To Crate or Not to Crate?

I have been experimenting with and observing the impact of crates over the past six years and here is my opinion: Crates are supportive for most dogs and households and imperative for many.

For a puppy, crates are helpful for potty training, healthy separation, encouraging relaxation, and traveling comfortably in a vehicle. For a dog who experiences behavior challenges like separation anxiety, reactivity at windows, destructiveness, possessiveness, or fear of strangers, the crate can serves as a safe space and a healthy boundary. Crates can also create safety in the case of emergencies or natural disasters. If a dog needs to stay elsewhere or be left alone somewhere unfamiliar, a positive crate association can make quite the difference during a transitional time.

How to introduce a crate?: There are many ways; here's one. First, acquire an appropriately sized crate. A dog should be able to fully stand and turn around in their crate. Then, I bring it into a common space in the household and put a cozy bed in it-if it's a bed your dog already loves-great! It can serve as a familiar bridge to a new resting place. I leave the crate doors open and allow the dog to investigate and be around it. If they go in on their own, great! I'd reward this with calm praise.

After a lengthy structured walk and bathroom break, preferably before meal or snack-time, bring your dog into the home on leash and gently guide them into the crate door. Pay attention to your dog's state of mind. If they are neutral/calm-great, this is what we're hoping for. The next thing we'd like to see is them do is decide sit or lay down, presenting relaxed body language. Do not use commands, allow them to make this decision naturally, in their own time. It's ok if that doesn't happen right away.

If your dog is calm, even if they're still standing, deliver a snack or meal into their crate and shut the door. You'll want to be sure your body language and state are also calm and relaxed, to model for your dog how you want them to feel.

Once they are finished and still in a neutral state, open the door to let them out. If they scramble to get out quickly, gently shut the door and wait until they are more settled. This may need to be repeated. More crate info to come in later posts. :)