Crate training is a fantastic way to train your do. Although some people think it’s cruel, in reality, it’s a wonderful thing to do for your dog. A prime example of this is a post I came across with an owner who is actively trying to undo their dog’s crate training.
This owner adopted a dog who is trained to her crate. In my opinion, that’s a huge plus. Now the owner is actively trying to remove the crate. The dog is perfectly happy in her crate, but without it, she is very upset when her owners leave. I’m going to use this as an example of why crate training is so great.
Related: Puppy Crate Training That’s Easy as 1-2-3
Crate Training for Stability
So this dog has been crate trained her entire life, and now her new owner is attempting to undo. I can’t for the life of me figure out why. Crate training gives a dog structure, stability, and a safe place to be. All of these things are very important to a dog.
In fact, when the owner left the dog home alone in her bedroom – and not in the crate – the dog destroyed the bedroom. You name it; the dog did it. She peed on the bed. She ripped up the sheet. She even smeared feces all over the walls. Now the owner is talking about getting a muzzle so the dog can’t tear anything up while the owner is away.
My question to all of this is: why? The dog went from being perfectly happy to being terrified and now having the possibility of being muzzled. That’s no way to live. Let’s take a look at this unfortunate situation as a learning tool and figure out why crate training works for so many dogs.
Stability
Crate training a dog gives them a sense of stability. No matter what’s happening in your dog’s life or your home, the crate is always there as a steady, stable place of comfort.
Security
In the same way, that crate training provides stability, it also provides security. In fact, the security of knowing that they have a safe place to be that’s all their own is one of the key factors in giving your dog a sense of stability.
Anxiety
Providing a dog with stability and security can drastically reduce the impact of separation anxiety on them if they have it or are prone to being high strung. The confined space filled with the scents that they know and love helps make them feel safe and secure, and, therefore, reduces their stress level.
Related: Handling Severe Anxiety in Dogs
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
While crate training might not be for everyone, the main take away from this article and the story that inspired it is this: do what works. If you have a dog, and your method works, or they come to you with a method that works, don’t change it. This is especially true if you get a dog that’s crate trained. Crate training is one of the best methods of training for you, your dog, and your home. It’s sad to think that a perfectly trained dog is now suffering from anxiety and the possibility of being muzzled simply because her crate was taken away. So remember these two things: Crate training generally works and don’t deviate from something that’s working for you.
