Blog | Pros and Cons of Crate Training
30 May
May 30, 2022 | Categories: Dog Behaviour

Hi everyone!!

I am back! This time let’s talk about the Pros and Cons of Crate training your puppy.

Crate training has always been a point of confusion for all Pet Parents. Should you or should not crate train your doggo?

Here are the pros and cons of crate training that can hopefully help you decide what to do:

Benefits of Crate Training:

  1. It’s Convenient:
  • Dogs are social animals and love being around their hoomans all the time. But sometimes it can be quite difficult to have them following us around all the time. Especially if your dog is jumping on guests or begging at the dinner table or just being over excited – in such situations a crate is a great way to teach your dog downtime and teach him to calm down.
  • A crate is great when you want to run errands and want to keep your dog from destructive behaviours such as chewing furniture.
  • Bringing a crate can make life quite easy and make it convenient for you to train your dog to be calm and enjoy his own space.
  1. A Safe Haven:
  • The crate can be a safe haven for nervous dogs who can retreat to their crate in case they are uncomfortable.
  • Taking the crate with you on vacations helps the dog to feel less anxious in unfamiliar surroundings. It acts as a security blanket.
  • It also keeps your dog from harmful substances when you are not around or cannot keep an eye on your puppy.
  • The crate can become your dog’s personal space where he can go and relax.
  1. Solution for Housebreaking:
  • One of the biggest pros of crate training – it can be very helpful in housebreaking your puppy.
  • Dogs naturally do not eliminate where they sleep and eat, and crate training can teach your dog just that.
  • The crate also helps in preventing accidents at night or when you are not around.

But there are some cons too:

  1. Can be harmful:
  • If left inside a crate for lengthy periods can be detrimental and can cause physical harm to your dog.
  • If left alone for a long time, it can cause the dog to get desperate and cause behaviour issues in the long run.
  • For dogs with medical conditions, the crate may not be the best choice as it can cause discomfort and add to the health problems.
  • It can cause stress on the limbs from not being able to move around freely.
  • Puppies have small bladders and should not be in the crate for any more than 2-3 hours a day in short bursts.
  1. Can cause behaviour issues:
  • If a dog is left in the crate for a long time and not given any physical or mental stimulation it can cause the dog to become desperate and in turn create behaviour issues in the dog.
  • It can lead to frustration and emotional distress in your dog from having to be confined for a lengthy time.
  1. Carelessness can lead to danger:
  • It is important to puppy-proof the crate and checks for sharp edges to avoid hurting the dog in any way.
  • Never crate your dog with the collar or leash on as it can strangulate the dog.

So, there you are! Points to consider before you take the plunge…

If you do decide to crate train, here are a few tips:

  1. Be patient, give it time and be dedicated.
  2. Never associate the crate with punishment.
  3. Be careful while choosing the size of the crate.
  4. Do not leave your dog inside for long time periods.

Kalpaja Kamdar is a lawyer by education but a full-time dog trainer and behaviourist by passion and profession. She is a Shirin Merchant trained Canine Trainer & Behaviourist.