When new pet parents are deciding whether or not they’re going to crate train their pups, one question they’re often going to ask themselves is – is crate training cruel? Sometimes it may seem like their dog doesn’t like their crate, especially during those first stages of the crate training process, causing them to second guess their foray into crate training altogether. To get to the bottom of answering the “Is crate training cruel?” question, it pays to break down just what crates are, what they mean to your dog, and how they can benefit your dog throughout all stages of their lives.
What Is The Crate To My Dog?
It’s important to remember that dogs are instinctually den animals. This means that your dog’s ancestors sought out their own “crate” like spaces in the wild, but these looked like caves, burrows, or other naturally enclosed spaces. They’d use these spaces to sleep, to wait out inclement weather, to take care of puppies, and to recuperate during times of injury or illness. According to the American Kennel Club, or the AKC, the crate is an enclosed space that provides your dog a place to rest and relax.
If The Crate Is My Dog’s Den Space, Why Is Crate Training Difficult?
When pet parents begin crate training, they may receive a little pushback from their dogs. This may include whining, crying, barking, or scratching at the crate, and it may give those same pet parents the wrong impression. This is when you may begin wondering, “Is crate training cruel?”
Dogs, and puppies especially, are going to test their boundaries with their families. They may not wish to go into their crate for a variety of reasons, but this doesn’t mean that the crate or crate training is cruel. Outside of the crate the dog has more room to explore, more to interact with, some dogs may experience some separation anxiety, and other dogs may simply want to push back to see what they can get away with. This is where the guidance of a patient and confident pet parent comes in. With slow, steady, and patient crate training, these little “tantrums” your dog may throw will become less, and they’ll realize that the crate is a positive thing they don’t want to push back on in the first place.
All dogs are different, and while some push back, others will take to the crate naturally. For some, crate training may start out difficult, but the dog quickly adapts. Each dog is an individual, and each should be approached individually but with the same patience and care.
How Dogs Benefit From Crate Training
The AKC has a lot to say about the benefits of crate training your dog. Some of the top benefits include:
- You provide your dog with safe and confident independence – It’s always best to keep dogs and puppies supervised, however dogs need to gain confidence in their independence as well. Dogs and puppies who are never taught confidence in independence are more likely to develop separation anxiety, which is an issue that can follow them for life. So, what is a pet parent to do? This is where the crate really comes in handy. Having a crate gives your dog time away from hazards, temptations, and trouble, but time they can spend gaining confidence away from you as well. In a sturdy and safe crate, they can’t break free or put themselves in danger, while they practice handling unsupervised time.
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Crate training helps the health of dogs of all ages – Throughout time, your dog may fall ill just like people do. They may play too hard and suffer an injury. They may even require some sort of surgery throughout their lives. Crate training your dog ensures they always have a space they can use to rest and recover should they need it. They’ll be comfortable and confident going into their crate, and they’ll know this is a time for rest if they require rest for any reason.
- It can make emergency situations easier – According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, natural disasters have been on the rise in the United States over the course of the last decade. These cannot be stopped, and whatever damages occur – pet parents are at the mercy of mother nature. In the event you have to evacuate, it’s crucial you’re able to take your dog with you. More and more disaster shelters are realizing this need and allowing families to bring dogs along, however loose dogs would create chaos within these spaces. To solve this problem, many shelters allow crated dogs to join their families. Crate training your dog early provides peace of mind that your dog has this necessary skill at any point should they need it.
- Make housebreaking easier – Housebreaking is one of the most challenging parts of training a new puppy, and in some cases, older dogs as well. Naturally, a dog is not going to want to make a mess where they sleep or eat, and a crate can serve as a space for both of these activities. When housebreaking a new dog, having them in the crate between potty breaks, and allowing them to tell you when it’s time to potty, can make accidents (and therefore setbacks) far less likely. The quicker your dog learns to control their bladder, learn “bathroom” cues, and notify you that they have to go, the sooner accidents will be a thing of the past in your home.
Make Crate Training A Happy And Positive Experience
How your dog views their crate will be directly impacted by their experiences. Pet parents should always approach crate training in a positive, happy, and patient way. While crate training can be frustrating at times, it’s important to know that your dog is trying their best and when you work patiently together, you’ll get the quickest successful results.
First and foremost, let your dog get used to the crate being in their space. When you bring home your crate, allow it to be in a public space in your home, and encourage your dog to sniff, explore, and investigate the crate as they see fit. It’s a new object, and this alone can make dogs uneasy.
Once your dog gets used to the crate, you can begin encouraging them to interact with it more. Always use positive reinforcement and positive association during these interactions and build the crate up as something your dog should get excited over. Give treats in the crate, do feedings in the crate, and allow them to play with favorite toys while supervised with the door open.
After some time, your dog will begin growing more comfortable spending time inside of their crate. This is when it’s time to try short periods with the door closed. While in the room with your dog, encourage them to go into their crate, and then close the door. Allow them about a minute inside, door closed, with you standing close by, and see how they handle this new experience. Some dogs will take to it straight away, others may challenge pet parents a bit. As your dog grows used to and comfortable with this time, increase the time little by little until you get to about 30 minutes.
Once your dog is comfortable with closed door crate time with you, it’s time to give it a try without you. Encourage your dog to enter their crate, close the door, and leave the room. Do as you did training for closed door time, giving them about a minute or so and seeing how they handle this new experience. As your dog grows more comfortable, build that time up until they can handle alone time in their closed crate for about a half an hour.
The Right Crate Matters
One thing pet parents should understand is that the right crate matters, and choosing the best crate for their needs should be a considered a priority. When asking yourself “Is crate training cruel?”, choosing the best crate for your dog is the first step to ensuring its not.
First and foremost, size your crate correctly. A crate of the correct size will ensure the crate remains a cozy and safe space, but comfortable at the same time. When choosing the size of your crate, get a tape measure out, and have your dog stand in front of you. Measure your dog from their nose to their back end, then add 2 to 3 inches, and this gives you your goal crate length. Once you have the length measurement, measure your dog from the bottoms of their feet to the top of their head, and again add 2 to 3 inches for your goal height measurement.
A goal measurement may not be the exact measurement you find in your crate, and that’s okay. Get as close as possible, and if you need, err on the larger side rather than the smaller one. A slightly larger crate will still be cozy, but it’ll be more comfortable than if it is too small.
The type of crate is important as well, not just its size. You’ll want a sturdy, escape proof, safe, and durable crate to provide peace of mind that crate time is always a safe time. These are the types of crates that will last through the length of time and provide your dog with that den-like space for the duration of their lives.
With the right crate, and the right approach to crate training, not only is crate training not cruel, but it’s one of the best things you can do for you and your dog.