If you’re looking to start a heated discussion, at least in the canine community, try bringing up the topic of crating your pup the next time you’re among friends. You may find some individuals to be appalled by the idea, while others are all for crating your dog for training purposes. Some state it’s an excellent method for house training your dog while others don’t feel comfortable caging their pet. So, who’s right and who’s wrong? Should you crate train your own dog?
Ultimately, that’s for you to decide taking into account your lifestyle and the temperament of your dog. We’re proponents of what works best for you while taking care of your pet in a responsible manner. So, yes, crate training can be a tool to train your pet if used properly. But before we dive into that, there’s a common phrase that’s frequently used for crate training that needs to be examined.
Debunking the “Denning Instinct”
In just about every single article about crate training, you’ll find this little phrase called a “denning instinct” that all canines seem to possess. Many advocates of crate training state that dogs have this natural tendency to seek out dens in order to feel safe and secure. It’s a method passed down from their ancestor the wolf to protect themselves from predators. Now, that’s a fine theory and all, except there are some problems with it.
The first issue with this “denning instinct” is that wolves do not use dens, unless they are birthing pups. In which case, only the female will seek out a den to keep her offspring safe. The cubs remain there until about 8-10 weeks old at which point they are moved out into the open to a different rendezvous point to be with the pack. For the rest of their lives, they remain in the open and seek shelter under trees until it’s time to birth pups. You’ll find that many animals exhibit this behavior including most felines, hyenas, African Wild Dogs, etc. but the only time this “denning instinct” can be found is in reference to dogs and crate training.
The second problem has to do with the fact that wolves are apex predators. This means they’re on the top of the food chain, so why would they need to hide from predators? Yes, bears and even other wolves will kill a wolf, but that’s rare. It makes sense for a mother wolf to hide her pups because they’re helpless, but it’s not a long term thing. Also, since most wolves are running around in packs, there isn’t a need to seek safety in a den when they have safety in numbers. (This isn’t taking into account humans hunting wolves, but that’s a separate issue).
The third and final problem is that dogs are not wolves. You cannot plop a Chihuahua down in the middle of a wolf pack and expect it to behave and act like a little mini wolf. No, it’s going to flee right back into your arms because it is a dog and after thousands of years of domestication dogs have changed and attuned themselves to be man’s best friend. Expecting a dog to have all of the natural behaviors of a wolf isn’t fair to your furry canine.
What is appropriate and fair is looking at your dog and its personal history, behavior, and natural instincts according to its breed. Terriers were bred to dig underground and hunt wildlife so they’ll have a natural tendency to burrow and possess high energy. Sheep herding dogs were bred to guard and protect livestock against predators, working outside all day. A shelter dog may have been abandoned several times previously and despise anything that looks remotely like a cage.
Of course, this depends upon the temperament of each individual dog, but you get the idea. All of these factors need to be taken into account when deciding on how to train your own pup.
Dogs have learned to trust and follow people. According to one study, even wild dogs prefer living in close proximity to humans and begging for scraps than braving the wild. That means they would rather listen and please people by learning how to adapt to a crate than be left all alone or abandoned. So, to say that dogs have a natural inclination towards a crate because of this “denning instinct” sounds like propaganda. What makes more sense is that your dog wants to please you, plain and simple.
Now, with that all being said, crates do have a purpose. Dogs can learn how to use them and some may even seek out their kennel in order to avoid chaos, but this is usually after they’ve been trained to associate crates with positive experiences. Crates can be very effective and useful tools if used correctly.
When Can A Crate Be A Good Idea?
There are several reasons why people recommend using a crate to train your dog.
- ~House Training – Crate training can help teach your pooch when it’s appropriate to go to the bathroom. This plays into the idea that your dog doesn’t like to defecate where it sleeps (honestly, does any animal?) and will hold it until they are let out of the crate. They can learn to associate that once they are let out it’s time to go potty.
- ~General Safety – A new puppy or dog doesn’t know the rules of the house. If you can’t watch your dog for short periods of time, putting them into the crate can give you peace of mind that they won’t get into anything they shouldn’t.
- ~Safe Zone – If your pup needs a break, their kennel can be a place of safety and peace. If they become too hyperactive or scared, the crate can be a good place for them to hide out and not be bothered by children or other pets. Also, if your dog undergoes surgery and needs a place to rest a kennel is an excellent option to give them the space they need to recover.
- ~Transportation – If you need to travel with your pup, whether in a car or on an airplane, having them get used to a crate is a good idea. Also, your dog may need to be crated when they visit the vet. Having a pleasant association with a crate will make all those factors easier on your pup.
It’s important that if you decide to crate train your dog that their kennel remains a place of comfort and safety, never a punishment. If you notice your dog freaking out about going into their kennel (panting, drooling, dragging their feet, whimpering, urinating, vomiting, lowered ears and tucked in tail) take a step back. Maybe a crate isn’t a good idea, or you need to go back to the drawing board and teach your dog that the kennel is a happy place filled with treats and toys. If you continue to push your dog to do something they fear and hate, the problem will only get worse. This brings us to the next point.
When You Should NOT Use A Crate
As was mentioned, a crate can be an excellent training tool when used well. When dogs associate kennels with treats and positive experiences they become a safety zone where your pup can retreat to. However, crates can also be misused. Never use a crate as
- ~A Punishment Device – A crate should never be used as a punishment or timeout for your dog. If your dog is doing an annoying behavior, sticking them in the kennel is not going to fix the behavior. It only exacerbates the problem.
- ~Solitary Confinement – Your dog wants to be with you. Their kennel should be in a quiet, but active area of the house. Keeping your pup locked up for hours so you can have some peace and quiet in the other room isn’t fair to your dog.
- ~A Prison Cell – Dogs need exercise. They need to stretch, play, and move around. If your dog is stuck in a kennel for a full work day (8 hours) on top of a full night (another 6-8 hours totaling 14-16 hours) every day 24/7 could be considered abuse. This kind of treatment can lead to a whole host of psychological disorders and behavioral issues including hyperactivity, aggression, and depression.
Granted, life happens and most people have to work. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, and most people can’t bring their dog with them everywhere or always keep an eye on them. If you can’t trust your dog around the house, then maybe consider asking a family member or friend to come halfway through the day to give your dog a potty break and exercise. Look into hiring a dog walker or take your pup to a doggie daycare to give them a break. You could also dog proof a room or use a dog run so your pup has some freedom to move and stretch.
Keeping your dog crated for hours upon hours simply because it’s easy doesn’t mean that it’s the best thing for your dog.
Conclusion
If you believe that crate training is the right fit for you and your dog, check out this article by Labrador HQ. It’s an informative and insightful article on the subject and goes into great detail on how to train your pup right. The website is focused on Labrador Retrievers, but the post is applicable to all dogs and the author does an excellent job answering people’s questions with detailed responses and links.
When training your own dog, it’s important to get the facts. You’re going to find lots of opinions and posts about what you should and shouldn’t do concerning doggie diets, housing, training, and care. Take everything you read (including our articles) with a grain of salt. Crate training might be the perfect solution for your situation or it may not be. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you will find a good method for you and your pup.
Have you crate trained your dog? What are your thoughts on this?