Ditching the Crate Was a Game-Changer for My Anxious Dog
Crates Aren’t the Solution to Separation Anxiety. Feeling Safe Is.
When I stopped using a crate for my anxious pup, everything changed.
At first, I felt a huge sense of relief. I realized that what I thought I “should” be doing wasn’t actually right for me or my dog. And here’s the thing. Crate training is not the first or most important thing to teach a puppy.
When Raisin was a puppy, she had major anxiety with confinement, on top of her separation anxiety. That meant the crate didn’t feel safe. It felt trapped.
So, I ditched the crate. And guess what? Raisin was instantly more comfortable, which allowed us to actually work on her separation anxiety.
Now? She can stay home alone, free in the house, for over six hours! That would have never happened if I had forced her to “get used to” the crate.
For many dogs, confinement itself causes anxiety, especially when they feel trapped with no way out. If a dog is already struggling with being left alone, adding confinement can make their separation anxiety even worse instead of better.
One of the biggest myths about dogs is that they are den animals, that they should love crates because of some instinctual need for a small, enclosed space. But here’s the truth.
🐾 Domesticated dogs are not den animals
🐾 Wild canines don’t live in dens except for raising puppies and only for a few weeks
🐾 Adult dogs naturally prefer open spaces where they can see and escape danger if needed
If your dog panics in a crate, that’s not stubbornness. That’s fear. Crates aren’t the solution to separation anxiety. Teaching safety and independence is.
Some dogs do love their crates, and that’s great. But if your dog hates being crated, forcing it won’t help. Instead of focusing on confinement, focus on teaching your dog to feel safe alone wherever they’re most comfortable. That’s exactly what I did with Raisin, and it made all the difference.
Crate training can be a useful life skill, but it should be taught separately from separation anxiety training. It’s also not the first or even the top ten skills I’d prioritize for a new dog or puppy. Instead, focus on helping your dog feel safe, secure, and confident when home alone. That foundation matters way more than crate training.