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Why do dog trainers push this one so much? It feels mean. We put our dogs in a jail when we leave.They cry, they pant, the look, it hurts so much to watch. It feels so cruel but while yes, there is a point of where it can cross the line. In my practice it has been so crucial to have success in your pets mental well-being. The reason is safety to your dog can be compared to a need. Crate training dogs teaches more than just patience and potty training. It allows your dog to learn how to keep themselves safe, especially when humans are not around. In dogs, separation anxiety is defined as: anxiety provoked when apart from a guardian. Symptoms can include, self-mutilation, drooling, barking, stress, whining, pacing and destruction. Many pets I have worked with in practice, while in training, need to be on medication prescribed by a vet. By teaching crate training this all can be easily prevented. I do not know many properly crate trained dogs who also struggle with feeling safe without their person. Crate training can be time consuming and your dog seems to hate it. So where should you start? The biggest goal for crate training is to help your dog feel safe. My two recommendations when starting to teach crate training is to take a treat/toy your dog enjoys and toss it into the crate, repeat. From there make it a training activity. Point at the crate, say "Go into your bed"then throw the treat/toy. Repeat. This adds safety by having treats/toys/training (something your dog enjoys) paired with the crate. There by creating safety. The second recommendation is to make the crate feel safe through management.
Making sure the crate is appropriate size for your dog, have a deemed safe bed/toys for your dog in the crate. You then put your dog in the crate to feed them, give enrichment toys, chews, while your in the room. Easy right? If not remember ask yourself "what makes my dog feel safe", then pair with the crate. Overall crate training can give your dog the safety they crave. By avoiding practicing you can be putting your dogs mental safety at risk. So crate up!