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Many people believe that dog crate training is wonderful and effective. Others view it as cruel and inhumane, refusing to even consider the possibility. It cannot be denied that there have been instances where crate training was done improperly and caused harm, but when done correctly it is an excellent training tool that provides your dog with his own safe environment.

Crate training, when done correctly, is not only  humane, but can even be enjoyable for your dog. One of the top mistakes people make is putting the dog in the crate just to get it out of their way, the crate is not meant for that. Your dog or puppy should never be left in the crate for hours on end, with the dog only being let out for very short periods or when it’s convenient for you. It’s true that crates can be effective in keeping your dog out of danger when you can’t see what it is doing, but excessive use of crates for this purpose is not good.

With correct use, you will find there are many benefits to crate training. It is an effective aid in house breaking as a dog will not soil in a small area it cannot leave. Utilizing the crate will also prevent your dog from getting in trouble when you are away, either by destroying things that will leave their families unhappy or getting into things that could harm or even kill them. It also directly benefits your dog by giving him his very own safe place to go to for comfort.

Descendants of wolves, dogs are naturally “den” animals. The den makes them feel safe, confident, secure and comfortable. Proper use of the crate creates that “den” for them and they will actually be happy to go to it when sent there. This becomes an important area for your dog anytime he or she feels uncomfortable. Properly done, crate training will teach your dog that the crate is also his safe zone and when frightened or upset, your dog will go to it for comfort.

Crate training can also establish important boundaries for your dog. But for this to work, the crate should never become a punishment and should never be used in a negative way. When you are away from home and you crate your dog, it learns where it needs to be when you’re not there. Many dog owners who have successfully crate trained their dogs  found that when they were leaving the house, the dog would go to the crate on his or her own and stay there, whether they were locked in or not.

Yet, despite the proven success of proper crate training, the dog owning community remains divided on whether it is a blessing or inhumane. If you choose to crate train, be sure to purchase a quality crate that is the proper size, your dog should be able to stand up and turn around in it, and take care not to over-use or abuse this valuable tool. Proper crate training will help you to rear a well-trained, happy dog that you and the entire family will be love and cherish.