I am crate trained and proud of it. I have had several crates in my 10 years and I have loved them all. For a long time I had a flight kennel - the hard plastic crate that is used for airline transport.
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| In my flight kennel...can you see me in there? |
Now, I have a soft-sided fabric crate that is extra long so I can hide in the way back if I need my space.
I was crate trained by Ma when I was just a pup. I took to it right away, only whining the first two nights; after that, I only whined if I had to go out to pee. Now, I go in there whenever I want, the door is never closed, it's where I hoard my toys...it is my den.
A great way to utilize a crate is when housebreaking a puppy or new dog. Since dogs so not like to relieve themselves where they sleep, a crate can be a great tool for them to learn how to 1) hold their business and 2) let you know when they have to do their business. A crate is also a good tool for teaching a puppy not to chew on all your furniture when you are not home.
Of course, a crate should never be used as punishment for your dog. That will only make a dog hate the crate, as they will feel trapped and frustrated.
Like I said, I love my crate and having my own personal space has its benefits. Here are my 4 Benefits of Crate Training:
1) It's my safe place. Whether I just need an afternoon nap or if I am going to ride out a loud thunderstorm, I always feel safe in my crate.
2) Transport. If you are small like me, you can actually be carried in a crate. You can also use it while riding in the car. It is great for everyday as well as emergency evacuation.
3) Travel. Hotels like it when Ma says I am crate trained. This way they know if I am left in the room, I am not left free to destroy anything.
4) Injury and recovery. As you know, my paw is currently hurt and in a splint. I have been spending a lot of time resting in my crate so I can recuperate from my injury more quickly. I also have no issue with being "kenneled" at the vet since I am crate-trained which helps eliminate that additional stressor when I am not feeling well.
Many local and online pet stores have a good variety of crates to suit almost every size dog. There are flight kennels (plastic airline crates), fabric crates (like the one I now have) and collapsible metal pens. No matter which style you choose, just be sure it is big enough for your dog to stand and turn around in but small enough that is still feels like a secure den.
Are you crate trained?
If so, what do you think is a benefit of being crate trained?
If so, what do you think is a benefit of being crate trained?
I guess when you think about it a crate is like a wolfs den - a safe place to be. We have never been one to use crates except for when we travel
ReplyDeleteLaika is crate trained and I must admit it took me awhile to get used to the idea. But I must say it made her puppy stage an absolute breeze, and she really does love it. We don't "use" it anymore but it's still out because she likes to sleep in there and rest.
ReplyDeleteAll of my pack mates are crate trained. It's our SAFE PLACE to go, especially when one of us finds something we shouldn't have. Great place to hide socks....and car keys! :)
ReplyDeletePawsome tent dude or should we say crate? We have none here and I am not crate trained although I did get put into a big old box once as a puppy when I was very, very naughty and peeps had had enough LOL. I bit my way out of it. Happy days. Have a fabulous Friday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
It's hard to imagine there is anyone out there that doesn't use a crate these days....at least during the housebreaking/teething stage of puppyhood.
ReplyDeleteMy guys don't use a crate at home but they need them when we attend agility trials. There they are an absolute must.
I'm sadly not crate trained... I even ignored the castle they bought for me. Also the jogger they bought for me was a mispurchase. My mom is a little sad sometimes, because if I would accept a crate or a box, some things would be much easier...
ReplyDeleteMy dogs have always been crate trained. They were only shut in their crate for potty training purposes. Now it's just a nice relaxing place for them where they can get away from the commotion. I think it's really important to have a safe place that can also be utilized if need be.
ReplyDeleteWe were crate trained as pups. Whenever we went anywhere we were in our crates until we got bigger and then we started to just wear our seatbelts. Our crates are downstairs so we never really get in them. Except after we get groomed or just combed out. Our pawrents will say "Go in your crate" and we walk in them, turn around and walk back out. It seems crazy to us but then we always get a treat.
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Arty is the only one of us that likes to hang out in his crate...Jakey is afraid of them (we think something bad happened to him before he came to live with us). Bilbo and I are crate trained...but not as "den oriented" as Mr. Arty Puppypants.
ReplyDeleteArty just loves his crate and like you Oz, he goes in it whenever he needs his space!
Smileys!
Dory
Oz I love your soft crate and OMDs it is our favorite color RED!
ReplyDeleteHugs madi your bfff
Both of my girls are crate trained and they love their crates. Zoe actually sleeps in hers at night, Phoenix has the option to but she generally prefers her dog bed. They are both fed in their crates, as well. One of the things a lot of people forget about is that if their dog ever needs to stay at the vet or go to the groomer, their dogs will be crated. I've personally seen dogs freak out and injure themselves trying to escape because they've never been crate trained before. It makes it so much easier on the dogs, especially in what could potentially be a stressful environment, if they already have some crate training.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a good boy Oz! Have a happy weekend pal!
ReplyDeleteI like that Teddy/ Our Tubby is not crate trained he just would go crazy and injure himself. All of our other dogs are trained and Bob in particularly loves his crate
ReplyDeleteretro rover
We are not a crate family. As pups we get crated when Mom is gone, but that is about it. Mom doesn't like having crates around and feels we need to learn to live in the house like everyone else, right or wrong, that is how we roll. We do use a baby gate now and then if there are issues. We tried a soft sided crate for Bailie for travel, but she chewed her way out in about 5 mins, so that much for that. We are kenneled at nose work class...well, should be, but Bailie has also busted out of two of those kennels, so now she has the super duper secure kennel.
ReplyDeleteHi Oz! First, I hope you are feeling better, you poor thing! Dakota is (was) crate-trained, but while we still have it, he no longer uses it. We LOVED it and so did Dakota for almost the first 3 yrs of his life. Then, one day, he decided he was "over it" and that was it! We moved it into the bedroom (where Dakota doesn't go), but we keep it in the event we ever need it. We are HUGE believers in crate training!
ReplyDeleteOh Oz! Your poor paw! :(
ReplyDeleteI have crated all of my huskies. They now are able to have full run of the house, but at a young age, the crate came in very very handy!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
We have always crate-trained our dogs. Bentley used to open his with his nose and go inside. He doesn't use his anymore since we are home with him. Pierre loves his kennel. My Golden would get inside his kennel, but he didn't like it very much.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sugar is crate trained. It is important and helpful in many ways. PAWsome post OZ. Hope you are recovering well from your injury. Golden Woofs
ReplyDeleteYour crate looks so cozy and comfy Oz I can see why you like it there. I was crate trained as a puppy but around 6 months I let them know that I would be sleeping with them from then on. But mom likes the idea of you using for a safe place and she thinks I should have that so will look in to it. Thanks! Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteOh no! I've been out of the loop for a bit, and didn't know you had a splint on your foot. Hope it heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's beagle is crate trained.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteAfter Pierson broke out of his crate and gave himself a severe bloody nose, I stopped trying to crate train him. Since he did well with not pottying in the house and with not getting into things, I decided it wasn't necessary for him. Maya, on the other hand, needed crate training. While she didn't get into things when I was gone, potty training for her took a lot of effort. Now she is old enough not to be closed in her crate, but I still have it for her and she still uses it. Pierson uses it sometimes too. He likes it so long as I don't close the door.
ReplyDeleteHaving a crate helped us SO MUCH with Luke's house training and just in general having a puppy. It was only the second time we had tried a crate, and it worked very well for him. He finally outgrew his, so we stopped using it then.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
I haz a crate too my pal....i kwite liked it.... now is just used for lokkin up Lola she her bein a pain in da butt (*all da time)
ReplyDeleteBig fan of crate training for all the reasons you gave. Rudy is especially good about going into any crate, including at the vet's.
ReplyDeleteI like crate training too Oz. Shiner is not crate trained unfortunately, though. I made that mistake when she was a puppy... we tried putting her in one at night, but gave in to her horrible whining and crying. Of course now, I'm not sure where I would put a crate in my house as I don't have much room. But it would have been nice when she was a younger dog. You look so happy in yours!
ReplyDeleteBrown dawgs are crate trained, but only Freighter breaks out from time to time...lol.
ReplyDelete