Deciding whether to cage train your pup or to have them sleep in a dog bed can be an overwhelming choice as a new dog owner, also the decision whether to transition from a cage to a dog bed is a big one. There are pros and cons of both sleeping arrangements and the main thing is finding which one will work for you and your dog.
Cage Training Your Pup
Cage training is a great way to help settle your puppy in their new home, it provides a safe den like space for them to enjoy some quiet time, a nap or even a chew on their favourite toy in.
Advantages of using a cage
- Creates a safe space for your dog
- Can help with the toilet training process
- Can help with separation anxiety
- Keeps them safe from potential dangers around your house
- Harder for your dog to destroy that a dog bed
- Great if you travel with your dog - they’re perfect for in the boot of the car as well as settling your dog down in unfamiliar environments
Disadvantages of cage training
- If a dog isn’t cage trained properly they may fear the cage or view it as a form of punishment
- Crates can be big, especially if you have a large breed, not every house has the room for a large crate
- On their own cage aren’t as cozy as a dog bed, however we specialise in cage bedding designed to make your dog’s cage as cozy as possible.
Dog Cage Sets
Our Lords & Labradors cage bedding has been designed to make your dog’s cage the ultimate cozy den! It consists of four parts:
- The Dog Cage - Our cages come in 5 sizes so we’re sure to have the perfect fit. They have thicker bars than standard cages and a metal tray, making them more robust than standard dog cages
- Cage Cushion - The first item we recommend to make your dog’s cage more cozy is a super plump cushion. Our cushions have deep hollow fibre filling, and our signature collection all have removable covers making them easy to wash. They can also be used as a standalone bed, making them perfect to travel with
- Cage Bumper - The next item we recommend is our padded bumpers, they go round the inside of the cage making the perfect wall for your dog to rest their head on.
- Cage Cover - The final piece of our cage sets is our cage covers. These slot on over your dog’s cage and really help with settling in and building a routine, teaching your dog it’s time to settle and go to sleep when the doors are rolled down can really help in them first few weeks as a puppy owners.
Our cage bedding is available in our most popular fabrics, so whatever your interior looks like we’re sure to have something to match!
How to cage train a dog
If you’re wanting to cage train your dog it’s important to do it properly so that it’s a positive experience for both you and your puppy. Start by taking it slowly and rewarding your puppy every time they go in will help them to form positive associations with their cage, you can even feed them their meals in there whilst they’re getting used to it. The most important thing to remember, however, is to never use the cage as a form of punishment - this will do more harm than good! For more detail on how to crate train your puppy, our pet experts have written an in-depth guide including everything you need to know here.
Using a Dog Bed
Advantages of dog beds
- Gives your dog more freedom which suits some dog’s personalities better
- Easier to move around your house as they’re less bulky than a cage
- Cozier than a traditional dog cage - perfect if your dog loves to snuggle
Disadvantages of dog beds
- Your dog can roam around in the night and potentially chew things they shouldn’t or hurt themselves whilst you’re sleeping
- Some dogs like to chew dog beds and rip them apart meaning you may have to replace them more frequently than a dog cage
Picking the right bed for your dog
We know it’s difficult finding the perfect bed for your dog to sleep in. They come in all shapes and sizes so the main thing to do is think about how your dog sleeps, if they like to curl up they may prefer a high wall round bed or if they enjoy stretching out then maybe they’re suited more to a box bed or cushion. We have a handy guide which looks at all the best types of dog bed and goes through which bed will suit your dog. Read our dog bed guide here!
Transitioning from a cage to a bed
If you’ve cage trained your puppy, as they get older and you can trust them more you may feel they’re more suited to sleeping in a bed. This is a process which requires patience and going back to basics.
- Start by leaving the cage door unlocked and slightly open for a few nights. We recommend keeping them contained in one room to start with so they don’t feel overwhelmed by having free rein of your whole house. By just leaving the door slightly open you’re allowing your dog to get used to the freedom without overwhelming them.
- Start leaving your cage door fully open when you go to bed, settling your dog in their crate as you normally would and leaving them. This way they have the option to explore but still return to their cage if they feel unsafe.
- Once your dog is comfortable you can then look to remove the cage and have them sleep on their cushion or mat they’ve been using in their crate, this way there’s still some familiarity for them. You can swap to a new dog bed once your dog has gotten the hang of sleeping outside the crate at night.
We hope you found this article useful, remember what a dog needs isn’t once size fits all and finding what works for your dog may take a little trial and error. If you’re still unsure why not explore our range of crate bedding and luxury dog beds? It will help give you a little more idea on what’s going to work for you and your puppy.