Crate training is often misunderstood or overlooked by many pet owners, but its benefits extend far beyond mere containment. Proper crate training has many advantages for both puppies and adult dogs, not to mention, You!
No matter what age your dog is, proper crate training can be implemented safely.
Here are the top 10 reasons I recommend crate training a dog or puppy.
1. Crate Training To Create a Safe Space / Den / "Bedroom":
I am sure you enjoy having your own space - maybe it is in the form of a bedroom or an office space. Well, your dog can enjoy having his or her own safe space too! Once trained, a crate serves as a den-like environment where dogs can retreat to for security and comfort.
It provides a "meditation" room or calming space for your dog to relax and decompress. particularly during hectic or unfamiliar environments.
2. Potty Training:
Crates can be an invaluable tool in house training puppies *Pro tip: NEVER EVER punish your puppy for potting in the house. They need to be taught potty habits in a healthy, positive way. If you need help Contact us today
Crates can help create better potty habits for adult dogs with some behavioral concerns or adults dogs that maybe have never lived inside (IE rescues)
3. Preventing Destructive Behavior:
When left unsupervised, dogs may engage in destructive and even dangerous behaviors such as chewing furniture or belongings or even worse, ingesting foreign or unsafe objects.
We've heard many stories of dog owners loosing their shoes, glasses, wallets, even cash!
A crate will limit your dog's access to these items when you're not around to supervise.
4. Facilitating Travel and Veterinary Visits:
Dogs who are comfortable in crates are better equipped to handle travel, whether it's a short trip to the vet or a fun road trip.
Crates from Impact, Gunner and Ruffland are crash tested and are safe for travel.
Crates provide a familiar and secure environment in unfamiliar settings, reducing stress and anxiety.
5. Managing Separation Anxiety:
For dogs prone to separation anxiety, a crate can serve as a tool for overcoming that anxiety and create healthy coping skills that will benefit overall mental health and wellness.
When introduced & used properly, the crate becomes a tool to alleviate anxiety.
6. Ensuring Safety:
We hear so many stories of dogs stealing a steak marinating on the counter, dark chocolate from the pantry, medications out of purses or counters. This poses some serious health concerns.
Crates offer a safe environment when leaving your dog unattended and reduces risks to their health and safety.
They prevent access to potentially dangerous areas or objects within your home, safeguarding your dog from harm and saving your wallet from a very expensive vet bill. (Gastro surgery can cost thousands without insurance!)
7. "FOMO" Training:
Ever hear of "Fear of Missing out"?
Many dogs have "FOMO" and teaching a dog how to take turns will help your dog to become a well rounded, go everywhere/do everything dog.
8. Decompression after training:
Remember back to the last time you worked really hard to learn a new skill, a new job or earn a new degree? It is mentally exhausting! When we train our dogs they are working really hard to learn a new task or concept. It is mentally tiring. The crate allows for decompression after sessions to allow for proper neurological processing and storage of information and improves knowledge retention!
9. Mulit-dog house management:
Do you have multiple dogs? Do you plan on having multiple dogs in the future? Or even dog sitting in your home? Crates allow you to focus on one or two dogs at a time for successful play or training sessions and human- canine bonding.
Having crate trained dogs in multi-dog households can also prevent negative and harmful experiences like fighting and resource guarding. ***We never recommend getting two puppies at the same time - Blog on "Littermate Syndrome" Coming soon!
10. Have a shy or nervous dog?
Crates can be used to help boost confidence in many ways!
Reach out to learn more about this or any dog training questions!
The type of crate and how you train matters! If you have any questions or concerns reach out to learn more and get started on a path to safe crate training.
Comments