Crate Training Done Right, Part 1 of 2: Why Your Dog’s Crate Should Be Their Sanctuary, Not a Punishment
Creating a Safe Space, Not a Prison
Crate training is one of the most misunderstood topics in the dog world. Many dog owners hear the word “crate” and immediately associate it with confinement, punishment, or a temporary tool to use for a few months and then discard. But after 11 years of working with dogs AND humans, I’ve learned that it’s not the dogs who struggle with crates—it’s the people.
If you view the crate as a negative space, your dog will, too. But what if I told you that a crate, when introduced properly, isn’t confinement at all? Instead, it’s a safe haven, a place where your dog can turn off their brain, relax, and reset. In this two-part series, we’ll break down the importance of crate training, how to create the right association with it, and why this simple tool is actually a key player in the long-term psychological development of your dog.
A Crate Should Be a Sanctuary, Not a Punishment
Dogs are simple creatures who thrive on routine, structure, and clear expectations. Yet, many people unintentionally associate the crate with negative experiences. If you only use the crate when you’re leaving the house or as a place to send your dog when they’ve done something wrong, you’re creating an association that tells your dog:
❌ The crate = Separation
❌ The crate = Punishment
❌ The crate = Something to fear
Instead, the crate should be a place where your dog chooses to go, one that signals peace and relaxation, not isolation or abandonment.
✅ The crate = A calm retreat
✅ The crate = A predictable, safe environment
✅ The crate = A place to relax, not just when you're gone
It’s not just about when you use the crate, but how you introduce it.
How to Build the Right Association with the Crate
The way you incorporate the crate into your dog’s daily routine is crucial. It should be a part of life, not just a tool used when you’re leaving the house. Here’s how to ensure the crate is a positive space:
Use It for More Than Just Alone Time: If the only time your dog goes into the crate is when you leave, they’ll start associating it with separation. Instead, use it for quiet time throughout the day—after a walk, after a meal, or when your dog needs to decompress. Crating at night is a great way to ensure your dog learns to self-soothe and sleep independently.
Make the Crate a Part of the Routine: Dogs are regimented creatures and find comfort in predictable patterns. Crate time should be something that happens consistently, not just when it’s convenient.
Feed Meals in the Crate: Food is a powerful motivator. Feeding your dog in their crate reinforces the idea that it’s a comfortable, enjoyable space.
Crate Time Doesn’t Mean "Punishment Time": Never send your dog to the crate as a form of punishment. The goal is for your dog to associate the crate with relaxation and security, not discipline.
Use the Crate to Promote Relaxation: Your dog should view the crate as a place to calm down, not a place they’re forced into. Encourage crate time after a walk, training session, or playtime, times when your dog is already in a state of natural relaxation.
By following these steps, your dog will begin to seek out their crate on their own because it’s a place that makes them feel safe.
Location Matters: Where to Place the Crate
When we tell clients that the best place for a crate is behind a closed door, we often get some puzzled looks.
"If I have to keep my dog in a crate in a separate room, then why do I even have a dog?"
It’s a fair question. But here’s the reality: dogs need to learn how to be alone. If they don’t, they develop separation anxiety, excessive dependence, and a lack of confidence.
Avoid placing the crate in your bedroom. While it might feel comforting to keep your dog close at night, this can actually encourage clinginess and prevent your dog from learning how to self-soothe. If they can’t sleep without you nearby, they’re missing a crucial part of their psychological development.
Use a separate room with a door that closes. This removes external distractions and allows your dog to create their own environment.
Minimize outside noise. Dogs can develop FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) if they hear what’s happening in the rest of the house. A fan or sound machine can help block out noise and create a more calming space.
This early foundation teaches your dog that being alone is okay. Over time, this builds confidence and independence, setting them up for a well-balanced adulthood.
Crate Training is About the Long Road, Not a Quick Fix
At first glance, it may seem like this blog is just about crate training. But in reality, it’s about the bigger picture—the psychological development of your dog.
Your dog’s world is the world you create for them. What kind of world do you want them to live in?
A world of separation anxiety, clinginess, and stress? Or a world where they can find peace, relaxation, and confidence on their own?
The choices you make now—where you place the crate, how you use it, and the associations you build—will shape their mindset for life. This is why, in our training programs, we put just as much focus on educating the owner as we do on training the dog. Because at the end of the day, a dog’s behavior is a reflection of the environment they’ve been given.
What’s Next? Part 2 of Crate Training Done Right:
Now that we’ve covered the importance of crate training and how to build the right association, Part 2 will dive into the specifics of choosing the right crate for your dog.
Should you use bedding inside the crate or not?
What size crate is best for your dog’s needs?
Which is best? Wire crate vs. plastic crate vs. soft crate
How to adjust crate time as your dog grows
Every dog is different, and knowing what works best for your dog will set them up for a lifetime of comfort, structure, and confidence.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Crate Training Done Right.
