Crate training can be a great way to keep your dog out of trouble when you are not able to supervise him. Just as you might put a toddler in a playpen, a crate can be a safe haven for a curious puppy, but it’s important to introduce and use this tool properly.
Benefits of Crate Training
Although crate training has many benefits for your puppy, one of the most significant benefits is your peace of mind. A dog that has been properly crate trained can be left unsupervised without any worry of injury to the dog or damage to your home.
Dogs instinctively know to keep their sleeping area clean from waste, so a crate can also be a helpful tool in housetraining. A puppy will learn the rules of the home more quickly when he is unable to make unsupervised mistakes.
Crate training can also help prevent behavioral problems such as separation anxiety, chewing, and barking. This is especially true when the process is started at an early age. With practice, your puppy will learn that his kennel is a place to rest and relax until you return.
Additionally, crate training can help reduce stress when your dog must be handled by professionals. Whether you’re dropping your pup off at the groomer or the vet, it’s possible that he may need to spend some time in a kennel.
For rescued or nervous dogs, crate training can also provide your pup with a safe place to retreat to should he become overwhelmed by your bustling household. It can also become a place of comfort during stressful events such as during fireworks or thunderstorms.
