Many dog owners, trainers, and breeders around the world agree that crate training is a very important part of dog ownership. After all, dog crates serve many purposes. Crate training encourages positive and healthy behavior, teaches dogs how to follow commands, and most importantly, ensures the safety of your home and pup.
Contrary to what some people may believe, keeping your dog in a crate is not at all “inhumane” or a form of punishment for your pup. When done correctly, crate training is the best way to teach your dog to utilize a calm and safe environment- their crate, as a tool to help them relax when they need to.
In addition to making everyday life easier for you and your pup, crate training ensures your pup always has this comfortable space to retreat to both at home and while traveling.
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Let’s take a closer look at 5 reasons why you should crate train your dog.
1. Crates Provide a Comforting Space for Your Dog
Dogs are naturally very social animals, oftentimes having a lot of energy that requires outlets such as exercise. However, even the most hyperactive of animals do need some relaxation time. This is where dog crates come in. Dogs instinctually seek out “den-like” sanctuaries where they can have some peace and quiet just for themselves. That said, a dog crate offers a safe and secure space for your pup to rest comfortably. The enclosed interior of a dog crate allows your dog to spend some time away from distractions that can easily overwhelm them, providing the privacy and solace that dogs are inclined to seek out. With this safe habitat readily available to your pups, they can enjoy some much-needed time to destress in an enclosed place where they can have a better quality of sleep.
Once dogs become accustomed to spending time in their crate, dogs will quickly begin associating their crate with the sense of comfort it brings them. That said, crate training teaches dogs to utilize their personal hangout spot when their environment is too overwhelming. In addition to providing a calm space for your dog, crates reassure their human counterparts that their pup is safe and secure.
2. Airplane and Vehicle Travel is Safer with a Crate
Ensuring your four-legged friends are safe and secure throughout your on-the-road and up-in-the-air adventures is of utmost importance, and fortunately, there are ways to do so. Anytime you are on the road with your dog, they should be secured in a heavy-duty dog crate for their protection. As outlined above, many dogs enjoy spending time in their crates, which is the same for when they are inside a crate in a moving vehicle.
However, there is a much more powerful argument for why dog owners should protect their pups in crates while traveling by car. Every time a car is on the road, there is always a chance that the vehicle may be involved in an accident. Starting from an early age, us humans are always taught about car safety, repeatedly hearing how important it is to always wear seatbelts due to the risk of being in an accident. Well, it is necessary to take the same safety precautions when traveling by car with dogs. This is another instance where crate training is very useful. Why? In the unfortunate event of there being an on-the-road accident, a crate will be the most effective way to safeguard your pup.
If a vehicle carrying your dog is involved in an accident, a quality dog crate will provide extra protection for your pup that can absorb a good part of the collision impact. A secured dog crate is also significantly less likely to be ejected from a car, whereas the same cannot be said for dogs left to roam freely in the car. That said, your dog will always be much safer inside a crate in the car than when they are left to roam around unsecured.
For dog owners looking to embark on some up-in-the-air adventures, pet safety is just as important on airplanes. In fact, for dogs to be allowed to fly with any airline, they must be in an IATA-compliant dog crate. Assuming that a non-crate trained dog will do well inside a crate for an hour-plus plane ride is very unrealistic. Flying, in general, can be very stressful for most dogs, and this anxiety can be heightened if it is also your dog’s first time using a dog crate. Dog owners can avoid this problem if their dogs are already crate trained and comfortable spending long periods inside of their secure crate.
3. Crates Keep your Dogs Safe During Emergencies
Life can be full of surprises, and sometimes you can find yourself in unexpected situations where your and your pet's safety is threatened. This is why crate training is so important for pet parents. In a frightening situation, your dog will feel much more at ease when they are crate trained, as they will automatically have that safe place of shelter for them to comfortably retreat to. Not just that, but sheltering your dog in a crate during an emergency ensures that you know where they are at all times. Why is this so important? In a highly stressful and dangerous situation, your dog will likely and understandably be very frightened. When scared or stressed, animals instinctually tend to flee. A dog crate eliminates all possibilities of your dog fleeing and potentially putting itself in even more danger during an already hazardous situation.
There are many examples of emergencies where quick action must be taken to protect yourself and your human and canine family. A commonly referenced situation is wildfires. In the case of a wildfire or other natural disaster, you may only have a moment's notice to evacuate. This is where dog crates showcase their true value, yet again. When your dog has a crate you can quickly secure them in, you can promptly usher them to safety and out of harm's way, without having to waste precious time. Given that dog crates also make traveling so much easier and safer, transporting your dog during an evacuation will be a trouble-free process.
4. Crates are a Powerful Tool for House Training
Pet ownership can have a bit of an adjustment period- for both humans and dogs. For dogs that have previously spent a lot of time outdoors, or have not yet been exposed to homes, a crate is a great tool to help dogs with this major transition.
Crate training, when done correctly, can improve your dog's overall behavior and temperament. Moreover, when dogs are properly trained, their owners will reap the positive benefits as well. We’ve all seen some of the extensive damage to homes that can be done when dogs are left to their own devices. A trained dog will be a lot friendlier towards your home- and wallet, saving you from replacing furniture and the expensive vet trips for injuries sustained during home destruction. Essentially, you can view a dog crate as providing superior protection for your pup, while also defending your favorite pair of shoes or couch cushion.
Did you know that there is also a link between crate training and potty training? Dogs view crates as their personal hangout spot just for them, and crates are oftentimes considered to be one of the best potty training tools. The reasoning behind this is quite simple; dogs are generally not inclined to go potty in the same area they sleep. When your dog is secure in their crate, they will have an understanding that this is not where they should be going potty. This is very helpful in teaching your pup to “hold it in” while they are in their crate. What is the benefit of that? Your dog will hold in their bladder and bowels when kept in their crate, providing an excellent solution for dog parents who are tired of the 2:00 a.m. potty breaks.
5. Crates Protect Your Pup and Home
A dog crate is an effective way to keep your pup safe and secure in the comfort of your home. There are some times when you may need to be away from your dog, and so knowing where your dog is at all times eliminates all opportunities for your pup to cause trouble. When left unattended, some dogs may immediately take the opportunity to misbehave, which could have serious consequences.
Every dog owner should be cognizant of the number of potential dangers to your dog that can be found in your very own home, sometimes right in front of your eyes. Dogs suffering from anxiety may be especially prone to exhibiting more destructive behavior, which can be a danger for both your dog and home. Couches and carpets are common targets for anxious pups to destroy, but it is also very easy for dogs to get into household hazards. Common household items and appliances may not present as being harmful to your pup. However, many of these items that hide in plain sight can be very dangerous. The bottle of harsh cleaning chemicals you use to clean your kitchen countertop may seem like an exciting chew toy to your pup. In an instant, your dog could ingest harmful toxins and poisons that could irreversibly damage vital organs and require immediate medical attention.
When kept in a secure, enclosed dog crate, your pup is not allowed to gain access to harmful objects or liquids found in your home. Through crate training your dog, you are providing them with their very own space in a controlled setting when you are unable to give them your full attention. Thus, keeping your dog in a quality dog crate provides you with something invaluable; peace of mind knowing they are safe from harm while at home.
Finding the Right Crate for Your Dog
Now that you know the importance of crate training your dog, let’s discuss factors that you should consider when finding the right crate for your pup. First of all, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to dog crates, as every dog has their own unique and individual needs. When deciding on a dog crate that best fits your and your dog’s lifestyle, consider your dog's size, behavior, and temperament. Is your dog likely to try every trick in the book to break out of their crate? Does your dog exhibit anxious behavior when left by themselves? These are important questions to ask yourself when searching for the right dog crate for your pup.
However, there should be some very basic requirements for any crate you consider.
- Ventilation. Does the crate provide proper airflow for your dog? This is especially important when looking into dog crates because the crate must receive optimal ventilation in any climate.
- Security. What types of latches or locks do the crate use, and how effective are they at securing your dog inside? When using a dog crate, it is of paramount importance that there is no opportunity for your dog to escape.
- Durability. A crate doesn’t provide any value if it fails after one use. A quality dog crate should be built to last.
- Convenience. What's the setup process for the crate? Following along with vague instructions for setting up your dog crate can be a massive nuisance, especially when there are tools required for assembly. A dog crate should make your life more convenient, not the opposite.
A durable, heavy-duty dog crate from Impact Dog Crates checks all the boxes when it comes to pet safety. Designed to withstand a lifetime of daily at-home and on-the-go use, the Impact Collapsible Dog Crate is trusted by dog owners around the world to protect their pups. Folding down to less than 8 inches tall in under a minute, this dog crate takes convenience to a whole other level. Backed up with a lifetime guarantee, every Impact Dog Crate is also made from 100% space-grade aluminum and is equipped with sturdy butterfly latches to provide maximum protection for your pup.
Enjoy 15% off your purchase of an Impact Dog Crate with the code CRATETRAINING!
Dogs make for some of the best companions out there, and crate training is an invaluable tool for providing your pups with the comfort and safety they deserve. Want to get started on crate training your pup? Check out the 5 Best Tips for Crate Training Your Dog.