Why I Teach Every Dog Place and Crate Training

There are a lot of opinions in the dog world—but one thing I’ll always stand by: every dog can benefit from learning both crate and place training.

Let’s start with crate training.

Crates often get a bad rap. People assume it’s cruel or “locking them up.” But when used correctly, a crate is the opposite of punishment. It’s a decompression space. It’s a safe zone. It’s a tool for creating structure in your home, for helping your dog self-soothe, and for giving them a break when they’re overstimulated.

Think of it like a bedroom. Puppies, adult dogs, reactive dogs—they all need a place where nothing is expected of them. Where they can rest. Where the world is quiet. A crate gives them that.

Crate training also helps with potty training, separation anxiety, and setting boundaries in multi-dog households. It’s not forever—but it’s a foundational skill that supports long-term freedom.

Now let’s talk about place.

“Place” means going to a defined location (like a bed or mat) and staying there until released. It sounds simple, but it’s powerful.

Place teaches self-regulation. It teaches duration. It creates calm in chaotic moments—like when guests arrive, when food is being prepped, or when other dogs are playing. Place can help stop problem behaviors before they start by giving your dog something else to do.

It’s also a huge help for reactive, anxious, or overstimulated dogs. The mat becomes a cue to chill out. To observe without acting. To think before reacting.

I use place and crate training with nearly every dog I work with. And not just because they’re convenient—but because they give the dog tools to handle the real world. They create moments of calm, moments of clarity, and moments where the dog gets to rest their brain instead of constantly making choices.

These aren’t just obedience cues—they’re life skills. And in my experience, they’re some of the most valuable ones you can teach.