Do You Need A Dog Crate? or a Dog House?

The answer to “Do You Need A Dog Crate or a Dog house?” is simple. But first, let’s look at what every dog out there really needs to thrive well!

Your dog needs three things: shelter, food, and water. If your dog is outdoors, they will need all these things outside.

“A crate is to dogs as a bedroom is to us humans.”

Yes, you do need a crate or a dog house. Your pooch’s crate or his dog house is his place to be when he seeks safety and refuge.

Crates and dog houses serve their purpose of providing confinement for reasons like security plus safety for your buddy and prevention from destructive behavior when you are not around for supervision. They also come in handy while traveling with your doggo.

On the other hand, many people don’t crate their dogs because of the common misconception that confinement is cruel. And it is totally fine as long as they are provided with some other form of shelter.

Read on to find out in detail the benefits of dog houses and some common mistakes you must avoid while crating your doggy.

Benefits of Dog Houses and Dog Crates

Crates and dog houses come in handy and are extremely beneficial as training tools for puppies and safe havens for old dogs. Also, crates and dog houses prove to be life savers in cases of emergency.

Your furball sees its dog house as its den and hates to soil it, so most vets, trainers, and breeders see crate training as a crucial element in house-breaking young puppies.

Not only this, but crates also play a crucial role in making sure your house doesn’t look like a messed-up junkyard when you get back home from work.

It is a traumatizing sight when you see your favorite sofa all chewed up and your carpet soiled with dog poop and pee.

Trust us! That Ikea furniture doesn’t come cheap, you know!

Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid

Dog houses have numerous benefits, and we totally understand if you cannot bear the thought of having to keep a dog without a proper dog crate. But dog crates do have some downsides that every dog parent must look out for!

Dogs have a limited attention span, and as pack animals, they need regular socializing and exercise.

Long-term confinement in dog houses can lead to many physical and psychological issues in your doggy, like aggression, hyperactivity, depression, eating disorders, obsessive licking, and separation anxiety.

Some breeds are more active than other breeds. If your dog is a pointer, a labrador, or a doberman, then he needs more space to run around and exhaust his extra energy before he can calm himself down and relax.

These breeds come in the ‘working dogs’ category, so they are hyper-active, easily excitable, and thrive on mental and physical stimulation. If you crate such a dog breed for extra-long hours, it can be disastrous for his mental and physical health.

Moreover, improper introduction to the crate or insignificant crate training may lead your doggy to have negative associations with the crate, and he might start to see his dog house as some form of punishment. Thus, developing negative feelings of stress and fear for the crate.

Eventually, all these combined defeat the purpose of a crate being a place of safety and comfort for your furballs.

Wrapping Up!

In a nutshell, yes, you do need a dog house or a crate, as crates and dog houses are extremely beneficial in providing a space of safety and comfort for your dog.

Plus, they play a crucial role when you need to go out for work and you have to leave your dog unsupervised.

But crates and dog houses can also become a two-edged sword in the wrong untrained hands and turn your and your pooch’s life into a nightmare. So, use them wisely!

Like what you read? Read our other articles on dog houses, crates, and kennels.

Happy Crating!