Are There Benefits to Not Crate Training Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Pros & Cons

Crate training is a relatively new practice that began in the late 19th or early 20th century. The exact history is hazy, but broadly speaking, militaries and travelers on trains and planes had a growing need to transport their dogs in a clean, safe way. Today, crate training is widely recognized as a way to confine your dog, give them a comfortable and quiet space, and keep them safe in emergencies.

However, crate training is new, and there’s another school of thought that the practice is cruel and unnecessary. In fact, in both Sweden and Finland, dogs can only be placed in crates of certain dimensions and under some circumstances. This highlights the multiple approaches to raising a dog, so it’s natural you’d be curious.

Are there benefits to not crate training a dog? Limited data on the topic makes it highly subjective and subject to eternal debate. The underlying ideas are pretty easy to understand, however. Below, we’ll break down the pros and cons of crate training and not crate training and discuss how to safely confine your dog if you don’t want to use a crate.

Pros & Cons of Not Crate Training

We should preface this by saying that the arguments in favor of not crate training are subjective and commonly contested. The decision to crate train is ultimately yours, but there’s great educational value in a balanced view of the possible benefits of not crate training. Check out the pros and cons below and compare them with the pros and cons of crate training to form your own opinion on what works best with your dog’s lifestyle.

Pros & Cons of Crate Training

Crate training has compelling evidence in favor of it as a training tool. The main problems with crate training arise when crates are misused to punish dogs or used to confine them for long periods.

When to Not Crate Train: How to Safely Confine Your Dog Without a Crate

You shouldn’t crate-train your dog if they have separation anxiety or if they can’t cope with being confined. Dogs with these problems often become severely agitated if confined in a crate, sometimes even right by your bedside.

This can lead to destructive chewing and digging to try and escape the crate. This can be dangerous if, for instance, your dog gnaws through a plastic part of a crate or gets cut on a sharp metal piece. In these cases, we suggest exploring other options for safely confining your dog, which we’ll discuss below. Remember that you should always consult with a vet or veterinary behaviorist if you are considering crating your dog to manage a behavioral problem.

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Tips for Safely Confining Your Dog Without a Crate:

Conclusion

Crate training is an important tool for countless dog owners to manage behavioral problems, safely travel, and structure the housebreaking process, but it’s not perfect. The time dogs spend in the crate must be limited and not take up the majority of their day, and the time should be strictly adjusted to your dog’s needs. Some dogs don’t tolerate much time in a crate comfortably. Alternative solutions like a dog-proofed room may help in those cases.

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