Dog Training – Crate Training Pros and Cons

Not everybody agrees on the benefits of crate training.

A crate is a metal or plastic box, fit to the size of your dog. When crate training your dog, you leave him for short periods of time in the crate so he can?t do any harm.

Advocates of crate training think that the crate will offer the dog a little home for himself where he can rest and feel at ease. This little room for him makes him feel save. He?ll have a blanket for a familiar smell and comfort and his toys for entertainment.

Supporters of crate training will tell you that it is much easier to potty train your puppy. As dogs don?t like to soil their nest they will wait until they?re set lose before doing a pee or a pooh.

On the other hand, opponents argue that locking your dog into a cage with just enough space to turn around undermines his nature to explore. The dog can?t wander around and isn?t stimulated by new experiences.

They will also state that too many animals will be too long in their crates, which in the end means that the whole idea of potty training won?t work. They give the typical example of pet shops where you can see how sometimes puppies are playing in their own pooh.

No doubt both sides have some good and some bad points. Objective studies on the issue are scarce and equally divided. Provided certain ‘rules’ are respected, there’s probably no harm, and possibly some good, in crate training.

Even proponents recognize that excessive time in a crate is bad for the dog. Any dog locked up in a small space is not getting the exercise he needs and may be restrained from evacuating for longer than is healthy. So I recommend to keep the crate time to no more than two hours maximum.

Opponents worry that crated dogs can injure themselves when they try to escape or from rowdiness inside the cage. Check to ensure there are no sharp edges in the crate, and that the crate is strong enough to withstand the dog’s normal behavior. Above all, make sure the crate can’t tip over.

Advocates believe that once your dog is crate trained, car, train and plain travel is much easier, because he is used to the crate. They feel at home in the crate, especially if you give him something that smells familiar. This is especially interesting for owners that travel regularly with their dog.

Critics suggest that (except in cases of permanent re-location) it’s best to leave pets at home. Apart from short trips to the grocery store or vet, animals are better off in familiar territory.

Though this debate isn’t likely to be settled anytime soon, using common sense is the best way to judge the beneficial effects for your pet. Try leaving the door open after a few weeks of training and see whether they stay in or out of the crate. Let your dog be the judge.

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Tagged with: animals • Dogs • home • pets • puppies

Filed under: Dogs

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