Not everybody agrees on the benefits of crate training.
With crate training the dog is put in a cage, usually made out of plastic or metal that?s about the size of your dog, for shorter periods of time over the day.
Advocates of crate training think that the crate will offer the dog a little home for himself where he can rest and feel at ease. This little room for him makes him feel save. He?ll have a blanket for a familiar smell and comfort and his toys for entertainment.
Supporters of crate training will tell you that it is much easier to potty train your puppy. As dogs don?t like to soil their nest they will wait until they?re set lose before doing a pee or a pooh.
On the other hand, opponents argue that locking your dog into a cage with just enough space to turn around undermines his nature to explore. The dog can?t wander around and isn?t stimulated by new experiences.
People against the use of crates argue that puppies do play in their own waste as can sometimes be seen in pet shop windows. Locking the dog away, they say, is more for the convenience of the owner than for the well-being of the dog.
As always there is something to say for both points of view. There are not many scientific studies done on this subject and opinions differ evenly. Provided you don?t let your puppy to long in the crate and you walk him regularly, crate training probably is a good way to train your dog.
Even proponents recognize that excessive time in a crate is bad for the dog. Any dog locked up in a small space is not getting the exercise he needs and may be restrained from evacuating for longer than is healthy. So I recommend to keep the crate time to no more than two hours maximum.
Opponents worry that dogs in their crate can harm themselves when they make attempts to open the crate to escape, or because they?re bored. Always use a safe crate, one that?s designed especially for dogs. The crate should be sturdy enough, so it can resist your dogs? attempts to get out. And above all make sure the crate can?t fall over.
People in favor of crate training say that a crate trained dog is much easier to travel with. They?re used to the crate, that is also used for car, train and air travel. They are comfortable in their crate, above all if they have some of their own toys with them.
On the other hand critics state that it?s better to leave your dog at home and ask someone else to take care of him when you?re traveling. Apart from their walks and other short trips, dogs feel best when they are on familiar territory.
But after all you should decide. You might want to give crate training a try and see for yourself. You?ll be the judge and decide if this is for your dog or not.
