Is Crate Training Optional?

Crates are IMPORTANT!!! . I will fight anyone on this. Ok, not actually, raise your dog however you want it’s not my dog. But color me livid if I hear a story about how a dog destroys items in the house, barks at people constantly from the window and someone’s priority in the dogs life is to “get the dog out of the cage and free-roam” . There is zero benefit to free roaming. Zero. Can some dogs do it? Yeah for sure. But just because a dog CAN do it doesn’t mean they SHOULD. The likelihood of your dog getting into toxic substances while you’re gone is extremely high. The chances of them destroying something out of anxiety or boredom is also quite high. You know what dogs typically do when they destroy things? They usually eat them as well. The amount of dogs I’ve trained where owners have said they had to spend thousands of dollars in vet care for exploratory surgery for a bowel obstruction is high. Your dog could also practice ALLLL of those behaviors you dislike. Counter surfing. Trash diving. Barking at strangers out the window. Pooping in the house. And at the end of it all, if your dog isn’t doing those things...aren’t they just going to be sleeping? So why not have them sleep in a crate. A crate where they are safe from ingesting chemicals. Safe from chewing and eating objects. Safe from practicing unwanted behaviors. They can have proper rest (dogs need adequate deep sleep just like we do) . They have a place that provides structure and boundaries. And finally dogs are DEN ANIMALS, they enjoy small, safe areas they can feel protected inside of. As long as you are giving your dog proper exercise and mental stimulation, your dog should be perfectly fine being in a crate while you’re at work. TL;DR: crate your dog.