Why Use a Dog Crate When Adopting a Pet

I love being around my dog, but there are times when we have to be apart, such as vacations, sporting events, and conventions. This can be a problem as I recently adopted a dog. Shortly after bringing her home, I found out that she has separation anxiety.

For this reason I have bought a crate. After months of training, she has learned that this is her “house” and that she is safe there, even when I am gone. Sometimes she goes in the crate in the middle of the afternoon without any prodding from her human family at all!

Crates are a good way to keep your dog out of trouble when you are not home. They can be very affordable, and most are easy to store when not in use. Crates are reliable, which is a good thing as some of the dogs I have owned in the past were worthy of the nickname “Doggy Houdini”.

Pro’s of Using a Crate

When it comes to buying a crate, size matters. Fortunately crates come in all sizes. This comes in handy when you have a smaller or larger than normal breed of dog because, most likely, there is a crate large or small enough to match it.

Crates often come with a removable floor or dog bed. Some people prefer the standard cage floor, and then buy a more durable bed or plastic crate floors as a separate purchase. This makes cleanup for puppy crate training a breeze.

Many crates are collapsible, which is good either for smaller living spaces, or for traveling with your pet. This feature also comes in handy for storage if you are in-between dogs, or if you haven’t yet bought or adopted a dog, but plan to soon.

Dogs carry germs like fleas and ticks. Having a crate where your dog can sleep at night will keep him off your bed. It will not only keep the pests out of your bed that might be crawling in his fur, but it will also keep your bed free from shedding hair and pet dander.

Crate Care and Maintenance

There are several things you need to know before buying a crate. One is that no matter what, at some point you are going to need to clean your dog’s crate. Here are some basic ways to maintain dog crates:

• Clean the bed and floor at least once a week, sometimes more frequently, depending on how much your dog sheds, how messy your dog eats and drinks, and whether or not they’ve had an accident.
• Make sure the locks on the crate are aligned and do not stick, as sometimes the door can bend from continuous opening and locking, or from an overly energetic dog that chews and pulls on the sides of the crate.
• Only use organic cleaners that are pet safe. If you use chemical products on the crate floor, for example, then your dog could lick or chew the crate it and become sick.

Click the picture above to learn more about the crate I would use for my own rescue pups!

In Conclusion

These are just some of the reasons I recommend buying a crate for your dog, and a few tips to help you keep your dog’s crate clean. I think it is a good investment and, given the time and environment, your dog will come to love it’s new crate.

Just remember that a crate isn’t a place that your dog should stay all the time. They like to get out and do stuff too! But at the end of the day they will just love having a nice place of their own to spend the night, and a crate is a safe way to give them that space.

About the Guest Author

Jarod Muth is a blogger who hails from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. A home school student who graduated at age 16, he's now pursing interests like freelance writing and internet marketing while furthering his education through online classes. In his spare time Jarod enjoys gaming, hiking with his family's rescue pups, and flea marketing.