Puppies and adult dogs alike, a dog crate can be a useful training tool for dogs of any age. Dogs naturally crave shelter even indoors, they’ll find it under a table, chair or bed, pretty much anywhere that makes them feel safe and secure. By providing a dog crate for your dog, you are providing the security you want in a clean and safe environment that you control. Dogs naturally avoid making a mess of their “den” and by putting your pup in a crate you are encouraging him to hold his bladder until he is in an appropriate area. Once dogs have reached maturity at 3 to 6 months, they gain the ability to hold their bladder and potty training becomes more possible.

Using a dog crate is designed for dogs of any age, it can not only be helpful for potty training, but also help prevent property damage. Keeping your dog inside his dog crate while you’re out of the house or at work can prevent you from coming home to a house full of chewed up pillows and dirty carpets.

When trying to decide when to stop using a dog crate, the answer is entirely up to the dog. Some only use a crate when they are still puppies, but others will use their crate as their own place to feel safe throughout their lives. For older dogs, young children and other pets can cause your dog to become stressed and having a place where they can go to feel safe and alone is critical to the well-being of some dogs. Other dogs prefer the hustle and bustle of everyday life and then a dog crate is not needed. Be sure to place his crate close to the daily activity of the house, dogs are naturally social animals and usually crave the presence of their owners.

To prevent barking, a dog crate cover should be used. Typical dog crates are constructed of metal wire and are exposed on 5 sides, but simply by using a cover, which can be a towel over the top, your dog’s visibility is decreased. If your dog doesn’t know he’s there, he won’t bark to get attention. If you think your dog is suffering from separation anxiety and is showing signs such as excessive chewing and salivation, scratching at walls, floors and doors (most commonly exit doors) and, in the worst cases, escape attempts through windows and doors, seek professional attention to find the best way to fix it. help your dog.

One last thing to make sure of is to get a crate that fits your dog, having a crate that is too big can make a dog uncomfortable and a crate that is too small will not be comfortable. By using the right dog crate, you can ease the stress of coming home to a destroyed house and help your dog feel safe.