5 Benefits of Crate Training Your Dog

The DogGoneKnit.com mascots – Rhubarb, Shepherd and Pixie – were all crate trained and we’re huge fans of the practice. Read this post, learn from it, implement it and then love it. We’d also love to see photos of your new puppy, so please email them to us and make your new addition famous! And with no further ado, 5 Benefits of Crate Training:

The benefits of crate training make for a happier and healthier household. When a dog understands his boundaries, he can be more affection and loving towards the family he is part of. The owner will also benefit with loving obedient dog.

Why are Pixie (L) and Shep (R) being so polite to their giant snapping turtle guest? You guessed it: crate training!

1. A Crate Makes Housebreaking Easier
Housebreaking your dog becomes considerably easier when crate training because no dog likes to soil where they sleep (dog cages). Confinement to a dog cage helps the dog gain better bladder control by associating going outside with the act of relieving themselves.

Your dog will learn to get control of his need to eliminate since they do not like to rest in the area where they soil. Dogs are den animals that like to have their own quiet place and they’ll do everything they can to keep it clean. But remember, Puppies need to go out frequently to eliminate, so do not keep them in the crate for long periods of time.

2. Destructive Behaviors Are Limited
Dogs naturally enjoy chewing. Your dog needs to learn the things that are acceptable or not acceptable things to chew on. Since your dog is generally going to chew on something, would it not be better to chew on acceptable toys rather than your chair legs and shoes? Therefore, by providing safe chew toys in his crate, you will protect your house from damage and also teach your dog acceptable things to chew on in the house.

3. A Crate Keeps Your Dog Safe from Household Hazards
A house contains hundreds of potentially lethal objects for your dog. If you let your dog roams freely in the house unsupervised, you are really asking for trouble and you unnecessarily put your dog in danger. Your dog may not realize that chewing on electrical wires or eating plants or certain foods can potentially be dangerous. Crate training your dog will bring you peace of mind since your dog will be out of danger when you’re not around to supervise him.

4. Traveling in a Car Is Safer
A crate-trained dog will rest in his crate during a car drive and make the trip for you and him safer and more peaceful. Containment will eliminate some possible distractions if you have a very active dog.

5. Crates provides you dog security when he desires to rest or be alone.
Do you ever notice dogs sleeping under tables or desks? Naturally, dogs like small enclosed spaces in your home that may mimic a den. Dog crates can serve as a great refuge and excellent dens your dog can hangout in. Crates will also prepare your dog from some potentially stressful situations like going to the vet.

Crate training a dog is not only good for your dog – but also good for you. Do yourself and your dog a favor, buy a dog cage, and start crate training him today!