Being comfortable being in a crate is an essential skill for all dogs to have for a multitude of reasons.
- It’s a useful tool for potty training
- It helps keep your puppy or dog safe when they can’t be actively watched
- It can be a safe space for your dog to go to self regulate when they’re feeling overwhelmed or nervous
- It’s a great place to teach your dog to go when company comes or there are toddlers around
But my most important reason is that, if your dog ever needs to spend a day at the vet without you, it’s likely going to be a stressful day for them in general. Being kept in a crate at the vet when not being used to being crated can cause additional stress, fear, and anxiety, so why not teach them that the crate is a wonderful safe space to spend some of their time, just in case they have to some day. It’s sort of like insurance for your car in that aspect.
Nanci Creedon is a certified behaviour consultant in Ireland who has made this crate training video that has surpassed any other that I have found so far.