Is Crate Training Necessary? Is It Cruel? 17 Pros, Cons & Benefits of Crate Training a Dog | Pupford

As your puppy whines in their crate for the 2nd hour straight you may start to wonder, is crate training necessary?!

While I firmly believe that pup parents should make informed decisions that fit their lifestyle and dog, crate training is a topic that many feel very strongly about whether it be for or against it!

In many countries outside the USA, crates aren’t used very frequently. And in some countries, it’s actually illegal to use a crate (except for rare circumstances).

And while I think crates being illegal is slightly absurd, it is valuable to understand the pros and cons of crate training a puppy.

So let’s answer whether or not crate training is a necessity for your puppy. My hope is that by the end you'll be able to choose for yourself if you should crate train your puppy or not.

In this article, we’ll cover the following:

• Is crate training necessary?
• 17 pros and cons of crate training
• 9 pros
• 8 cons
• Crate training FAQs
• Is crate training good or bad?
• Benefits of NOT crate training
• Why you should crate train your puppy
• Extra crate training resources and tips

Let’s do it ⬇️

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FIRST - IS CRATE TRAINING NECESSARY?

Before we dive into it, please take a quick 1-question survey below!

In the vast majority of cases, crate training is extremely beneficial. But is it necessary..?

Many pup parents questioning the necessity of crate training are at their wit’s end with their puppy whining and barking in the crate.

And to that I say, trust the process. If you set out with a desire to have a crate-trained puppy, don’t give up just yet.

So to answer the question of whether crate training is necessary… the answer is no. At least according to the dictionary definition.

Necessary is defined as; absolutely needed, required. Example: Food is necessary to survive.

So under the literal definition, crate training a dog is not necessary. A dog doesn’t need a crate to survive. It is not absolutely needed.

BUT! 🚨

Crate training your puppy is highly recommended and extremely beneficial to your pup’s well-being.

I believe that each pup parent needs to make decisions that fit their lifestyle, home environment, and their dog. The adage ‘train the dog in front of you’ is timeless wisdom in a world of infinite opinions, information, and ideas.

So, let’s break down 17 Pros and Cons of crate training your puppy to help you make an educated decision for yourself.

17 CRATE TRAINING PROS AND CONS

Pretty much all dog topics have pros and cons, and crating your puppy is no different. Here are 17 pros and cons of crate training!

PROS of Crate Training

1. Provides a safe space for your dog that is completely their own
2. Massive help for potty training
3. Reduces destruction
4. Reduces the potential for ingesting dangerous items/foods
5. Greater peace of mind when away from home
6. A valuable skill for boarding, grooming, vet visits, etc.
7. Creates a real barrier when you don’t want your dog to have access to guests
8. Makes travel easier
9. Teaches dog to settle

CONS of Crate Training

1. Many people become overreliant on crates and leave dogs for too long
2. Crates can exacerbate anxiety issues
3. Incorrect sizing can cause physical and emotional distress
4. Can make some medical issues worse
5. Incorrect assembly can be dangerous to your dog
6. If not properly ventilated, can be very dangerous
7. If used as a punishment, can create other problem behaviors
8. Collars and harnesses can get stuck and cause major problems

An interesting note here is that many of the cons can be avoided. We’ll cover that more later, but let’s dive into the pros of crate training first!

🐶 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering crate training, biting, leash walking, potty training and more! Sign up for free here! 🐶

CRATE TRAINING BENEFITS

Ask a dog trainer and they’ll likely advise you to crate train your puppy. There are a host of benefits to raising a dog with the skill of crate training.

Here are 9 crate training pros & benefits 👇

1. Provides a safe space for your dog that is completely their own
2. Massive help for potty training
3. Reduces destruction
4. Reduces the potential for ingesting dangerous items/foods
5. Greater peace of mind when away from home
6. A valuable skill for boarding, grooming, vet visits, etc.
7. Creates a real barrier when you don’t want your dog to have access to guests
8. Makes travel easier
9. Teaches dog to settle

Let’s dive a little deeper into each pro!

#1- Provides a safe space for your dog that is completely their own

Dogs like to have a space that is their own.

It can be a place of refuge and relaxation if they are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or are just wanting to chill out. Of course, that will only be achieved by following proper crate training techniques!

While you can accomplish this with a special bed or play pen area, using a kennel or crate is often the most effective way to give your pup a place of their own.

Related Reading: Dogs & Fireworks

#2- Massive help for potty training

While it is true that dogs generally don’t like to pee/poop where they sleep, that doesn’t mean you can leave your puppy in a crate for too long.

Related Reading: Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

Following a proper potty training schedule in conjunction with the use of a crate can help speed up the potty training process!

By having your pup in a crate when you can’t keep an eye on them, you’ll be much less likely to stumble upon accidents in random places in your home!

Crate training is often synonymous with potty training because it helps contain your puppy when you can’t keep an eye on them!

#3- Reduces destruction

Having your dog destroy things when left alone is dangerous, expensive, and terribly frustrating.

I will never forget our puppy, Sunny, chewing up our brand new custom-built dinner table.

By having your pup in a crate, it becomes impossible for them to chew up baseboards, shoes, or anything else in your home!

And that leads nicely into the next pro 👇

#4- Reduces the potential for ingesting dangerous items & foods

While destruction is frustrating, it can also become very very dangerous for your pup. That's especially true if your dog eats foods they shouldn't!

You’ve probably heard horror stories of puppies getting into cleaning supplies, garbage cans, and other unsafe items. Puppies don’t understand (at least at a young age) what is good or bad for them to chew on.

Related Reading: Why Does My Dog Eat Everything?

They explore by chewing, biting, and trying to eat everything in their sight. Without crating, your dog may be more likely to get into things like chocolate, cannabis/THC, alcohol, or fruits they shouldn’t eat!

🐶 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering crate training, biting, leash walking, potty training and more! Sign up for free here! 🐶

#5- Greater peace of mind when away from home

Like the points above, it can provide great peace of mind when your pup is safely in their crate.

It takes away a lot of the stress of leaving your dog alone at home. You don’t need to worry about them getting into something they shouldn’t, escaping your yard, or destroying parts of your home.

Peace of mind is a huge pro of crate training your puppy.

#6- A valuable skill for boarding, grooming, vet visits, etc.

Visiting a pet professional often requires you to crate your dog, at least for a short period of time.

Groomers often put dogs in a crate before and after their grooming.

Vets often put dogs in a crate after surgeries and that can even be overnight. If your pup doesn’t have the skill of knowing how to handle a crate, an already stressful experience (like surgery) can become even more traumatizing.

A crate-trained dog is better suited to handle being left alone at a groomer, boarding, or at the vet office.

Related Reading: Dog Boarding Tips & Red Flags to Consider

#7- Creates a real barrier when you don’t want your dog to have access to guests

Sometimes you don’t want your dog to have any access to guests in your home.

It could be an elderly person with balance issues, a contractor in your home, or even a guest who is scared or allergic to dogs.

And while you can keep your dog away from guests with playpens, behind doors, etc., a crate allows for a much more firm barrier.

A crate truly can be a safe place for your dog!

#8- Crate training makes travel easier

Similar to vet visits, traveling with a crate-trained dog is typically easier than with a dog who can’t handle a crate.

If you’re flying with your dog, a crate is often the only answer.

If you stay at a dog-friendly hotel, it can be beneficial to have the peace of mind that your pup is in a crate when they are left in that new environment.

Plus, keeping your dog in a crate while driving is often the safest option.

#9- Teaches dog to settle

If you’ve ever wondered how to teach your puppy to have an “off switch”, a crate can be part of your answer.

When a dog learns to love a crate it naturally creates an understanding that settling and remaining calm in one place is okay. And that understanding can translate to places outside of the crate!

Crate training is beneficial for teaching dogs to learn how to settle and remain calm at certain times.

CRATE TRAINING CONS

While there are many positives to crate training, many pup parents don’t realize some potential cons of crate training.

Let’s dive into the 8 crate training drawbacks or potential issues!

Here are 8 crate training cons 👇

1. Many people become overreliant on crates and leave dogs for too long
2. Crates can exacerbate anxiety issues
3. Incorrect sizing can cause physical and emotional distress
4. Can make some medical issues worse
5. Incorrect assembly can be dangerous to your dog
6. If not properly ventilated, can be very dangerous
7. If used as a punishment, it can create other problem behaviors
8. Collars and harnesses can get stuck and cause major problems

Now, let’s dive into each con below 👇

🐶 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering crate training, biting, leash walking, potty training and more! Sign up for free here! 🐶 

#1- Many people become overreliant on crates and leave dogs for too long

The biggest con of crate training is that it can lead to an overreliance on the crate.

In some circumstances, pup parents become too comfortable with the idea of their dog’s crate and it ends up becoming harmful instead of helping!

Many people think that just because their dog can handle being in the crate it should be something they do frequently. Go read through any community of dog parents and you’ll see the debate of “how long is too long in a crate” pop up from time to time.

That in itself is bad.

And I personally believe this is why many cultures and countries are against crate training or have laws in place to combat this.

So, just because your dog is crate trained does NOT mean you should leave them for extended periods of time on a frequent basis. I believe that the crate should be seen as a tool and not become a “crutch” for forcing our dogs to remain confined for extended periods of time.

#2- Crates can exacerbate anxiety issues

While it may not always be the case, some dogs become very very anxious when left in a crate.

AND, for dogs that already have separation anxiety, crate training will most often make it even worse.

Anxious dogs in a crate can sometimes cause themselves harm. It can be extremely difficult and problematic to their health both physically and mentally.

So as you crate train your puppy, be sure to give your pup a choice and take it at their speed of learning and comfort!

#3- Incorrect sizing can cause physical and emotional distress

One of the biggest problems with crate training is dogs being put into a crate that is too small.

Dogs should be able to comfortably stand up and move around in the crate. Not allowing that can cause both physical and emotional distress.

Don’t think that just because dogs learn to like the crate they will enjoy an overly confined space.

Please, please make sure you get the correct size crate for your puppy!

#4- Can make some medical issues worse

While this is relatively uncommon, some medical issues can get worse through crating.

Some dogs with bowel issues can become overwhelmed in the crate and have more accidents, for example.

This isn’t a frequent thing, but can still be a drawback of crate training.

#5- Incorrect assembly can be dangerous

Great care should be taken when assembling your dog’s crate. Make sure that all hooks are engaged, locks are locked, etc.

Incorrect crate assembly can lead to a crate collapsing on your puppy.

I don’t mention this to scare you, but rather to make you aware so you can keep your pup safe!

Always double-check the assembly instructions and follow them completely. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer of your dog’s crate and ask!

#6- If not properly ventilated, can become very dangerous or even lethal

Many pup parents will put blankets or covers or part of their dog’s crate to help block out noise and distractions for their dog.

While this can help dogs learn to calm down in their crate, it can be dangerous if done incorrectly!

Always make sure that you put the crate in a well-ventilated area. And always make sure the crate itself has plenty of space for air to pass through.

This mistake can, unfortunately, be lethal, so always make sure your pup has proper airflow in their crate.

#7- If used as a punishment, will likely lead to more problem behaviors

Punishment-based training can have negative long-term effects on your dog’s well-being. And using the crate as a punishment is no different!

Many dogs who have been exposed to punishment-based training show higher signs of anxiety, stress, and fear throughout their life.

The key with crate training is to never use the crate as a punishment.

#8- Collars and harnesses can get stuck on the crate

Unfortunately, some dogs have gotten their collars or harnesses stuck on crates and had negative effects as a result.

They can try to free themselves from being stuck and cause strangulation and other damage. Some dogs will quickly become anxious and overwhelmed if they feel stuck.

Other dogs have caused crates to collapse as they tried to free themselves from being stuck on the crate.

Again, while this isn’t common, be sure to take care when putting your puppy in a crate. Many recommend removing all collars and harnesses from your dog before you put them in the crate!

So, as you can see there are actually some drawbacks to crate training! Luckily, many of those drawbacks can be removed by making sure you have the right size crate, assembling it correctly, and putting it in a well-ventilated and safe space!

🐶 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering crate training, biting, leash walking, potty training and more! Sign up for free here! 🐶

CRATE TRAINING FAQs

While I’m hopeful you see crate training as a positive skill for your dog, there are a few questions I commonly see that I’d like to answer below!

IS CRATE TRAINING GOOD OR BAD?

While crate training is usually a net positive experience, crate training can be both good and bad.

The key to making crate training a good thing is to properly train your pup to enjoy the crate. When done correctly, dogs can come to enjoy their crate as a personal safe space.

It can also provide safety for your dog, house guests, and even your home as a whole!

If you’re on the fence about crate training, I’d recommend reading the 17 pros and cons above. Then, make an informed decision that is best for your dog and your personal situation.

Generally though, crate training is a valuable skill that is recommended for all dogs!

BENEFITS OF NOT CRATE TRAINING

Many pup parents wonder if there are benefits of NOT crate training…

While crate training can pose some risks if done incorrectly, there aren’t a ton of benefits to not crate training.

The main benefit would be that you, as the pup parent, don’t have to endure the whining and crying in the crate that usually happens in the early stages.

Also, some people don’t like the feeling of leaving their dog in such a confined space. In that case, you may benefit from not crate training your dog.

Bottom line, there are a lot more benefits to crate training your puppy than not crate training.

IS CRATE TRAINING CRUEL?

The question of whether crate training is cruel or not is SO subjective that I considered not including it in this article... But I do think it should be discussed briefly.

Simply put, crate training can be cruel. Just like anything can be done in a cruel way.

If you're using the crate as a punishment, leaving your dog in there for extremely long periods of time, or in any way neglecting your puppy, then yes crate training can be cruel.

BUT! 🚨

If you approach crate training in a humane and loving way, it can be the opposite of cruel! As we've mentioned in this article, many dogs absolutely love their crate and end up choosing to be in there of their own free will.

Again, this question is subjective, but I would argue that crate training is NOT cruel, unless you make it that way!

🐶 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering crate training, biting, leash walking, potty training and more! Sign up for free here! 🐶

I DON'T WANT TO CRATE TRAIN MY PUPPY

If you feel constantly bombarded by people telling you to crate train your puppy, it can be with good reason. BUT, it's important to train the dog in front of you!

Each dog is different. Unique home environments, unique personalities, and unique lifestyles.

If you don't want to crate train your puppy, that's okay. As pup parents, we are able to choose what we believe is best for our dog.

Just remember to weigh all of the pros and cons (as outlined in this article) as objectively as possible. We should all have the goal of keeping our puppies safe. ❤️

WHY YOU SHOULD CRATE TRAIN YOUR PUPPY

Utilizing a crate for your puppy can bring a whole host of benefits for your dog.

Keeping your dog safe is the #1 reason to crate train your dog.

A dog that is properly crate trained will likely be potty trained faster, will be less likely to destroy items in your home, and won’t have access to potentially dangerous items.

Another reason to crate train your dog is that it can help give them a safe space within your home!

Here are 9 reasons why you should crate train your dog.

1. Provides a safe space for your dog that is entirely their own
2. Massive help for potty training
3. Reduces destruction
4. Reduces the potential for ingesting dangerous items/foods
5. Greater peace of mind when away from home
6. A valuable skill for boarding, grooming, vet visits, etc.
7. Creates a real barrier when you don’t want your dog to have access to guests
8. Makes travel easier
9. Teaches dog to settle

While crate training takes time and patience, it is very beneficial for your dog!

FINAL THOUGHTS ON CRATE TRAINING A PUPPY & RECAP OF CRATE BENEFITS/DRAWBACKS

While nothing in life is all good without any bad, the benefits of crate training typically outweigh the negatives.

Crate training is a powerful skill for your puppy to learn. Crate training can help keep your puppy safe, minimize destruction, and can even help encourage calm behaviors.

Every dog, household dynamic, and situation overall is different. You should make an informed decision that is best for your puppy and your lifestyle.

As a recap, here are 9 benefits of crate training a puppy.

1. Provides a safe space for your dog that is completely their own
2. Massive help for potty training
3. Reduces destruction
4. Reduces the potential for ingesting dangerous items/foods
5. Greater peace of mind when away from home
6. A valuable skill for boarding, grooming, vet visits, etc.
7. Creates a real barrier when you don’t want your dog to have access to guests
8. Makes travel easier
9. Teaches dog to settle

And of course, here are 8 cons/drawbacks of crate training a puppy.

1. Many people become overreliant on crates and leave dogs for too long
2. Crates can exacerbate anxiety issues
3. Incorrect sizing can cause physical and emotional distress
4. Can make some medical issues worse
5. Incorrect assembly can be dangerous to your dog
6. If not properly ventilated, can be very dangerous
7. If used as a punishment, it can create other problem behaviors
8. Collars and harnesses can get stuck and cause major problems

What is the main reason you chose to (or chose not to) crate train your puppy? Tell me in the comments below!

And if you’re looking to learn the basics of crate training, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup! It’s a 100% free (no cc required) online dog training video course that covers potty training, crate training, and even biting/nipping.

Sign up for the free course here!

And before you go, be sure to check out even more crate training resources in the section below!

EXTRA CRATE TRAINING RESOURCES

Looking to crate train your puppy? Check out this full crate training guide here!

We asked 30 pup parents what they wished they would have known before getting a puppy. I bet you can guess at least 1 person mentioned crate training!

Dive deep into all things crate training with the Crate Training Class taught by Amber Aquart CPDT-KA!

Working on crate training often means potty training too, so here are some potty training resources! ⤵️

Curious if (and when) you should use potty pads? Read all about potty pads here.

Want to teach your pup to let you know when they need to pee? Learn about potty bell training here. (PS- this should not be your focus at the beginning of potty training)

Already had some accidents (it will surely happen)? Learn how to get pee out of carpet here.

🐶 Don't miss out! Sign up for a 100% free online dog training course, 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George. Get access to videos & daily tips covering crate training, biting, leash walking, potty training and more! Sign up for free here! 🐶