09/03/2026
Hey guys! Hannah and Angie made Chris sit still and answer some questions a while back.We wanted to roll these out over the next couple months so that people can gain insight on how we feel about certain things. Over the next few weeks we will talk about crate training, multidog household issues, the infamous dog parks and if they are worth it and many other common questions. This week we kick it off with crate training. Is it worth it? Why? Why shouldn't I just let them be free? Here are Chris' thoughts.
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Here are some pros and cons of training:
Pros:
*Teaches Emotional Regulation: Crate training serves as a tool for teaching a dog how to calm down.
*Emergency Preparedness: It ensures a dog is prepared for unexpected life events that require confinement, such as a sudden surgery or a family emergency.
*Easier Travel and Boarding: Training allows owners to utilize boarding facilities or travel for events like honeymoons or reunions without the dog experiencing extreme distress.
*Reduces Long-term Stress: By training a dog as a puppy, they become comfortable with the crate for the rest of their lives, even if they only use it occasionally as adults.
*Prevents Future Anxiety: Proactive training avoids the severe anxiety that occurs when an untrained adult dog is suddenly forced into a kennel environment.
Cons
*Difficulty Training Adults: Attempting to crate train an older dog (3 or 4 years old) that has never been in one is significantly more difficult than training a puppy.
*Potential for Self-Harm: If a dog is not properly prepared for a crate and is forced into one during a stressful time, they may try to bite the metal bars of the kennel.
*Behavioral and Health Risks: Unprepared dogs placed in crates may experience such high stress that they refuse to eat.
*Limited Care Options: Owners of untrained dogs may find themselves restricted to expensive alternatives, such as hiring people to come to their house, because the dog cannot handle being away from home.
