Until a dog is perfectly trained, he needs a safe place in which he can do nothing wrong. This goes for puppies and older, unreliable dogs. When you can't keep your eyes glued to your dog and monitor his every move, confine him to a place where inappropriate behavior — soiling, stealing, shredding, chewing or scratching — isn't an option. Crating is suggested because it eliminates the risk that he'll damage woodwork, flooring, wall coverings, or cabinetry.

Assuming you ultimately want your dog to enjoy freedom in the house, crating is almost a necessity when your puppy or dog first comes to live with you. Crating is widely accepted by behaviorists, dog trainers, veterinarians, and knowledgeable dog owners as a humane means of confinement. Provided your dog is properly introduced to the crate, you should feel as comfortable about crating him in your absence as you would securing a toddler in a highchair at mealtime.

Whether the enclosure is a room, hallway, kennel, or crate, it should be:

Familiarizing Your Dog with the Crate

To create a positive association from the very beginning, allow your dog to dine in her new crate. Place her and her food inside and sit with your back blocking the doorway of the crate. Read a book until she's finished eating, then take her out. For her next meal, prop the crate door open and sit at the opening with your dog and her food. Place a few pieces of kibble at a time inside so she is walking in and out to eat. If your crate has a metal bottom, place a mat on it to provide good traction and reduce the noise caused by the dog's movement. To encourage your dog to go in more readily, arrange a barrier on both sides of the crate so she is channeled inside.

This puppy has a beautiful crate that's large enough for him to move around in comfortably but small enough to reduce the chances of him soiling it. He has a comfy bed to lie on and a toy to keep him occupied. Should his owner want to give him more privacy, a sheet can be placed over part of the crate. Without a covering, he is able to observe and be part of what is going on around him while enjoying his own space.

Next, teach your dog to enter and exit on command. Put her paws right in front of the opening. With one hand on her collar and the other pointing into the crate, command “Bed.” Pull her in by the collar as you place your hand under her tail and behind her rear legs to prevent her from backing away. If necessary, lift her in. Immediately invite her out by touching her chin and saying “Okay,” and then try five more quick repetitions. Practice several repetitions of this routine three or more times every day so she goes to bed on command — without being enclosed. If you shut her in and leave her every time she is put in the enclosure, she may develop a bad association with crating. But when she learns to go in the crate on command as a result of frequent practice, she is more likely to accept being enclosed.

Loving — and Hating — the Crate

If you reserve his favorite toy for the times he spends in the crate, he may actually look forward to crating as an opportunity to play with it. Leave food and water out of the crate; dogs don't need it in there and most will dump or scatter it instead of eating or drinking. If you've chosen a metal crate with lots of openings, create a peaceful environment by covering it with a sheet or, if his tendency is to pull it in, surround the crate with a couple of stiff panels for a more enclosed, denlike atmosphere. Avoid leaving a TV or radio on because your puppy may become a victim of unsettling and noisy programming and advertisements. Replace that cacophony with white noise; the gentle whir of a fan puts dogs at ease.

Sometimes a dog will bark, yodel, whine, or howl when crated. Unless he is trying to tell you he has to go potty, ignore any noise he might make. Most dogs will quiet down if you completely ignore them. That means no eye contact or other body language that may show him you're aware of him. If your dog doesn't quiet down and you or your family members are losing sleep or sanity, startle him into being quiet. Startling him does not mean hurting him, it means catching him by surprise. Do this by throwing an empty soda can containing a few pennies at his covered crate, or clap your hands sharply twice. Don't use your voice, as your dog may simply think you're trying to talk to him, which will encourage him to talk back.

You can also create an earthquake by attaching the leash to his crate and giving it a jerk as he barks. If he's keeping you awake at night, move the crate close to your bed. This way you won't have to get up to administer a correction. If you're using a leash jerk, attach the handle to your bedpost for easy access. Once he's learned to sleep quietly through the night, gradually move the crate back to the original location.

Let him know he's behaving the way you want by giving him positive attention once he is quiet. For example, if you clap and he settles down, give him a minute, then go over and speak to him in a kind and assuring voice, letting him know that he's a good boy when he's quiet. If your attention gets him worked up again, turn it off by walking away and ignoring him, only returning to praise when he's quiet.