NicksDogLand

The big quesiton is - Is crate training dogs healthy or harmful? The debate is unabated!

‘Crating’ means placing the dog in a cage approximately the size of the dog, for a time period during the day or night.

Advocates contend that crating gives the dog a feeling of ‘material possession’, a place it can call its own. In this little home within home, the dog feels safe surrounded by familiar smells and things. Here, the dog can retreat from alarming noises or unruly kids.

It’s asserted that potty training is much easier when combined with use of a crate. Dogs, believers say, naturally avoid soiling their ‘den’ and ‘hold it’ until they’re let go to go outdoors.

Opponents argue that locking a dog in a cage hardly adequate to move in stamps down its innate need to roam. It takes away the dog’s ability to explore its surroundings at will and to absorb stimulating sights and smells. In short it can damage a dog for life.

Those against crating point out frequent examples when puppies will play in their own waste and soil themselves worse. Locking the dog away, they say, is more for the convenience of the owner and their clean floors than for the future of the dog.

There are to be sure good and bad points on both sides. Objective studies are sparse and equally divided. My feeling is that provided certain ‘rules’ and common sense are observed, there’s probably no harm, and possibly some good, to be had from crate training. Time spent in the carte must not be too long. The dog must still get plenty of quality time outside it and outdoors. Reward the dog for going to toilet outdoors i.e. do regular house traing things to.

It can also be a good way to train them to be by themselves for some time. This is well worth testing if you have to be out at times and the dog shows signs of separation anxiety. I’ve done this but used a larger crate as the objective was not to stop soiling just to get them used to a degree of separaration. This process starts by keeping them in the crate for some time while you are in the house. They know you are there but cannot come and cuddle up etc. Moving on you progress to leaving them in there and popping out for a short time to train them that it is OK to be alone for a time and that you do always come back!

Even proponents recognize that excessive lengths of forced crate time is bad for the dog. Any dog locked up in a small space is not getting needed exercise and may be restrained from eliminating for longer than is healthy. So, keep the crate time to no more than two hours maximum.

Opponents worry that crated dogs can injure themselves through a natural desire to escape or rowdiness inside the cage. Make sure that the collar won’t snag. Check to ensure there are no sharp edges on the crate, and that construction is strong enough to withstand the dog’s normal jostling and pushing on the walls. Above all, make sure it can’t tip over.

Advocates assert that crate trained animals will do better on car, train or plane trips. They’re used to the confinement and they have a familiar-smelling environment with them during a time of stress. For owners who have to take their pets on long trips, there may be some value in this view.

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 or to a neighbor’s house, animals fare better in familiar territory. But, if you must take them, be especially careful to do so in a well-constructed crate. Make sure no objects can fall into, not just out of, the cage.

Though the argument isn’t likely to be settled anytime soon (ever),using common sense is the best way to judge the actual net effect - good or bad - on your particular dog. Try leaving the door open after a couple of weeks of training and see whether they seek or avoid the crate. Let your dog have a say too.

And as a parting comment, if the reason you’re thinking of crating is fast house training why not give other methods a go first if you’re unsure about crating?