To Crate Or Not To Crate In the wild, dogs are naturally denning animals.  They seek out places that are sheltered and secure.  This instinct has been passed down to our domesticated doggies.  Ever see your dog curl up in a corner, under a table or desk?  If you have, you’ve witnessed the denning instinct in action.  When you bring a new puppy or dog home and just let it roam around the yard or inside the house, while you are at work or running errands, you are asking the pup to “fend for itself,” to survive in a new, strange environment.   Your puppy does not have the physical or psychological skills needed to survive on its own.  So, your puppy gets very nervous and anxious and calms itself by barking, escaping, chewing, digging, pacing, etc.  By crate training your puppy or dog you can relieve his stress in an appropriate manner.  This den will calm and settle your pet’s anxiety and provide you with an invaluable management and training tool. The molded plastic crate (used on airplanes) is good because it offers more shelter and security because it is enclosed.  If you have the wire type crate then you can provide more security by covering it with a blanket.  Most importantly the crate needs to be the right size.  The crate length should be 1 ½ times the length of your dog when full grown.  Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie down in the crate comfortably.  If you are purchasing the crate for a puppy, place something indestructible, like plywood, in the crate to act as a partition.  As the puppy grows move the partition to accommodate the growth.  The partition will keep him from soiling in the crate’s excess space. Put the crate near you (kitchen or living room) and not in some out of-the-way place. Give your dog a few days to get used to his new den and encourage your dog every time he goes near the crate.  Every interaction your dog has with his crate should be pleasant.  You will find that your dog will gladly go in the crate especially if he gets treats while he is in it.   Never use the crate as punishment.  Time outs are okay when done without emotion (no screaming, yelling, etc.).  Do not force your dog into the crate and do not over use the crate.  Your dog should not be “living” in it.  A puppy should be in the crate a maximum of 1 hour per month of age.  Once he is trained, do not leave the puppy in the crate any longer than 4 hours.  An adult dog (1 year of age and older) should not be in the crate any longer than 8 hours at a time.  By taking your time and letting your dog become acclimated to the crate, you can have an invaluable training tool and your companion can have a place to call his own.