Your Crate Is Not Your Enemy

Some of the biggest push back I get from clients is around crating their dogs. I get it. We want our dogs to have great lives with as much freedom as possible. It makes us feel good to have well behaved dogs that can exist in the house without us and be just fine. Sadly, this is not what's best for the dog nor you.

There are three big reasons crating your dog is so important.

Reason 1: Your Dog's Safety

The safest place in your house for your dog is its crate. It can't get into any food it shouldn't, it can't chew on anything it shouldn't, or even tear up its favorite toy and swallow the squeaker. I recently was told about a dog that got into an Advil bottle while the owners were away and died as a result. Perhaps that's an extreme example, but it is a very real possibility. Even if what they get into isn't fatal, it can easily lead to an expensive vet visit and days of discomfort for the dog.

Every person I've spoken with that doesn't want to crate makes a point about wanting the best life for their animal and I completely understand that, but the best thing for your animal is to keep it safe. That means making sure its in a safe environment when you're not around.

Don't worry about crating your dog. It will be fine. And that's the point. That can't always be said when you leave it in the house alone.

Reason 2: A Free Dog Can Ruin Your Environment

I'm just as guilty as everyone else. My great Dane that got me into training used to be free in my house. Being a single guy at the time, I would also let her drink from the toilet. Classy, I know. One day, with her big powerful tail, she closed the door to the bathroom on herself and went absolutely crazy trying to get out. She did over $1,000 worth of damage to the door, door frame, and wall. In her efforts, she also locked the door from the inside, so when I came back to rescue her, I literally had to break the door down to get her out.

This story also ties into the safety issue as she could have seriously hurt herself. Thankfully, she didn't, but she did destroy a bathroom for me.

Again, an extreme example. Your 8lb dog probably can't do that kind of damage, but dogs ruin the environment in all kinds of ways. Aside from physically destroying things, they can bark and go crazy in the window at every passing stranger or delivery driver. This issue is less about you because you aren't there when it's happening, but your neighbors notice. No one likes living next to a house with a dog that won't shut up.

Protect your environment and the environment of your neighbors and crate your dog.

Reason 3: You Are Teaching Your Dog How to Calm Down

Before you tell me that they bark and cry in the crate too, it is important that we teach our dogs how to relax in the crate. It does require training.

Just putting your dog in the crate without training will be safer than not, but you won't get all the positive benefits without teaching your dog how to be calm in the crate. Thankfully, that calmness you teach them translates to everything else you do. This is one of those seemingly tiny pieces that makes a world of difference in your daily life. A dog that is calm in the crate, is calmer on walks, when guests come to the house, and is better behaved in general.

I much prefer teaching in video format where you can see a dog go through the process, so please check my YouTube channel for videos on how to crate train your dog. I will give you the short gist here though.

1. Practice having the dog in the crate when you are home and can correct and condition it. Get your dog used to going in and out on command and only on command. Your dog should be stay in the crate as long as you tell it whether the door is open or not. Practice this when you are around so the dog becomes normalized to it and understands that it is a safe place to relax.

2. Enforce a calm energy in the crate. While you are practicing at home, put your dog in a down stay and keep them there. If they start barking or whine, correct them using a bonker on the crate wall, just hit the crate wall, or use an e-collar. Crate time should be quiet time and relaxed time. Show your dog what you expect in the crate so it knows what to do when you aren't there.

Conclusion

Crating is such a wonderful tool. In fact, there is no other tool like it. Crates keep your dog safe, save you from thousands in vet and property damage bills, and reinforce the calm energy we all want from our pets. And it works when we aren't even there!

Yes, your dog loses some freedom. But we limit their freedom all the time! If you have a studio apartment, your dog is fine. If you have a 5,000sqft house, your dog is fine and still probably sleeps in the same spot most of the day anyway. Giving it its own tiny room will be just fine. They still have room to turn and move and do all the things they need to do while you're gone.

Please crate your dog. I promise it will serve you well.