Crates give dogs a sense of security. They naturally look for places to protect themselves from the environment. This tool therefore helps with anxiety which may be caused by their surroundings, fireworks, active children, and other animals. The crate gives them a place to hide and feel safe.

It also helps put dog owners’ minds at ease, when they are unable to supervise their dog’s activities. They know their dog is safe in the crate and not getting into trouble. It also makes traveling easier and safer. Another important benefit is if there is an emergency, the dog is already comfortable with using the crate. This is definitely no the time to introduce them to the crate. It will most likely add to their anxiety.

Crate training should be a slow process and needs to be a positive experience. I recently watched Zak George on YouTube. He has some very informative videos on this subject. Here’s one to start: https://youtu.be/hesi8WxLWVE

Zak does plug Contour Crate by Mid West for the crate of his choice. https://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/product/30-contour-dog-crate He likes the two doors with divider panel. The ones I purchased for my dog are the Retriever single door crates with a divider panel at Tractor Supply. I wish they had the double doors when I went there. At the time, I couldn’t be picky. However Tractor Supply does carry the double door version. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/retriever-2-door-dog-wire-crate

A very important side note! Do not crate your puppy with a collar or harness on. It’s a very unsafe practice which can result in strangulation.

One final note, there are different kinds of crates for different situations. The metal crate is great for everyday use, while the plastic crate (not chew proof) is perfect for traveling. Soft side crates are ok for going shopping or traveling in the airplane cabin with your dog, however, don’t leave them unattended. They may be able to break through the fabric and screen.