The Importance of Crate Training

So many people fail to realize just how important it is for your puppy to have a safe place to retreat, a comfy place to sleep, or even just a place for your puppy to hang out when constant supervision isn’t an option at the moment. Puppies are pack animals, and whether that pack is other dogs or it’s humans, they are expected to integrate into their families with as little trouble as possible. A puppy that is crate trained, will typically mesh better within their family than those that are not.

When is a crate appropriate for your puppy? Well, where do I begin? When it’s nighttime and everyone is going to bed, your puppy should have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. In their crate, they are safe from getting into things that could cause harm. A puppy‘s crate is equivalent to a “den”. When it’s time to leave the house for whatever reason, a crate keeps your puppy from tearing things up in the house, as well as keeping them from getting hurt or ingesting something that could make them sick…or worse. And when it’s time to fix supper, well, I think you get the idea. Most puppies and dogs learn to love their crate and willingly retreat there when they’re in need of a break, or even if they’re just ready to take a nap. A puppy’s crate can also be used as a “time out” much like when our children need a little reset. Just make sure that you’re not over-using it for that purpose.

So for those of you that are struggling with how and why to crate train, you are not alone. Feel free to reach out to me with questions or ideas on how to help your puppy adjust to their crate. And for additional help, ask me how Baxter & Bella’s Online Puppy School can help you like it has helped thousands! Our discount code “KNOX“ gets you a 25% discount on the lifetime membership.