Remaining in a crate when company is over is usually acceptable behavior for a dog. Perhaps he’s anxious and needs a retreat, or he is just tired and doesn’t want to be bothered. The crate is his go-to resting space, and it’s great that he’s using it appropriately. This will be helpful for you when you travel with the dog, go to vets, or have friends watch him. He’ll have a comfort to take with him. However, too much of something is not healthy. If you notice he’s spending excessive time in the crate, it’s time to assess the situation. If he’s choosing to stay in the crate more and more and refusing to go outside, to play, or to eat, something might be wrong. If any unusual behavior shows, you should take him to the vet. Dogs tend to retreat to a den when they’re not feeling well, and this might be a sign that he is sick. If you have adopted a dog who came from a shelter or several homes, he might be fearful of the crate. If this is the case and you are determined to crate train your dog, take him to your vet and a trainer to approach this safely. If your dog has negative associations with a crate, you don’t want to worsen to it.
If your pup likes the crate, make sure you continue its appropriate use. You can use it as a time-out, but don’t do that too often or it will lose its effectiveness, and you can ruin the positive association with the crate. And even if your dog enjoys being in his crate, do not leave him in there for too long. He can stay in a crate overnight or half a day. However, if he is crated this much, he needs to be exercised, socialized, and played with during the rest of the day. This will keep him loving his crate with his tail wagging. Some dogs appreciate the security of the crate more than others, and that is fine. If your dog whines, yelps, or barks when crated, it’s important to take them to a trainer to learn how to use the crate appropriately. The primary focus should be using the crate safely without abuse or creating negative associations.
You may have a few friends at your house and want to show off your amazing dog training skills. Fido has learned new tricks, and you are ready to dole out belly rubs and high praise for his talents. You call him out of his crate from the other room, but he doesn’t come. After a few calls, you get up to see what he is doing. Even with excessive coaxing, he just stays put. He is ordinarily eager to come when you call. Why is your dog staying in his crate? How come he is not his usual energetic, bouncy self?
The ideal crate for your dog is one big enough for him to stand without hitting his head and wide enough so he can make a circle like he does when he’s choosing a spot to sit. If your dog can comfortably use one side as a sleeping area and another as a toilet, it’s too big. It should also have ventilation, either through a metal structure or a material crate with holes. And make sure there’s a comfy bed. If you need to leave him in the crate for several hours, make sure he has water. Combine those crate tips with appropriate training, such as teaching your dog when to rest and be active, sleeping without disruption, a safe place when anxious or tired, preventing destructive behavior, or being in a controlled environment when unsupervised. If your dog has positive associations with the crate, he is more likely to enjoy it.
There are two schools of thought regarding dog crating. One is that when used appropriately, crating creates a den-like environment for the dog. The other side of the argument says dogs are not instinctively denning animals and crating are inhumane and abusive. These two sides come from observing crates used well in training to give dogs a secure feeling, and from observing abuse of the crate, leaving dogs in for long periods of time as punishments or neglect. If you’ve used the crate appropriately, under the supervision or advice of your vet or trainer, your pup will most likely enjoy the space and not endure harm. For this article, we’re going to focus on the appropriate use of the crate and figure out why your dog likes it so much. Dogs need a den, or a small space just for them, to feel safe, cozy, and secure. When a crate is used appropriately, it can give dogs this feeling of a safe space and it can be a sanctuary for a dog. Dogs will sometimes find small spaces to hide if they don’t have crates, like under furniture or by digging holes and curling up in them. A crate can feel like a doghouse for the indoors. It can act as his bedroom, which is comforting and homey.
Breeders and Vets Recommend Crate Training Your Dog
Although many dog owners may feel guilty for crate training their canine companion, enclosed spaces create a shelter for your dog to rest and relax. In fact, dogs instinctively seek small spaces to create protective shelters for themselves. Crates are useful training tools for puppies, safe havens for senior dogs, and lifesavers for emergencies.
Most veterinarians, trainers, and breeders recommend crate training dogs from a young age. Crate training is an essential part of housebreaking puppies, as dogs don’t like to soil their sleeping quarters. They learn to hold their bladder while they’re in their crate, so you won’t have to clean up messes.
“We recommend crate training every dog because you never know what’s going to happen in the future,” says Christine Kroh, intake coordinator at Beagles to the Rescue.
In emergencies, crate training can be the difference between safety and uncertainty. You must be able to evacuate your dog efficiently, so having a cooperative dog get into a crate quickly saves crucial time. Having dogs secured during evacuations reduces the chance of them getting lost or injured. It also allows your dog to stay with you during an emergency, since dogs typically have to be crate trained to remain in shelters with their owners.
For dogs that aren’t crate trained, crates may be the scariest part of a harried situation. Crate training can help prevent compounding a dog’s stress during emergencies. In worse case scenarios, dogs may be required to be on crate rest when recovering from surgery. Dogs are less likely to have complications following surgery when they can peacefully relax rather than accidentally aggravate injuries because they can’t settle down in a crate.
Crate training comes in handy during everyday life for dogs who might need a break from a bustling household or a familiar place to rest. Crates help dogs learn to self soothe, or deal with their anxiety, during situations where they become distressed, like during fireworks, a thunderstorm, or construction. Dogs can retreat to their crates when situations are too chaotic or scary. It also helps dogs confront new situations successfully, like the addition of a new baby having company over.
“If the dog’s freaking out, they think: ‘I can go hide in my crate and it’s safe here and nobody’s gonna bother me’. That helps them out for their lifetime,” says Kroh.
Crates make it easier to safely transport your dog by car or by air during long-distance travel or vacations. Crate training makes long car rides more pleasant for both humans and canines. Crates allow dogs to lay down and sleep without distracting the driver. It’s especially important for a dog to know how to behave in a crate during a flight since dogs must be contained on airplanes. You want to avoid sedating dogs during air travel since the American Veterinary Medical Association advises that sedation can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.
#1 Dog Crate MISCONCEPTION: “BUT My dog LOVES his crate. My dog runs back into his crate all the time, even when it’s unlocked.”
DEBUNKED: If your dog is refusing to leave his crate or constantly running back into his crate when unlocked, your dog is feeling insecure and uncomfortable in the environment outside of it. Most likely, you are not providing a safe and secure environment for your dog to relax beyond the crate. From obnoxious children to abusive training practices, a myriad of reasons can exist as to why dogs can’t relax outside of their crates. Such long-term confinement and isolation may have also caused your dog to feel insecure or unsafe outside of what he knows, esp. if he is spending the majority of his day inside a cage.
Imagine being consistently locked up in a cell every single day. When you are finally provided with an ounce of freedom, you either can’t wait to run off OR hesitate to leave. The hesitation stems from feelings of fear and anxiety of now having to navigate outside of the “unknown.” This behavior is commonly observed in confined dogs at shelters or the vet (in recovery). After being confined for an extended period, dogs can become so timid that they fear stepping outside of their cage for a potty break.
As a dog who was crated for 16-18+ hours daily in his former life (8-10 hours when my former dog parent was at work and another 8 hours at night), I no longer need a crate to feel safe. I still have a crate (that’s always wide open, unlocked) that I hardly go in anymore now that I have a King bed that I occasionally share with my humans.
Are Dog Crates Cruel? Should You Use A Dog Crate For Your Dog Or Puppy?
Dogs are social animals, and they love to sleep in groups. That’s why many people bring their dogs into their beds.
It’s hard to tell whether a dog likes his crate or would rather sleep in the open. Some dogs bark or whine when left alone in a crate, but others settle down quickly and go to sleep.
If your dog is used to sleeping with you, it’s best to start crate training by leaving him in the crate for short periods to get used to being alone. Then, gradually, increase the time he spends in the crate until he’s comfortable staying there for extended periods.