There's endless information out there about crate training, so much so that it can be difficult to tell fact from fiction. Let's set the record straight and break down five common misconceptions about crate training!

1. Crate training is cruel or inhumane.
   Wrong! When introduced properly, a crate acts as a retreat for a dog – a safe place where they can feel secure and relaxed. It can act as a constant across changing environments (when you move homes, stay in hotels, etc.), provide a safe haven during thunderstorms, act as a quiet nap space amidst the chaos brought by holiday visitors, and more. As with any dog training tool, how a tool is introduced and how a tool is used makes all the difference.
2. Your dog will automatically love the crate… and if they don’t, they will always hate the crate.
   Wrong! Crate training can take time. Perhaps you’ve just brought a puppy home from the breeder and it’s the first time they’ve been separated from their litter. Or maybe you just rescued a dog who was a stray and they’ve never been crated before. It’s very likely that your dog won’t love their crate at first and that’s okay! Shaping the crate is a great way to change their perspective. We also love feeding meals in the crate, giving special chews like bully sticks or raw rib bones, and giving indestructible toys like benebones in the crate to create positive associations.
3. Crate training is only for puppies; older dogs don’t need to be crate trained.
   Wrong! All dogs benefit from crate training. Being comfortable and calm in a crate is a crucial life skill for all ages and stages. Even if your dog does well loose in your home, there are many other scenarios where they may need to be crated – at the groomer waiting for pick up, at the vet before or after a medical procedure, boarding overnight with a trainer or at a kennel facility, in a hotel room while you go out to eat, etc. If you don’t prepare your dog for these situations in advance then they may experience stress and discomfort. Start as soon as possible, take your time, and stick with it!
4. Crates should only be used when you’re not home or for punishment.
   Wrong! Crating only when you leave the house or when your dog has done something naughty can create or exacerbate separation anxiety as well as build negative associations. If you want your dog to be calm and comfortable in the crate, you need to use it regularly as part of your routine, even when you're home. Think about times when your dog would normally be resting - these are a great place to start. If your dog always dozes after you go on a walk, put them in the crate during this time. If they like an evening snooze after dinner, try moving this nap to the crate. Creating small amounts of separation and giving your dog coping mechanisms for how to handle the separation (sleeping, calmly chewing, quietly observing the world around them, etc.) will allow them to take larger chunks of separation in stride.
5. A crate is a one-time purchase.
   Wrong (sort of)! Crates are often one of the first purchases new dog owners make. This can go one of two ways - they order a small, puppy-appropriate crate and then stop using it once the dog is too big, or they order a large, adult-appropriate crate and have difficulties with puppies pottying in the crate because they have too much space. The truth is that using the right size crate is critical to success (it should be big enough that they can comfortably stand, sit, and turn around, but no bigger) and you will need to size up as your dog grows! Budget for this when you decide to get a dog or consider a crate with an adjustable divider if only one crate is in the cards for your pooch. 

What other crate training myths have you heard? Drop them in the comments below!