Crate Training

Many people feel crate training is cruel. I feel that allowing the dog access to dangers, such as electrical cords, chemicals, or items that the dog will get punished for chewing is cruel. Giving the dog a "comfort zone" and setting them up to only do acceptable behaviors, i.e. chew their own toys, is the fair thing to do.

Wild dogs will find a den to inhabit, which is easy to defend and they have their "own space". Since most of us do not have "dens" in our homes, we supply that same instinct satisfaction with the use of a crate.

That being said, if crate training is done incorrectly it can be cruel. The crate should not be used as punishment. The dog should not feel isolated, or segregated while in its crate. The crate should be placed in a main room of the house, where there is constant activity while the family is home. Do not put the crate in a back room, outside, or a basement (unless it is a well-used living area). Isolating your dog while in its crate will build a negative association. We want our dogs to feel comfortable and safe while in their crate.

Also, do not use the crate as a punishment by reprimanding the dog, and immediately stuffing them into the crate. If the dog is out of control (mostly seen with puppies) or does something unacceptable and needs to be put in a "time out", it should be done with no emotion. That means no yelling, no "bad dog, get in your crate", and DEFINITELY no spanking. If the dog is being crated due to over-excitement or just the need to be safe while unsupervised, there should be toys in with him/her. I prefer Kongs. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and textures and can be filled with treats.

If crate training is done correctly, your dog will feel comfortable enough to go in on his/her own, just to get away.....from kids, from company, from other dogs, and many times from environmental things like thunderstorms or fireworks.