05/23/2022
So true! We always recommend crate training.
Callie sees her crate as a safe space it’s her den.
New Puppy?
Crate Training (Overview)
People who have never owned a dog before sometimes make the mistake of equating a crate with a jail cell and wonder why you’d punish a little puppy by sticking them in jail. But this has it all backward. From the puppy’s point of view, going to the crate is much more like a retreat to a cozy inn. It’s a place of tranquility, warmth, and comfort. The term we like to use for crate training is “thoughtful confinement.” The crate will serve as your puppy’s home within your home.
Puppy Perspective
Did you ever wonder why dogs are so drawn to hanging out under tables, under the bed, and in other little hidey-holes? It’s because dogs are den animals. They love to feel protected inside a shelter. A puppy, therefore, views a crate as a den. Puppies also view their crate primarily as their bedroom. And they were born with a deep drive to avoid soiling their sleeping quarters. While we hope we’ve made it clear that you should view the crate as your puppy does—a cozy little den—that doesn’t mean they want to spend all day in there. It’s a happy safe space, but your home has plenty of other places they should enjoy exploring (supervised, of course) throughout the day.
- Mark Van Wye
(More later on how to properly introduce your new puppy to her crate.)
