Top 3 High Anxiety Dog Crate Recommendations
Welcoming a furry friend into your home brings a heart full of love, a dash of chaos, and a sprinkle of challenges—especially if your pooch is on the anxious side. Finding the perfect haven for them can feel like sifting through a puzzle where the pieces don’t quite fit. But fear not, dear pet parents!
This blog post is your golden ticket to discovering the best high-anxiety dog crates that promise security and a serene sanctuary for your nervous pup. Say goodbye to the days of constant worry and hello to peace of mind, knowing your dog is happy in their cozy retreat.
Should you crate a dog with anxiety?
The answer is a hopeful yes—with a few caveats. When introduced and used correctly, a crate can serve as a personal haven for your pooch, offering them a sense of security and solitude.
It’s all about creating a positive association with the crate, ensuring it’s seen as a safe space rather than a form of punishment. This sanctuary within your home can significantly ease your dog’s anxiety, especially when you’re not there to offer a comforting hug or soothing words.
What is the best crate for a dog with separation anxiety?
Three top contenders stand out when it comes to providing a secure environment for a dog with separation anxiety based on their build quality, security features, and overall design.
KELIXU 38 Heavy Duty Dog Crate
It is an excellent choice for its ultra-high hardness enhanced steel and dual prevent escape locks. Its 360-degree rotated locking casters make it easily movable, while the removable (slide-out) plastic tray simplifies cleaning. Praised for its chew-proof rating of 4.8 and overall sturdiness, it’s designed for large dogs and promises durability and reliability. Priced at $205.99, it’s a worthwhile investment in your dog’s safety and comfort.
SHUSHIM 48 Inch Heavy Duty Dog Crate
It stands out for its heavy-duty build and two safety locks, ensuring that even the most determined dogs remain secure. Its easy assembly, the convenience of removable caster wheels, and a durable tray for easy cleanup make it a popular choice. Highlighted by a perfect chew-proof rating of 5.0, it offers peace of mind for pet owners. With a price tag of $254.99, it’s recognized as Amazon’s Choice in Basic Dog Crates.
Impact Dog Crates High Anxiety Crate
Although the price is $839.30, it offers unmatched quality and security. Its best-in-class warranty, robust zinc steel paddle latch, and additional butterfly latches make it virtually escape-proof. Designed with small circle ventilation holes to prevent dental harm to your dog, the crate’s 62% thicker aluminum construction ensures superior durability. Its environmentally friendly design, using 99% recyclable materials, combines sustainability with the highest safety standards.
Each crate offers unique features to match the needs of dogs prone to severe anxiety, ensuring they have a haven when their owners are away.
We go into more detail on this topic in our article:
What can I give my dog for crate anxiety?
Managing crate anxiety in dogs requires patience, training, and sometimes a little help from some calming aids. Here are several effective ways to help ease your dog’s anxiety:
- Calming Treats and Chews: Look for treats formulated with natural anxiety-reducing ingredients like chamomile, tryptophan, and L-Theanine. These can be given before crating to help soothe your dog.
- Pheromone Diffusers and Sprays: These mimic the pheromones mother dogs produce to comfort their puppies. Spraying a little inside the crate or using a diffuser can be calming.
- Soft, Comforting Bedding: A cozy bed inside the crate can make it more inviting and comfortable for your anxious dog.
- Soothing Music or White Noise: Calming music or white noise near the crate can mask other sounds and help relax your dog.
- Interactive Toys: Leave a treat-dispensing toy in the crate with your dog to provide distraction and mental stimulation.
- Crate Cover: For some dogs, having a covered crate can create a den-like space that feels safer and more secure.
- Practice and Patience: Gradually acclimate your dog to the crate using positive reinforcement—never force them inside. Start with short periods and gradually increase the time as they become more comfortable.
Remember, every dog is unique, so it might take some time to discover what works best for your furry friend.
How do I get my anxious dog to sleep in his crate?
Getting an anxious dog to sleep in his crate comfortably can be quite the endeavor, but it’s not impossible. Here are some practical tips to create a soothing environment that encourages your furry friend to drift off to dreamland in their crate:
- Establish a Routine: Dogs thrive on routine. Establish a set bedtime and a pre-bedtime routine that may include a calm walk, a little playtime, and a final bathroom break. This helps signal to your dog that it’s time to wind down.
- Use a Comfort Item: Placing a piece of your clothing that smells like you inside the crate can be comforting for your dog. This familiar scent can help reduce their anxiety and make the crate feel safer.
- Warm Bedding: Ensure the bedding is comfortable and warm. Sometimes, a heated dog bed or a warm blanket can make the crate more inviting, especially in colder months.
- Calming Supplements or Treats: Consider giving your dog a calming supplement or treat before bed. Ingredients like melatonin can help regulate sleep cycles and promote relaxation.
- Crate Placement: Place the crate in a quiet area of your home but where your dog can still see and hear you if necessary. Being in a completely isolated part of the house might increase their anxiety.
- Limit Food and Water Before Bed: To help avoid middle-of-the-night bathroom needs, limit food and water intake before bedtime.
- Low-Key Goodbye: If you put your dog in the crate for the night, keep your goodbye calm and unexciting. This will help prevent ramping up their energy or anxiety at bedtime.
- Ignore Whining (to a point): If your dog whines at night, try to ignore it unless you suspect they need to go outside for a bathroom break. Paying too much attention to whining can inadvertently reinforce the behavior.
Remember, patience and consistency are key. With time and practice, your dog can learn to see their crate as a cozy, safe place to sleep every night.
How long does it take to crate train an anxious dog?
The duration of crate training an anxious dog can vary significantly, often depending on the dog’s age, temperament, previous experiences, and the consistency of the training approach.
Generally, a dog might take a few days to several weeks to get comfortable with a new crate. Dogs with severe anxiety or negative associations with confinement may require a longer period, sometimes months, to fully adapt to the crate as a safe space.
It’s crucial to progress at a comfortable pace for the dog, using positive reinforcement and never forcing the dog into the crate to build a positive association with it. Patience and consistency from the owner are key components in successfully crate training an anxious dog.
Making Every Moment Comfortable for an Anxiety-Free Dog Crate Training
When you choose the right high-anxiety dog crate, you’re not just investing in a piece of pet furniture; you’re providing a sanctuary for your furry companion—a place where they can find peace and safety in times of stress. Whether through the secure confines of a high-quality crate, the reassuring routine of bedtime, or the gradual and loving process of crate training, the path to an anxiety-free existence for your dog is paved with patience, understanding, and the right tools.
The goal isn’t just to get your dog to tolerate their crate but to help them love it as their own personal retreat. By following the guidelines and recommendations outlined, you’re well on your way to achieving this, ensuring your dog’s crate becomes a haven of comfort and security. Happy crate training!
Jessica is a veterinary medicine student who is passionate about animals. Living with her cherished dog, Milo, deepens her understanding of the human-animal connection, enhancing her empathy as a future veterinarian.
Jessica’s concise articles reflect her dedication to improving the lives of animals and those who care for them, making her an inspiring figure in the pet care field.
