Why we recommend crate training

 1. Safety⚠️: It keeps puppies safe when you can’t supervise, preventing them from chewing dangerous things or getting hurt.

 2. Security🔒: Dogs are den animals by nature, so a crate feels like a little den—a safe place where they can relax and feel secure.

 3. House Training🏡: It helps with potty training because dogs don’t like to soil their sleeping area, so they learn to hold it until they’re let out.

 4. Routine & Boundaries📝: It creates structure, which helps puppies learn limits and reduces anxiety.

 5. Travel & Vet Visits: If they’re used to a crate, traveling or going to the vet is much less stressful.

Why Puppies Cry in the Kennel:

 • Anxiety: They’re used to being with their mom, littermates, or you, so being alone feels scary or lonely at first.

 • New Environment: It’s a new experience, and they’re still adjusting.

 • Physical Needs: Sometimes they need to go potty, or they’re hungry, thirsty, or uncomfortable.

 • Attention Seeking: They want your reassurance but need time to learn independence.

How to Help Puppies Adjust:

 • Make the crate comfy with blankets and toys.

 • Start with short periods and gradually increase time inside.

 • Give them treats and praise to create a positive association.

 • Never use the crate as punishment.

 • Be patient — crying usually decreases as they get used to it.

So, the crying doesn’t mean kenneling isn’t good — it just means the puppy is learning and adjusting. With love and consistency, the crate becomes a happy, safe place!

 there are so many horror stories of “well trained dogs” not being kenneled and dying from eating something that wasn’t edible… it’s not safe…. There are also dogs who prefer the kennel, it’s left open and that’s their place to go lay down and “hide away” when they don’t want bothered… Totally, it is training—but that’s exactly why crate training isn’t cruel. It’s not about forcing or locking a dog in a box to punish them; it’s about helping them learn that the crate is their safe, cozy space where they can relax and feel secure. Just like kids need time to get used to new things, puppies need gentle training and patience to understand the crate is a positive place—not scary. The crying or fussing at first isn’t rejection of the crate itself, it’s just adjustment, and with kindness and consistency, most dogs come to love their crates. 

Additional Reasons Why Kenneling Is Beneficial and Not Cruel:

 • Helps Prevent Destructive Behavior: Puppies are naturally curious and can get into trouble when unsupervised. A crate helps manage their environment safely, reducing stress for both the puppy and owner.

 • Supports Mental Well-being: Providing a consistent “den” reduces uncertainty and gives dogs a predictable, comforting retreat that can ease anxiety in busy or noisy homes.

 • Teaches Independence: Learning to be calm and relaxed alone in the crate helps prevent separation anxiety in the long run.

 • Assists in Recovery: After injury or surgery, a crate provides a controlled space for rest and healing.

 • Improves Sleep Quality: Puppies often sleep better in a crate because they feel secure, helping their overall development and mood.

 • Encourages Respect for Boundaries: Crate training is part of teaching a dog to respect limits in the home, which is essential for safety and good behavior.

 • Provides Emergency Shelter: In case of natural disasters, evacuations, or vet emergencies, a dog comfortable with a crate is easier to transport and manage.

• Crate training is always voluntary and never involves forcing a dog inside. It’s about encouraging and rewarding them to go inside on their own.

 • It’s important that the crate is never used as punishment, because that would break the trust and make the dog fear their safe space.

 • Just like children need time to feel comfortable with new routines, puppies need time, patience, and positive reinforcement to accept the crate.

• Every Dog Is Different: Some dogs take to crate training quickly, others need more time — and that’s okay! It’s about meeting each pup’s individual needs.

 • Prevents Overwhelm: Puppies can get overstimulated by too much space or freedom; a crate helps them calm down and rest.

 • Creates a Stronger Human-Dog Bond: When puppies learn to trust the crate as a positive space, it builds their confidence and trust in you as their caretaker.

 • Keeps Puppies Safe at Night: Many accidents or injuries happen when puppies are left loose unsupervised at night; the crate keeps them safe and prevents bad habits.

 • Helps with Travel Anxiety: Dogs who are crate trained often handle car rides, boarding, or new environments better because they have their familiar “home base.”

 • Supports Training Goals: Crate training makes other training easier, like teaching sit, stay, or calm behavior because the dog learns to settle in a controlled space.

• The crate is a tool, not a punishment: It’s like a kid’s bed or a cozy nook — a place to rest, not a timeout zone.

 • Proper crate use is about respect and comfort, not confinement.

 • Positive crate training involves lots of praise, treats, and patience, never force or intimidation.

The Downsides & Risks of Not Kennel Training:

 • Increased Risk of Injury: Puppies left unsupervised can chew on electrical cords, swallow harmful objects, or get stuck in dangerous places. A crate provides a safe “puppy-proofed” space.

 • Delayed or Difficult House Training: Without a crate, puppies might not learn to hold their bladder or bowels as quickly, leading to more accidents in the house.

 • Separation Anxiety: Dogs who don’t learn to be comfortable alone can develop severe anxiety when left by themselves, which can cause destructive behavior and emotional distress.

 • Destructive Behavior: Puppies with too much freedom and no boundaries may chew furniture, shoes, or household items out of boredom or stress.

 • Sleep Disruption: Without a crate to give them a quiet, dark den-like space, puppies may struggle to settle down and get good quality sleep.

 • Travel Stress: Dogs not familiar with crates can find travel by car, plane, or boarding highly stressful or even traumatic.

 • Difficulties With Vet or Grooming Visits: A dog who’s never been crate trained may resist or panic in unfamiliar spaces, making healthcare harder.

 • Lack of Routine & Boundaries: Without structure, puppies can feel overwhelmed or unsure, leading to stress and behavioral problems.

Not kennel training can make life harder for both the puppy and the owner. The crate is a tool that protects puppies, helps them grow emotionally and physically, and supports a healthy, happy relationship with their humans.

Challenges Without Kennel Training:

 • Increased Stress for Owners: Without a crate, managing a puppy’s energy and behavior can be overwhelming and exhausting, leading to frustration on both sides.

 • Harder to Establish Boundaries Later: Puppies who aren’t introduced to boundaries early may develop stronger bad habits that are harder to correct as they grow.

 • Risk of Overstimulation: Puppies given unrestricted access to a busy home can get overwhelmed, which may cause hyperactivity, fearfulness, or aggression.

 • Difficulties in Emergency Situations: In case of sudden events like natural disasters, having a crate-trained dog makes quick evacuation and safe containment easier.

 • Poor Socialization Opportunities: A crate can be a safe spot during socialization with new people or pets, helping puppies build confidence without being overwhelmed.

 • Missed Opportunity for Calm Time: Puppies need downtime to develop mentally and physically, and a crate can provide a quiet place to rest away from stimulation.

 • Challenges in Multi-Pet Households: Without crates, managing interactions between pets or separating them when needed can be tricky and stressful.

 • Difficulty Traveling or Boarding: Dogs who haven’t been crate trained often struggle in kennels or with pet sitters, limiting owners’ options for travel or emergencies.

 In conclusion, crate training is a kind and effective way to keep puppies safe, secure, and happy while helping them learn important life skills like house training, independence, and calmness. Although puppies might cry or protest at first, this adjustment period is natural and temporary. The crate becomes a trusted, comforting space—not a punishment—when introduced with patience, love, and positive reinforcement. Without crate training, puppies and owners can face many avoidable challenges, from safety risks to behavioral problems and increased stress. Ultimately, crate training supports a healthy, balanced life for both dogs and their families, making it a valuable tool for lifelong well-being and harmony.