"Crates" can be airline carriers, pens or wire cages. As long as they are sturdy, provide ventilation, and are appropriate for the size of your dog they can be a great training tool. However the impact of using crates to raise puppies or solve behavior problems is overshadowed by the fact that crates will fix everything simply by restricting the dog's ability to cause trouble. Using a crate to baby-sit your dog or lock the dog away from family activity is no way to solve problems for the long term. Frequent confinement makes most behavior problems worse.

MYTH: "SMALL ENCLOSED SPACES ARE COMFORTING TO A PUPPY BECAUSE WILD DOGS LIVE IN DENS" 
Yes, wild puppies under 4 weeks old live inside their mother's den. However, after the first month of life, the puppies are free to leave the den at any time and usually are left with an older puppy or other female. Domestic dog puppies are born in homes, yards and barns and are not accustomed to small, close confinement of a wild dog's den. 

So a puppy has to be introduced to being alone gradually. Puppies are usually brought into a home when they are 8-12 weeks old. At this time they are naturally curious and very motivated to explore and learn about their environment. Their brains are just not wired to wait quietly all day in a box and then sleep 8 hours at night, too. A crate can be a terrific puppy management tool much like a crib can be used for a baby. But no one would put a baby in a crib and leave for 8 hours of work plus a commute. We shouldn’t do that to a puppy, either.

MYTH: "A CRATE WILL HOUSE TRAIN THE PUPPY" 
Puppies learn at about 6-8 weeks of age not to soil their mother's bed. Mom gives them a stare or a rumbling growl and they scurry away. They don't have sufficient control over their need to eliminate to wait more than the minute or less it takes to move out of mom’s range. But a crate can be used as a training aid.

A puppy raised by his mom will want to keep his bed clean. Puppies raised in cages (stores or puppy farms) often do not have this training. You can use a crate to teach a puppy elimination control by putting him in the crate with an enjoyable toy when he is well exercised and ready to rest. If you are attentive, you can carry the puppy outside quickly when he gets active again. Rewarding your puppy when he eliminates outside will help him understand what you want him to do. If you leave the puppy in the crate for hours, he won't know that he can keep his bed clean and the crate will not be a useful house training aid. 

USING A CRATE SUCCESSFULLY
To introduce the crate to your puppy feed your dog or puppy only in the crate for a few meals. You may want to use a cat carrier that can be carried about the house from room to room as you work. Target training a puppy to enter and exit the crate is a fun game, too. Keep the crate, with door open, in the kitchen during the day and your bedroom at night. Have your puppy spend the night in the crate in your room. She'll see you are asleep and she will copy you by sleeping, too. 

During the day, the puppy should find food and toys in the crate. Once she enters the crate easily, start to latch the door. You want to avoid 2 things. One is scratching/whining to get out and the other is the feeling that he or she can't get out. Gradually increase time in crate (5 minutes then 15 minutes then 10 minutes) while you are home, sometimes with food in the crate, sometimes with toys. Notice that the time in the crate does not get consistently LONGER. You have to mix shorter time periods or puppy will see that it gets worse each time.

For the puppy's first night, you can put the crate near your bed and put your hand through the bars to soothe the puppy to sleep. Your hand through the bars will give her something to snuggle up to while she watches you sleep. If the puppy rustles around during the night, take her outside quickly to eliminate--back to the crate, so she learns the night time routine. 

When you want to leave the puppy in the crate because you can't supervise her directly, be sure she is fed and has eliminated so she won't be uncomfortable. You can use the crate for a few hours at a time once she is used to it. If you include a blanket for comfort use a chew safe type. It's a good idea to remove any collar or tags so they don't get caught on the crate.

You will be doing your dog a big favor by having her accustomed to a crate. You can take the crate when you travel so she feels at home and your hosts will welcome her. She will be more comfortable at a veterinary hospital or at a kennel because she is used to staying in a confined space when necessary. If you ever have to move or take her on a plane, she won't panic. It'll be old hat. If you have a show dog, crate training is a must.

ALTERNATIVES TO CRATING 

Animal boarding kennels now offer day care for puppies or for dogs whose owners work long hours. Prices range from $5.00 per day to over $20.00. Some day facilities offer obedience training and outdoor activities, too. This expense allows people who work all day to adopt a puppy. The puppy will need this type of care until she is 6-8 months old depending on the breed. 

If you walk your dog in your neighborhood you will meet other dog owners that may share your dog care concerns. See if you can share your dogs or at least the dog walking responsibilities or back yard supervision to make life easier on you and your pets. 

For training during the day while you are home, some folks elect to use a tie down instead of a crate. A tie down is simply a leash that is too short to tangle, anchored to the floor or wall in your home. Attach your dog to the tie down within reach of his comfortable bed. Introduce the tie down in the same manner as a crate. Food and toys should be within reach. The All good behavior should be rewarded. Gradually build up to longer periods of time spent confined until your puppy is comfortable with this restraint. Never leave a dog unattended on a tie down.