Many pet owners have a negative association with crates. They see crating as imprisoning the dog. However, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends crate training your dog. According to the AKC, dogs are den animals out in the wild, so they like to have a small, enclosed space to feel secure.
As listed by the AKC, other key benefits to using a crate include:
Dog crates get the dog used to enclosed spaces, so when they have to be in a cage for vet care, crated while recovering from surgery or are boarded, they are used to the environment.
If a dog associates a crate with a place to rest, they can often manage their own anxiety. The crate becomes a safe place to go when they feel anxious, like during fireworks or a thunderstorm. It's a little like a child having their own room to retreat into.
Crates can keep puppies, known for getting into everything, safe when you cannot watch them. The crate can also help puppies learn to hold their waste for longer because they do not like to mess where they lay.
Rescue dogs often like a place to feel secure in a new environment. If they have abuse in their past, they especially need a place where they know they are safe and no one will harm or bother them.
Older dogs often like the place to retreat. They need frequent rest and peace, especially if there are kids or other dogs around.
With all these benefits, it might be time to crate train your dog if you have not already.
But keep in mind, with a purchase like dog crates, you cannot just willy-nilly throw one into your home. The Humane Society of the United States recommends that you place the crate in an area where you spend a lot of time, like the living room, to start. You don't want the dog to associate the crate with exile. After training is complete, you can move the crate to a location you prefer. Common sense goes a long way when finding a permanent spot: don't place the crate where the dog is too isolated and do place the crate where the area is still room temperature.