Crate training may seem like a daunting task or maybe even cruel! I promise you that crate training is 100% worth it and it's NOT cruel!
I began crate training my Karelian Bear Dog, Kintla, the first day I brought her home. I'm so happy I crate trained, and I couldn’t imagine our lives without a crate! Kintla quickly learned to love her crate, and she still loves it today! She loves her crate because it's her own space and I never encroach on her time in the crate.
Creating a safe space for your dog to call their own is so important! A crate provides them with a den to escape the hectic world or simply relax. When Kintla is in her crate, I never reach in to disturb her as that would invade her space. I only enter her crate to clean it. Many people wrongly believe a crate is no longer beneficial once a puppy has grown up and matured a bit, but the crate is still necessary! Imagine if someone just took away your private room once you grew up a little—wouldn’t that suck?
The crate is an excellent tool that provides privacy and space to your dog. An important tip for crate training: never use the crate as a training tool. It should not become a "babysitter," or a place you lock them when you want to forget about them and do something else. If you don’t have time for a rambunctious puppy then maybe you shouldn't own one! It's not fair to lock a puppy or dog in the crate simply because you are busy with something else. Be fair with their time in the crate and ALWAYS exercise them before putting them inside the crate. They will be more apt to nap and you won’t have to pull your hair out listening to them whine.
When I first brought Kintla home, I slept near her crate for a bit because that made her comfortable. Eventually, I migrated to the couch and after a month or so, I was able to sleep in another room with no problem. I still got up every few hours to take her out, but she was comfortable being in her crate alone.
In the beginning, when she napped throughout the day, I would pick her up and place her in her crate and close the door. She would nap peacefully but then wake up and cry, which is normal. I would wait for the split second she was quiet and then let her out, so she associates quiet with being let out. A year later, she does not cry in the crate and happily takes naps in there. If I go to the store or visit a friend’s house, I know she's safe in her crate and I don’t worry about her. I always exercise her and let her go to the bathroom prior to entering the crate, so I know she can comfortably relax while I’m away.
I would recommend crate training to any new puppy owner as it's an incredibly useful tool! If you are curious to learn more, check out my in-depth crate training blog here: How To Crate Train A Puppy