Debate continues about whether or not crate training dogs is healthy or harmful.
With crate training the dog is put in a cage, usually made out of plastic or metal that?s about the size of your dog, for shorter periods of time over the day.
Proponents argue that crating gives the dog a sense of ‘property’, a place for himself. In this little home within the home, the dog feels safe surrounded by familiar smells and objects. Here, the dog can take a break from the new and sometimes ?strange? outside world.
Those who favor crate training say that potty training is much easier when combined with use of a crate. Dogs, they state, will naturally avoid to evacuate, and wait until they’re released to go outside.
Opponents counter that locking the dog into a cage barely large enough to turn around goes against his natural desire to explore. It prohibits the dog’s ability to get to know its environment and he?ll have a lack of outside stimulus.
They will also state that too many animals will be too long in their crates, which in the end means that the whole idea of potty training won?t work. They give the typical example of pet shops where you can see how sometimes puppies are playing in their own pooh.
As always there is something to say for both points of view. There are not many scientific studies done on this subject and opinions differ evenly. Provided you don?t let your puppy to long in the crate and you walk him regularly, crate training probably is a good way to train your dog.
Even proponents recognize that excessive time in a crate is bad for the dog. Any dog locked up in a small space is not getting the exercise he needs and may be restrained from evacuating for longer than is healthy. So I recommend to keep the crate time to no more than two hours maximum.
Opponents worry that dogs in their crate can harm themselves when they make attempts to open the crate to escape, or because they?re bored. Always use a safe crate, one that?s designed especially for dogs. The crate should be sturdy enough, so it can resist your dogs? attempts to get out. And above all make sure the crate can?t fall over.
Advocates believe that once your dog is crate trained, car, train and plain travel is much easier, because he is used to the crate. They feel at home in the crate, especially if you give him something that smells familiar. This is especially interesting for owners that travel regularly with their dog.
On the other hand critics state that it?s better to leave your dog at home and ask someone else to take care of him when you?re traveling. Apart from their walks and other short trips, dogs feel best when they are on familiar territory.
But you must be the judge. You should give crate training a try and decide if crate training is beneficial for you and your dog.
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