Like many pet owners, I wondered whether dog crates were cruel and unusual punishment.
Am I depriving my dogs of the freedom they crave? Would placing them in a dog crate have a negative impact on their disposition? Would they be happy? When I first became a pet owner, about 14 years ago, I strongly opposed the thought of putting any of my dogs in a dog crate.
I wanted them to have the same freedoms I had when I was home.
I wanted them to be able to nap on the sofa, play with their toys or to just get up and stretch their legs when they wanted to.
I didn't want them to feel like prisoners in their own home.
Well, the truth is, dogs are den animals.
Before we domesticated them, they would find a place that they felt safe and secure from predators and dig a small shallow hole in the ground to sleep in.
They dug the hole just big enough for them to lie down and turn around in.
Although domesticated dogs no longer face the same challenges from predators as their ancestors, their desire for a safe and cozy place to rest remains.
The dog crate acts as a modern day den for dogs.
My dogs each have their own crate.
Often times, I find them sleeping in their crate at their own free will.
Each of them knows which crate is theirs and enjoys having a special place to call their own.
Crates are also commonly used as a housebreaking tool.
Many experts believe that crate training is the easiest and most effective way to housebreak your dog.
Dogs, generally like their sleeping areas clean and will avoid soiling in these areas.
Crate training, when done correctly, will keep both you and your dog happy.
My form of housebreaking was ineffective.
I tried giving them free reign of the house and reading their minds when they needed to go outside.
After replacing carpet and flooring, I discovered I am not a mind reader.
Dog crates also serve to keep your dog safe when you are not home or are not able to keep an eye on him/her, especially when he/she is a puppy.
Puppies are curious and tend to get into things.
They also love to chew.
One of my dogs liked to chew on electrical cords when she was a puppy while another liked to chew on my kitchen table legs.
It is always a good idea to puppy proof your house as you would child proof your house for a toddler.
However, there is always a chance that there is something you missed to puppy proof or your puppy found a way around it.
There are a number of benefits to having a dog crate and for me it's a must.
They provide your dog with a safe, cozy place to rest which will make them happy.
They are beneficial in housebreaking which will make you happy.
They also provide a safe and secure place for your dog when you are not home.