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Saturday, July 01, 2000, From the American Humane Association
Every Dog Needs A Den

Quiet time for your Dog!
Dogs are den animals. If you don't provide your dog with a "den" of his own, he'll make do with whatever is around- a chair that just fits, the narrow place behind the couch, or the wedge of space between the bed and the wall. One method of housetraining, called crate training, relies on a dog's own natural tendency to seek out those cozy and secure places.

An open crate is kind of like an indoor doghouse. While its primary function is to serve as a bed or den, used correctly and for brief periods of time, it can also be an ideal tool to housetrain your pet or keep those canines who suffer from separation anxiety from destroying the house while you run a few errands.

However, the dog is not supposed to live locked in the crate. Endless hours in the crate can lead to severe social and isolation problems for your dog- and he will no longer see the crate as a special retreat. When you are home, your dog needs to be out with you. In fact, the open crate should be kept in the room where the family spends most of its time. That way, your dog can seek refuge from the hubbub of household activity, yet still feel like a part of the family.

Once your dog realizes that the crate is sanctuary for him, and that no one can bother him while he is in his "den", he will begin to seek out the crate on his own.

Don't be concerned if from time to time your dog seeks out a corner of a room, starts to sleep under a table or desk, or even in an open closet. If the dog is comfortable there, its one place you won't have to worry about being soiled, and you'll know where to look for him!