Dog theft: How to keep your dog safe
September 23, 2026
When introduced slowly and positively, crate training can provide your dog or puppy with a safe, comfortable space where they can sleep, relax or retreat when they need some quiet time.
Crate training can also assist with puppy toilet training, prevent unsupervised wandering, make travelling easier and help dogs gradually become comfortable spending short periods alone.
The key is to ensure the crate is never used as punishment or for excessive confinement. Your dog should learn to see it as their own secure and relaxing space.
A crate can be useful throughout a dog’s life, not just during puppyhood.
Crate training can help:
Crates can also offer some dogs a familiar retreat during stressful events such as thunderstorms or fireworks, provided the dog already has a positive association with the crate.
A dog that is extremely frightened should never be forced into a crate, particularly if they may injure themselves trying to escape. Place the crate in a quiet room where you can reduce outside noise, close curtains and help your dog feel secure.
You can also read my advice on helping dogs cope with thunderstorms, fireworks and other noisy activities HERE.
Crate training can be particularly useful when raising a puppy.
Dogs generally prefer not to toilet where they sleep, so an appropriately sized crate can support your puppy toilet-training routine. It can also prevent your puppy from wandering away unnoticed and toileting elsewhere in the house.
However, a crate should not be used as a substitute for regular toilet breaks. Young puppies have limited bladder control and need frequent opportunities to toilet outside, including after sleeping, eating, drinking and playing.
Giving a puppy short, positive periods in their crate can also help them learn to relax without constant interaction. This can support the development of independence training, but crate training alone will not prevent or treat separation anxiety.
Time alone should always be introduced gradually and kept within what the individual puppy can comfortably manage.
The goal of crate training is for your dog to choose to enter the crate and feel safe and relaxed while inside it. This is where positive reinforcement training comes into play.
Every dog progresses at a different pace. Some may happily explore a crate on the first day, while others may need much longer before they are comfortable with the door being closed.
Start by placing the crate in an area where your family spends time, such as a quiet corner of the living room or near your dog’s current bed.
This allows your dog to rest while still feeling included. Avoid positioning the crate in a busy walkway or somewhere your dog will be constantly disturbed.
The crate must also be respected as your dog’s private space. Children and other pets should not be allowed to climb inside, sit on top of it or disturb the dog while they are resting. For more tips on children and dogs safety, click HERE.
In a multi-dog household, a crate can give each dog their own quiet place. Make sure another dog cannot stand outside the crate staring at, pestering or intimidating the dog inside. For other tips on multiple dog homes, click HERE.
During the early stages of crate training, secure the door open so it cannot swing shut and frighten your dog.
Allow your dog to investigate the crate without being pushed or placed inside. You can drop treats near the entrance and gradually place them farther inside as your dog becomes more confident.
Praise and reward any voluntary interaction with the crate, including looking at it, approaching it, stepping inside or choosing to lie down.
Make the crate a place where good things happen. Depending on what motivates your dog, you could:
Only leave toys or chews with an unsupervised dog if you are confident they are safe and cannot be broken apart or swallowed.
Never force your dog into the crate or use it for punishment, as this can quickly create fear and resistance.
Do not close the crate door until your dog is willingly entering the crate and appears calm and comfortable inside.
Start by closing the door for only a few seconds while you remain nearby. Open it again before your dog becomes worried.
Gradually increase the time with the door closed, initially remaining close to the crate. You can then begin moving around the room and briefly stepping out of sight.
Keep the early sessions short and successful. Moving too quickly can undo the positive association you have worked to create.
If your dog gives a brief whine or bark because they want the door opened, wait for a short pause before letting them out. This helps avoid teaching them that barking or scratching immediately opens the door.
However, it is important to distinguish mild protesting from genuine distress.
Panting when it is not hot, excessive drooling, frantic escape attempts, persistent barking, refusing food or injuring themselves are signs that your dog is not coping. Do not leave a panicking dog to “cry it out”. Let them out calmly when it is safe, return to an easier stage of training and seek advice from a qualified reward-based trainer, veterinary behaviourist or veterinarian if the problem continues.
Also consider whether your puppy is whining because they genuinely need to toilet, particularly overnight.
A crate is intended for rest, sleep, short periods of management and safe transport. It should not become somewhere a dog spends most of their day.
How long a dog can comfortably remain in a crate depends on their age, health, bladder control, previous training and emotional response to confinement.
Puppies require frequent toilet breaks, exercise, play, training, social interaction and opportunities to explore. Adult dogs also need regular movement, enrichment and companionship.
Build crate time gradually and avoid expecting a dog to remain confined for long periods simply because they are physically capable of holding their bladder.
Your dog’s crate should be large enough for them to:
The crate should feel cosy, but it should never be cramped.
If you are buying a crate for a puppy, you may wish to choose one that will accommodate their expected adult size. A secure, chew-resistant divider can be used to reduce the available space while they are small.
Too much extra room may allow a puppy to sleep at one end and toilet at the other, which can make toilet training more difficult.
Remove your dog’s collar or harness before leaving them unattended in a crate, as tags, buckles and straps can become caught and cause injury.
The right crate will depend on your dog’s size, temperament and behaviour, as well as whether you plan to use it at home, in the car or while travelling.
Collapsible wire crates
Wire crates are well ventilated and allow a dog to see what is happening around them. Many fold flat for convenient storage and transport and may include a divider for use during puppyhood.
A fitted cover or breathable blanket can be placed over part of the crate to create a more sheltered space. Always make sure there is adequate airflow and that your dog cannot pull the cover through the wire and chew it.
Wire crates may not be suitable for highly anxious or reactive dogs that could bend the wire or injure themselves while trying to escape.
Soft crates
Soft crates are lightweight, portable and often easy to fold and store. They can be useful for calm dogs that are already comfortable with being crated.
They are generally unsuitable for puppies that chew or dogs that may scratch, bite or push their way out when excited or distressed.
Plastic travel crates
Plastic travel crates, sometimes called airline-style crates, have solid sides with ventilation openings and a secure door.
They can provide more visual shelter than an open wire crate and may be suitable for travel or for dogs requiring a sturdier enclosure.
Their main disadvantage is that they do not usually fold down and can require considerable storage and vehicle space. Check the dimensions carefully before purchasing one.
If you intend to use a crate for air travel, confirm the airline’s current crate specifications before booking. Not every plastic crate is automatically approved by every airline.
Furniture-style dog crates
Furniture-style crates provide another option for owners who want a crate that blends more naturally into their home.
The Paws Room offers an Australian-owned range of dog crates designed to provide dogs with a calm, secure space while complementing the surrounding furniture.
Options include features such as lockable wheels, which make the crate easier to move, and additional chew-proofing for puppies or dogs that may chew the exposed surfaces.
Some detailed assembly is required, so check the measurements, features and suitability for your individual dog before choosing a design.
Furniture-style crates are intended primarily for use in the home. Unless a product is specifically designed and approved for transport, it should not replace a properly secured travel crate or vehicle restraint.
You can explore the range at The Paws Room.
Place comfortable, washable bedding inside the crate, provided your dog is not likely to chew and swallow it.
You may also wish to add a favourite toy or safe enrichment item. Keep the crate well ventilated and make sure your dog will not become too hot.
Some dogs prefer an open view of the room, while others relax more easily when part of the crate is covered. Observe your dog’s body language and adjust the setup according to what helps them settle.
A crate should remain accessible as a resting place even when you do not need to close the door. This allows your dog to choose it when they want some uninterrupted downtime.
Avoid:
Positive crate training should build feelings of safety and predictability. If your dog becomes increasingly worried, reassess the training plan rather than continuing to increase the duration.
If you have a new puppy, you may also find my guides to puppy-proofing your home and early puppy socialisation helpful.
Is crate training cruel?
Crate training is not cruel when the crate is introduced positively, is appropriately sized and is used for reasonable periods. It should provide a safe resting place and should never be used for punishment or prolonged confinement.
How long does it take to crate train a dog?
Some dogs become comfortable with a crate within days, while others may need several weeks or longer. Progress depends on the dog’s age, temperament, previous experiences and response to confinement.
Should I ignore my puppy crying in the crate?
A brief whine for attention is different from persistent fear or distress. Wait for a moment of quiet before opening the door when your puppy is mildly protesting, but do not ignore panic, frantic escape attempts or an urgent need to toilet.
Can crate training help with toilet training?
Yes. Because dogs generally avoid toileting where they sleep, an appropriately sized crate can support a consistent toilet-training routine. Puppies must still be taken outside frequently and rewarded for toileting in the correct place.
Can crate training prevent separation anxiety?
Crate training can help a puppy gradually learn to relax alone for short periods, but it cannot guarantee that separation anxiety will be prevented. Dogs already showing separation-related distress may panic when confined and should receive an individual behaviour plan. Learn more about separation anxiety and related behaviours HERE.
Should a dog crate be in the bedroom or living room?
Begin with the crate in a calm area where your dog can still feel included in family life. For a young puppy, placing it near your bed overnight may help you notice when they need a toilet break. Its location can be changed gradually once the dog is comfortable.
Should I cover my dog’s crate?
Some dogs feel more secure with part of the crate covered, while others prefer an unobstructed view. If you use a cover, maintain good ventilation and ensure your dog cannot pull the material inside and chew it.
What size crate does my dog need?
Choose a crate that allows your dog to stand naturally, turn around, sit and lie fully stretched out. For a growing puppy, choose an adult-sized crate with a secure divider that can be adjusted as the puppy grows.
About the Author: Lara Shannon is a certified dog behaviourist and trainer, pet food nutrition specialist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and is the Author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love Your Dog
Dog theft: How to keep your dog safe
Calm an Anxious Dog at the Vet or Groomer
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