Dogs are den animals.
One method of housetraining, called crate training, relies on a dog's own natural tendency to seek out those cozy and secure places. An open crate is kind of like an indoor doghouse. While its primary function is to serve as a bed or den, used correctly and for brief periods of time, it can also be an ideal tool to housetrain your pet or keep those canines who suffer from separation anxiety from destroying the house while you run a few errands. However, the dog is not supposed to live locked in the crate. Endless hours in the crate can lead to severe social and isolation problems for your dog- and he will no longer see the crate as a special retreat.