by Katherine Adams

Created on: June 03, 2009   Last Updated: June 04, 2009

All dog lovers, raise your hand. All dog lovers who know nothing about the whys and hows of crating Rover or Fluffy, grab a pencil and "Stay." Do not Roll Over, Lay Down or expect a treat until you understand how important crating is for your pup.

But first a disclaimer: I was initially horrified at the idea of locking any pet in a crate (despite the fact that my beloved Rickey, a chatty cockatiel, spent quite a bit of his lifetime in a home with bars).

I was uneducated; fortunately, some kindly folks who love dogs as much as I do, as well as quite a few informative websites, pointed out the error of my thinking. Dogs, after all (despite the fact that owners believe they're people in fur suits), are animals who like the concept of den living. What I discovered is that a crate is basically a bedroom, a place where your pet can hang out, have some alone time, and feel safe.

Five tips sold me on the reasons why crates are great:

1. Housebreaking, part one. One of your first chores is teaching your puppy when and where to go to the bathroom. Dogs are naturally reluctant to soil their personal sleeping areas. No self-respecting boxer or poodle will use their crate home as a restroom. Crate your pet, however, only as long as he or she can reasonably control bladders and bowels.

2. Housebreaking, part two. Not only does crating keep your dog from chewing on potentially toxic plants or electrical cords, you'll prevent the loss of your favorite slippers, pillows, and other household items not meant for consumption. Crating teaches dogs of all ages not to tear your abode into pieces when he or she is looking for a good time.

3. Separation anxiety. Nip that woeful whining and "don't go" looks in the crate. You love your dog; your dog loves you. But you can't spend every minute together. Crates teach pets to enjoy time alone.

4. Security. If you have a busy household, especially with children, even the friendliest of pups need a space to hang out - alone. We tend to forget that even the most loving dogs might need to wind down once in awhile. Give them a home when the children don't roam, and your doggy will forever be grateful.

5. Timeouts. Hard to believe - especially if Coco is sitting on your lap as you read this - but you might need some time away from your pet. Or maybe Fifi has been nipping at visitors, and you're drained. Don't hesitate to use the crate for a short time-out - but NEVER USE THE CRATE FOR PUNISHMENT. Every expert seems to agree on this point; the crate is a good place, the dog's home within your home. So it's okay to get your pooch settled down in the crate, as long as it isn't used negatively.

Don't forget these important additions to the crate: Include a bowl of water, your dog's favorite chew toys, and a comfy blanket to create the perfect space for a pooch to hang out. Crating is not some medieval form of locking up "mere" animals; it's a way to let your beloved pet relax. In fact, if my favorite dog Rome's crate gets any more comfy, I think I'll grab a book, a bottle of diet cola and stretch out with him for a bit - and I promise not to paw through his stuff.

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