people or environments. This is particularly true for dogs with a traumatic past of neglect or abuse. Crate training will improve their confidence and can curtail problematic behavior.
Crates can also be misused and have a negative influence on your dog. Here are some uses to avoid:
*Never leave your dog in a crate for too long, especially puppies who have limited bladder control. If you must crate your dog while you’re gone, they must get a potty break and some exercise after about four hours (less for puppies). NEVER leave a dog in a crate all day.
*Make it a positive experience. Try feeding them meals or treats in their crate so crate time feels like a reward. A crate should NEVER be used as a punishment. In conclusion, when done correctly, crate training is just one great tool to help you properly train your dog. With consistency, patience and POSITIVE reinforcement, your dog will love its crate in no time!
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