Guest author Dr. Ellen Finney from Vets in the Village shares here what she loves about crate training and her top tips.

Does your pet love to hide under your bed and couch? Do they quietly take themselves off to hang  out in their crate? Do they sometimes prefer this than sitting with you? Because mine certainly does. If I’m  looking for Paddington, the first place I always look is in his crate. 

This is a very common phenomena we see in pets! And it’s all because of the ‘Denning Principle’. To  understand this, we need to look back to their wild ancestor heritage. 

Denning is a behaviour that is deeply ingrained in dogs and refers to their natural tendency to seek  out a safe and secure location to rest and sleep. In the wild, dogs use dens or burrows as a safe space  to protect themselves from predators and harsh weather conditions. This instinct is still present in  domesticated dogs today. By sleeping under things, they create a small, enclosed space that provides  them with the sense of security they need to rest.  

This principle explains why dogs prefer sleeping in a crate, as these spaces simulate the feeling of a  den or burrow and provide them with the same sense of security and comfort. 

As a veterinarian, I can’t stress enough the benefits of crate training. Not only does it provide the type of safe and comfortable space they seek out naturally, but it also teaches boundaries helping with toileting  training, separation anxiety and destructive behaviour. 

As a puppy, crate training limits access to the rest of the house helping prevent undesirable chewing behaviour. It also helps to teach toilet training as dogs are naturally very clean animals who choose not to soil where they sleep. As an adult, it provides a great way to keep your  dog out of trouble when you are not at home or unable to provide supervision! It also provides a safe  form of travel in the car. And perhaps most importantly from a veterinarians perspective, crate  trained dogs cope better when confined to a hospital beds when they are sick or come in for  desexing. For all these reasons, I strongly recommend crate training for dogs of ALL ages and cannot  stress the benefits enough. 

So, how do you crate train your dog? Here are my top tips: 

- We want to make the crate your dogs favourite area of the house with lots of toys, treats and  blankets. Remember we a creating a safe space your dog enjoys and wants to spend time in - Remember that size matters. Use a create big enough for your pet to stand up in, turn  around and lie down comfortably 

- Gradually introduce the crate slowly with short sessions, slowly increasing the time your dog  spends in the crate 

- Keep the crate in a familiar area so your pet feels comfortable 

- Allow your pet open access to the crate at all times of the day

And finally, my number 1 rule. The create should NEVER EVER be used for punishment. The crate is a  den, not a prison. The only time the door should be closed and locked is for conferment at night or in  your absence. 

From a veterinarians perspective, crate training is a valuable tool that can improve the lives of both  your dog and yourself. When implemented correctly, it offers security, helps to reduce destructive  behaviour and teaches toilet training. Above all else, a crate provides your best friend with a safe  home they deserve - the perfect den!