Dogs like to be in a small, well-defined space they can call their own. It is also a place that they instinctively avoid soiling. This combination of traits is what makes crate training effective in house-training a new puppy or dog. A dog crate can also be the place where your dog can rest and find his down time.

If you have just acquired a dog, a crate helps limit access to the entire house until he learns the house rules. The crate can help with housetraining by setting up routines. For instance, you can feed your pet in the crate then afterwards, carry him or walk him on a leash straight out to an elimination site.