03/14/2026
Crate training and why it’s important!
All dogs, yes ALL dogs should be crate trained. Even if you intend to keep them out all the time. Even if they’re good. Even if whatever.
Dogs that have to stay overnight at the vet will be crated. Hurt dogs and sick dogs are stressed dogs. The worst thing we can do to dogs is make things more stressful by not giving them proper crate training before an emergency happens.
The safest way for dogs to travel is in a crash tested crate. They need to be comfortable in a crate to do that.
Pepper is demonstrating comfortable crate trained behavior. She put herself in the crate to give herself some time away from the other dogs. My dogs know that they’re not allowed in another dog’s crate without my permission. They are like bedrooms for each dog to have a quiet space to go to.
Crate training should always be a positive experience. All the good thing happen in the crate! Dinner is in the crate. Filled kong toys are in the crate. It’s done slowly, with the door closed for only a few seconds, then a minute, then a few minutes, and extending the time as the dog gets comfortable with it.
Crate training needs to be maintained. No, the dog doesn’t need to be crated every day, but they should get practice every so often with being in a crate for an extended period of time.
And, of course, crates don’t mean a dog should stay in them all day! They need to be able to come out to exercise and socialize.
