Crate Training 101

Crate training is an important tool in a dog’s life. Crates help satisfy a dog’s tendency to feel safe and comfortable in a den like area of their very own. Crates can be a napping place, a training tool, and a transportation device. Crate training has many versatile uses.
Crate training is effective in helping house train your puppy since puppies naturally do not like to go to the bathroom in their sleeping quarters. Crate training can also prevent your puppy from destructive behavior to your house in your absence.

Crate training can save your puppy’s life since your puppy will be safe and sound in their crate, rather than chewing on electrical wires or consuming other inedible and oftentimes dangerous objects, which can lead to medical emergencies and hard bad habits to break. Most owners would rather come home to a puppy safe and sound in their own comfortable den (their crate area) rather than come home only to discover a sick or inured puppy and a destroyed home. The puppy would also prefer to have their owners come home pleased and happy to see them, rather than homecoming being marked by their owner being upset at any damage or accidents. Remember, as always, a part of training a puppy is setting them up to succeed.

Crate training your new puppy can also help reduce and eliminate separation anxiety since the dog will feel safe and secure in their crate. You can take the crate when you travel to any property, even if it is totally unfamiliar to the dog, they will have an instant safe den place they know. Some dogs are fed meals in their crates for some privacy during mealtime, or since they eat certain foods such as raw foods, or if they are really messy as it is easy and fast to clean a crate. Crates are also useful while you are not there to directly supervise in some cases after a veterinary procedure such as a spay, neuter, or other operation when post-operative instructions include restricted activity for a certain amount of time.

Since crates have so many uses crate training is even that much more important. Most dogs are exposed to crates in their life. Professionals such as groomers, boarding facilities, dog daycares, and veterinary facilities use crates on a regular basis. Crates are also sometimes used by professional trainers, working dogs, hunting dogs, performance dogs, and show dog handlers, and among other dog enthusiasts and fanciers. Airports and airlines also require dogs be transported using crates. When traveling in your car there are two safe ways to transport your dog, either a dog seatbelt (which creative dogs can easily escape or even chew through) or a secure crate inside your vehicle. When traveling with your pet many hotels will be more likely to accept crate trained dogs since they are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors.
During an emergency, crate training can come in handy if you have to evacuate with multiple pets. And in the tragic event a natural disaster occurs and you and your pets become separated by events beyond your control, it is easier for rescue workers to deal with crate trained pets and keep them safe and sound until you can be reunited. These are just a few of the reasons among many why crate training can be beneficial for both puppy and owner.

Now that we have established some reasons why to crate train your puppy, you will need to figure out what type of crate you should use. There are many types of crate but we will talk about three main types, plastic, wire, and soft crates.
Plastic dog crates are usually made of hard plastic and come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They will have a wire door in the front. They are an excellent choice for providing a den like environment for your puppy. They are very sturdy. To break them down you will have to take out many screws from the crate.
Wire crates are made of thick wire in a box shape frame and come with pan on the bottom of plastic or metal. They have either one door or two doors. They are either collapsible or have metal pins. I highly suggest getting a collapsible model. Many of these crates also come with a divider that is convenient as the puppy grows.
Soft crates come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They are the lightest so they are easier to move and many are collapsible. But since they are made of fabric and have mesh they can easily be chewed and destroyed by teething puppies and some persistent puppies can break out of them easily. If your puppy has an accident inside the crate, soft crates are harder to clean than the other two types. Soft crates in general are not suitable for crate training puppies or for using with dogs not already crate trained.

Once you have picked out the right type and size of crate for your puppy, decide on the right place to put the crate. Ideally, put the crate where you spend the most time. Make sure the place you put the crate is away from any drafts or excessive temperature changes, for example, take care not place the crate right by heating vents. Also make sure the crate is not in a place where it will receive direct sunlight through any windows, as sometimes that will cause excessive temperature changes and become dangerous.

Please continue to Page 2 for Crate Training 102.

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