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Is crate training a good way to train your dog? There are plenty of people on both sides of this question; crating, as you may know is a method of dog training which involves keeping your dog in a small cage for short periods of time. The cage, or crate as it is called is typically metal or plastic and is just large enough for the dog to turn around in, but no larger.

On the pro-crating side, people who use crate training say that it is a place which a dog can call its own ” a refuge from unpleasant sounds and the rambunctious behavior of children. As mentioned above, they also argue in favor of crating a dog as part of the housebreaking process, averring that this trains a dog to wait until they are taken outside to eliminate.

Those who oppose crate training argue that crating a dog prevents it from acting in accordance with its instincts, keeping the animal from exploring the sights, sounds and smells of its environment.

The no-crating crowd point to those instances where puppies will go ahead and soil themselves while in the crate, despite the arguments made by the proponents of crate training. They make the argument that crate training is really more about the owner’s convenience than it is the best interests of their pet.

Now of course both sides make some valid points and no one doubts the good intentions of either camp. Studies done on the subject have yet to yield anything close to a definitive answer. The general consensus, however is that as long as it is done with care and common sense there is little to no harm and indeed there is some good which can come from crate training.

No one, not even the biggest backers of crate training would say that keeping a dog in a crate for an extended period of time is a good thing. You should never keep your dog in a crate for more than four hours ” any longer than this is really too much time to deprive an animal of the ability to move freely and to take care of nature’s call.

When crating your dog, you have to choose your crate very carefully to prevent accidental injury to your pet. Look closely at the cage and make sure that there are no places where your dog’s collar could become snagged and that it is free of sharp edges which could injure your pet. The cage should also be very sturdy ” the cage should not break under the strain of your dog shoving against the sides and most importantly of all, the cage should be heavy enough that your dog cannot tip it over.

There is one benefit to crate training which bears mentioning here, which is that pets which have been crate trained tend to have far fewer problems with travel. They’ll be used to staying in a small space and they’ll also have familiar smells when in their crate ” which goes a long way towards keeping them comfortable during the somewhat stressful experience of travel.

Another school of thought holds that pets should be left at home while their owners travel anyway. However, if it is necessary to travel with your pet, use a well built crate which prevents any foreign objects getting in, as well as falling out.

There’s not going to be an agreement on crate training in the near future; that much is certain. It’s best to decide for yourself. Try crating your dog for a couple of weeks, followed by leaving the door of the crate open and let your dog vote with their feet ” do they steer clear of the crate or do they choose it as a favored spot for their naps? Let your dog have a say and you’ll have a happier pet.

Learn to pick the correct Dog Bedding for your dog. Don’t let Puppy Potty Training become a prolonged or tedious affair.