A dog with separation anxiety is prone to acting out destructively, endangering both themselves and the people around them.
In such cases, it’s essential for pet owners to address the underlying issue and place them in an environment that can reduce this sense of anxiety and make them more at ease with their surroundings.
One solution that many dog owners swear by is a dog crate. Dog crates provide our furry pals with a confined space where they can stay and not worry about outside factors disturbing them.
Furthermore, a dog crate has several other benefits that can promote calmness and security to the pet—making them more easily adjust to their environment.
If you’re keen to learn more about the benefits of a dog crate, this article will break down the perks of this space. It’ll also delve into the best ways and techniques you can employ to ensure you’re getting the maximum value of the crate.
Let’s jump right into it and explore a dog crate’s benefits for anxious dogs in greater detail.
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Creates a Personal Comfort Zone
An appropriately-sized dog crate is an ideal space to provide comfort and security to an anxious dog. This is because the crate is built to accommodate it solely, making it feel at ease knowing that no threat can hurt or endanger it when they’re within the confines of the crate.
To be specific, a crate acts like a cosy den for the dog. It has a single entry point and is enclosed in all surroundings by metal grilles or plastic. This orientation can ease an anxious dog’s mind as external stressors like predators or unruly children can disturb its peace.
That said, a crate is only good for dogs if they associate the space with safety and calmness. If you put your dog there as a form of punishment, they will think of the space in a negative light and may want to break free from the space.
Their anxiety may even be worsened if you put them in the crate with no prior contact. As such, be sure to introduce them to the crate gradually. Allow them to inspect it with their senses, giving them a chance to transform it into a place that evokes comfort.
By giving them the freedom to choose when to stay in that crate, and by putting familiar things like soft bedding, food and water bowls, or a heartbeat plush, then you can recreate a space that can evoke safety, familiarity, and calmness in the dog—making it the ideal place for them to find relief and seek out whenever they feel overwhelmed or tired from the day.
Unsure what size fits your dog best? Browse and read more here for some actual dog crate sizes you can get from reputed pet care retailers.
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Builds Structure and Routine
Most dogs are habitual creatures. They loyally follow the routine that has been instilled in them by their owners. This routine provides structure to their lives, making things feel less volatile and unsure of their environment. This is a desirable state for dogs, as knowing what to expect can help boost their confidence.
A crate helps facilitate a dog’s desire to follow routine and consistency. Allowing a dog to get inside their crate during set times per day, like before meal time or before going to the bathroom, can make them more easily trainable and adept at following a set schedule. It also calms them down and helps them build confidence as they gradually settle into the groove of things.
Furthermore, a common use for crates is its function in facilitating a dog’s nap time. Putting dogs in a crate can help them more easily unwind and get to bed. This routine can be reinforced when done habitually, making it easier for your dog to associate crate time with nap time—or any other habit you want to instil in them to curb their anxiety.
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Prevents Destructive Behaviour
Dogs with separation anxiety are unable to properly control their emotions and may act out to their environment as a result. Separation anxiety can manifest in different ways depending on the dog’s breed and attitude—some may retreat in a corner, while others could bark and howl incessantly.
One particularly common way dogs make their anxiety known is by biting or chewing on manmade objects. When anxious dogs are separated from their owner, they may feel a compulsion to latch onto objects in their environment and destroy them.
This response, undoubtedly, can wreak havoc on your home setting. Dogs may chew on furniture, table legs, important documents, and all sorts of items scattered around the household. They may even chew and eat them whole—which can be another worrisome can of beans altogether.
By putting anxious dogs in a crate responsibly, you can at least control their destructive manifestations and keep them enclosed within the confines of the crate. Moreover, you can more easily control the setting by putting soothing and comfortable items inside to help the dog unwind and relax from potential anxiety attacks.
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Reduces Sensory Overload
One key perk of dog crates in helping dogs manage anxiety is their enclosed nature.
Inside a dog crate, a dog doesn’t have to worry about seeing people, other pets, or other stressors. This is especially true given the fact that most crates are mobile and can be moved from room to room, eliminating the need for dogs to come face-to-face with their stressors.
Anxious dogs are highly likely to react erratically when exposed to unfamiliar environments.
For instance, dogs can easily feel frightened at the sound of fireworks or parties. In such cases, putting them in a crate far from these sound sources can help them feel less anxious. This is especially true if they’ve been crate-trained as they more easily associate the crate as a safe haven.
When dogs feel less overburdened by stress, they can relax more easily and live more easily and comfortably in their homes.
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Assists With Alone-Time Training
A major source of a dog’s anxiety is extended alone time.
Dogs with heightened separation anxiety can feel stressed when they’re cooped up alone in a big room or an unfamiliar place without their owner. A crate can help them feel less of this stress as they can associate the crate with a home where they can safely spend their time alone.
This is especially useful for dogs being transported in boats and aeroplanes. Being stuck in a dark storage compartment can be frightening for many pets, especially if they’re not securely latched and secured.
With a decent-size crate that’s fitted with various comfort items, the dog is less likely to feel less stressed and more comfortable. Even if the crate is at home, anxious dogs can be conditioned to be comfortable when they’re alone.
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Encourages Restful Sleep
Dogs sleep a lot—and we mean a lot. On average, dogs sleep 16 hours a day—and they need every hour of it to remain healthy and active when they’re awake.
Specifically, dogs need sleep to promote active recovery, a strong immune system, and an alert brain. If they don’t get enough sleep, they can feel fatigued and irritated during their awake hours—which can be detrimental to their overall health and mood.
That said, for some dogs with anxiety, getting sleep can be difficult as they’d be too tense to wind down for slumber. This makes them more vulnerable to succumbing to the aforementioned symptoms, as well as general symptoms of dog anxiety.
A crate is a great tool to encourage anxious dogs to sleep. It functions as a safe enclosure for the dogs that protect them from outside threats, making them more likely to fall asleep.
Furthermore, a crate can also easily be decorated to act as the perfect den for your dog, as pet owners can easily fill it with comfortable things like pillows, plush toys, and other things that may ease the dog’s anxiety. This makes having a crate a must if you’re looking to help your dog sleep better.
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Manages Multi-Pet Environments
Finally, a crate is also a great way to control the presence of incompatible dogs in multi-pet households.
While we would love our pets to always be in a state of harmony and get along, it’s never a guarantee. Oftentimes, a dog’s energy may not match your anxious dog’s, or some dogs may be too playful for your anxious pup to handle, and this can be a terrifying and stressful ordeal for them.
If you have two incompatible indoor dogs, then this could also pose a dangerous situation for either of them—and the household at large. While you should prioritise getting the dogs to tolerate one another, this can take a long time.
To help foster a safe and harmonious household in the meantime, having a crate separate the two can be a decent solution as you attempt to train your dogs to get along. This crate not only puts a barrier between the dogs but also helps ensure that every pet gets an equal share of food and water without risking another pet from getting it.
We wish you all the best in handling your anxious little furball!