Another Reason to Crate Train Your Dog

After several months of boarding dogs in our home, I have come to realize that letting your dog sleep in bed with you is a real catch 22. Being the overly doting mama of Eddie, I completely understand the desire to have your dog sleep in bed with you. However, now seeing what happens to those dogs while boarding, I can say I am not sure I would ever allow another dog of mine to get too comfy in our bed. And here's why.

Dogs that are used to sleeping in bed with their owners are absolutely miserable when they cannot have the same luxury while their owners are away. They are already slightly stressed out from being in a new environment with new people and a new schedule, and it just adds to that stress if they have no real place to call their own (aka a crate). Believe me, if I only watched one dog at a time, I really would honor the idea of letting dogs sleep in our bed. But usually we have at least three at our house (other than Eddie) at a time, and the bed just isn't that big!

Judging from past experiences, the dogs that seem to be much less stressed out and transition easier to life sans owners are those that sleep in a crate every night. They have a place that smells like home and that they feel safe in. Now here comes the catch 22 - I know how hard it is to get a new dog (puppy or adult) and crate train it (I have only done it half successfully once) when you are it's mama and papa. It's just excruciating to hear the little thing scream and cry in the crate, thinking how horrible you are as parents. And who wouldn't want that little love muffin cuddling up with you in bed?!? 

But I ask you, would you rather have your dog be upset a few nights in a crate safely at home with you or confused and alarmed in a complete stranger's house?