A crate can help some dogs feel more secure, but it isn't a cure for separation anxiety.

For dogs that already see their crate as a safe, familiar place, it can become part of a broader plan that includes gradual training, consistent routines and, where needed, support from a qualified trainer or behaviour professional.

The key is that the crate always feels like a place of comfort, never punishment.

If your dog is already comfortable in their crate, many trainers recommend using it as a familiar place to rest while you're away for short periods.

If your dog becomes distressed as soon as the crate door closes, it's important to address the underlying anxiety rather than relying on confinement alone.

Every dog is different, and building positive associations should always come before increasing time apart.

Separation anxiety is more than simply missing you. Common signs include:

• Barking, whining or howling when left alone
• Destructive chewing or scratching
• Trying to escape
• Pacing or restlessness
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Toileting indoors despite being house trained
• Refusing food when left alone

If these behaviours happen consistently when you leave, they may be signs that your dog is experiencing genuine distress.

Yes, if a dog hasn't learned to feel safe inside it.

A crate should never be used to force a dog through anxiety. If your dog panics when confined, introducing the crate gradually and positively is far more effective than simply closing the door.

When a dog chooses their crate because it feels safe, it becomes a valuable part of their daily routine.

Start by making the crate somewhere your dog wants to be.

Comfortable bedding, favourite toys, enrichment, regular naps in the crate and rewarding your dog for choosing it all help build positive associations. Many dogs also settle more easily in a quieter, den-like environment with fewer visual distractions.

The goal is for your dog to see the crate as their own space, not somewhere they're only taken when you're leaving.

The best crate is one your dog feels relaxed using every day. Our Teddy crate was developed alongside experienced dog trainers who believe a crate should become a positive, familiar place rather than somewhere a dog is confined.

Many owners prefer a furniture-style crate because it naturally becomes part of family life rather than something hidden away. When a crate stays in a central living space, dogs often choose to rest there even when the door is open, helping build familiarity before it's ever used during alone time.

Teddy was designed with this philosophy in mind, creating a secure, comfortable space that dogs are happy to return to.

If your dog is attempting to escape, damaging crates or injuring themselves, we recommend working with a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviourist before choosing any crate. Some dogs experiencing severe separation anxiety may require a different management approach while behaviour modification is underway.

We believe helping an anxious dog starts with making them feel safe, not simply containing them.

Our crate system is designed to support positive crate training by creating beautiful spaces that dogs genuinely choose to spend time in. Because when a crate becomes part of everyday family life, it has the best chance of becoming a place your dog trusts when they need it most.