6. Why every pet should be crate/carrier trained

You may not plan to use a crate on a regular basis or at all which is your decision, but there are many reasons why your pet should be taught/trained to be comfortable in crate or a carrier for caged pets. There are a variety of crate/carriers on the market, sold used & new on a variety of websites, from plastic, to metal to cloth (like the one in photo). Choose a crate that is large enough for your pet, but not too large to overwhelm them. A crate is not something an animal should have to be in for an extended period of time.

Metal crates with double doors are nice. https://amzn.to/4b276Nw . Soft sided crates are nice for senior or mellow dogs or cats that aren’t going to try & chew their way out . https://amzn.to/3EA0Osk .https://amzn.to/4b1zKyh A hard plastic crates are good for escape artists, nervous dogs, and strong chewers.

1. A crate can be like a den for many dogs, a safe place where only good things happen. Never use a crate as a punishment. If your puppy/dog needs a time out, don’t yell at them to go in their crate & reward when they do (treat, chew, praise or a toy).
2. If you have company & they either don’t care for dogs, are allergic to them, or your dog would knock them over.
3. If you have workman coming & they are going in & out & your dog could potentially escape out the door.
4. If your dog has separation anxiety & you want to protect your door from being scratching, furniture from being destroyed, things getting knocked over, or house being soiled in. My dogs both have separation anxiety so they are crated when I am not home. I say “kennel up & they run into their crates.” They had to be taught this, but it is well worth saving my home.
5. If your dog/cat needs to have surgery, such as neutered or spayed or an accident, illness etc…they will most likely have to spend 1-2 nights at the Vets in a crate. You don’t want to add to their stress by not teaching them a crate is a good thing. Healing is delayed when we are under stress, so crate training in advance can help in this situation.
6. If a major appliance like your furnace goes out on the coldest winter day & you need to stay at a friends or a hotel at the last minute for a day or so. Depending on where you have to go you may need to crate your dog/cat part of the time.
7. If your dog or cat gets car sickness it is a real nice thing to have a crate for easier clean up when your pets are with you. Both my dogs get car sick some of the time so they ride in plastic crates in my vehicle
8. If there is a natural disaster such as a flood, fire, tornado, hurricane or any other you may have to evacuate & stay at a hotel. a shelter or with friends or family in another area. Depending on where you have to go it is a lot easier if your pet is already comfortable being transported in a crate & maybe spending some time in the crate,at your temporary residents.
9. If your flying with your pet, relocating, going on vacation airlines require animals be crated.
10. If you have a family emergency (sickness or death)& need to travel to be with a family member or if you’re the one with the emergency & someone has to come to you. Sadly not everyone is a pet lover & they may don’t want your dog underfoot all the time. My dogs are like my shadows & if I was stuck in bed they would be right at my side (probably try & lay on me).
11. If you’re going on vacation with your pet & stay at a hotel or rent an Airbnb or Vrbo some require your pets be crated if you leave to go see an attraction they aren’t allowed at. If your dog isn’t comfortable in a crate they may bark & that might cause them to ask you to leave early from the place you rented.
12. Crates are great house training tools, dogs don’t like to soil where they sleep. A proper size crate will help your puppy/dog to hold their bladder an appropriate amount of time till they are taken outside to go potty.
13. Birds & other caged animals also should be comfortable being put into a carrier, whether for Vet visits, emergency or an evacuation. NOTE: Most caged pets are more comfortable if the carrier is partially covered with a blanket or towel when they are transported.

I hope you found this informative, I will blog another time about tips on crate training. I appreciate your likes and comments.