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Many people think that crating a dog is cruel or inhumane. After all, dogs are a part of our family, and who wants to put their family member in a cage! Unfortunately, we cannot always be with our dogs, and when they have to be left unsupervised, a crate can be a safe place for the dog to rest until you return.

Puppies require constant supervision, much like a human toddler. You would not leave a toddler unsupervised for even a few minutes. Likewise, a puppy can get into all kinds of trouble in a matter of moments. Electrical cords, coins, even a dropped sock can become deadly in the paws of an unsupervised puppy if ingested or chewed. Many dog owners have lost their loved ones, or endured costly surgery, to extract inedible items from the stomachs of their beloved pets. Crating your puppy can ensure that they do not have access to unacceptable chew items or dangerous places.

Ideally, crate training should begin when the puppy is first brought home. Most puppies take readily to a crate and enjoy having a place of their own in which to play and rest. Instinctually, dogs view the crate as a den, since the ancestors of the dog (wolves) raised their pups in dens; therefore it is a very natural environment for a puppy and one in which they will feel secure.

Puppies should not be left in their crate for longer than a few hours at a time, as they will need to be let out frequently to urinate and defecate, as well as stretch their legs and exercise. As your puppy matures, the length of time that they can stay in their crate can be lengthened. Most adult dogs can tolerate eight hours at a time in the crate, as long as they get adequate exercise and plenty of outside play time. Common sense should always be used when deciding how much time your dog should be in the crate.

Crates should not be used as a punishment tool. Never scold your pet and then put them into their crate, as their view of the crate will change from one of a safe haven, to one of exile. A treat given enthusiastically to the dog when they readily go into the crate will ensure that your dog enjoys entering the crate, and they will never have to be forced into the crate.

Training an older dog that has never been crated to accept a crate can be accomplished with patience and time. The same method of introducing the crate is applied, keeping crating sessions short to begin with, and offering lots of praise and rewards for entering the crate and remaining quiet in the crate. With time, the dog will associate the crate with a good place to unwind and will come to enjoy their special place.

Finally, it should be mentioned that crating your dog in the car is a good practice to ensure their safety on the road. Many dogs who have been involved in car accidents become extremely frightened and will run away from the accident site. Many times these dogs were not seriously injured in the crash, but are later run over by passing motorists and killed. Other times, dogs are injured but unable to be found and given treatment. Scared dogs can also attack the police or emergency medical personnel who are trying to help the occupants of the car or truck. For the dog's safety, and the safety of the public, it is important to keep your dog confined in a crate while travelling.

The benefits to crating your dog are evident as long as care is taken to use the crate properly.

Learn more about this author, Stacy Kaaki.
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