Mabel the Rescue Dog

3 min read (Articles narrated by Mabel)

I’m not a fan of my crate. I used to have to go in it all the time when Molly left, but now she trusts me enough to let me roam free. Yet, I still know to go in my crate on command just in case. Many humans think it seems sad to leave dogs in crates, but there are actually a lot of benefits to it. After fostering dogs, we’ve found that crates are even more helpful than we realized. So, here are some reasons to crate train your dog.

Crates Keep Dogs Out of Trouble

Dogs can cause trouble when humans aren’t paying attention. Not me, of course, but I’m sure other dogs do. So, many humans use crates to keep their dogs confined while they’re away. That way, dogs can’t chew on shoes or grab food off the counter. It can also keep them out of the way if needed. For example, it helps if you have someone stopping by to fix something or if you’re cooking a big meal and your dog won’t leave you alone.

They Can Help with Potty Training

Crate training is a great way to also potty train your dog. Dogs don’t like to do their business in their crate because it’s such a small space. We don’t like to go to the bathroom in the same place we sleep. So, keeping your dog in a crate when you’re not paying attention to them can prevent accidents and help them learn where the right place to do their business is.

They Can Provide a Safe Space

When crate training your dog, it’s important to use the crate as a safe space and never as a punishment. Keep the crate accessible to your dog throughout the day. That way, if they need some time to themselves, they can retreat to the crate to relax. With proper training, your dog should see the crate as a cozy spot and not as a dreaded place.

They Can Keep Your Dog Protected

Not only do crates protect your house from your dog, but it protects your dog too. If your dog is extra curious, they might get into things they shouldn’t while you’re gone, including cleaning supplies or unhealthy foods. Even if your dog behaves themselves, they could fall or bump into something, which could be dangerous if you’re not home to care for them. Having a crate eliminates those risks.

They Can Make Travel Easier

If you travel long distances with your dog, you’ll need a crate or carrier, especially on public transportation. If your dog is already crate trained, it’ll be much easier to travel with them. Plus, if you stay at a hotel or at someone else’s house, it can be easier to crate them there since it’s an unfamiliar space. The last thing you’d want is for them to get into trouble while you’re staying somewhere else.

They Make Evacuation Easy

Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with any emergencies in your home, but if you do, it’ll be much easier to keep your dog safe. Dogs get startled easy during evacuations, so keeping them crated during the commotion can keep them safe. Also, you’ll likely need to crate them at wherever you stay, so it’s best for them to be used to crates ahead of time.

Of course, you don’t have to use a crate if you don’t want to. After all, I never use one anymore. Yet, it can be beneficial to at least train your dog to use one just in case they need to in the future. Plus, training your dog to do new things can help you bond with them. Just remember that you should never use the crate as a punishment since that will only make training harder.

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