If you own dogs, chances are you’ve either used or considered using dog crates for puppy training. Or you’ve planned a trip and wanted to take your best friend along and thought about them as pet carriers. But while puppy training and animal transport are important considerations, dog crates serve another purpose that might be even more important for your pet’s quality of life – a safe den.

Dog crates offer an enclosed space that canines naturally crave. Millions of years of evolution have instilled this desire. That being the case, it’s very important while puppy training that you teach your pet early on that his crate is safe and a good place. Never use it as a form of punishment!

Another use for dog crates beyond puppy training is as a place to recuperate from an injury or illness. This is especially advantageous if you have two or more dogs. Sick and injured animals, canines included, seek solitude while healing. They can be temperamental and even dangerous, even if normally mild-mannered and sweet. A crate offers a perfect solution.

In the home, placing dog crates in areas you frequent is important. Your pet wants to be around you and your family as much as possible. So take care to put his crate in a good location – the kitchen, bedroom, family den. Again, during the puppy training phase this is a good thing to keep in mind so you don’t inadvertently train your dog that his enclosure is a punishment area.

Finally, dog crates double as beds for many dogs. Choose a soft, cushioned bedding for the floor of his new crate. At the beginning, while puppy training, you may want to opt for a washable material, until he learns not to soil it.

John Schwartz is the owner and webmaster of http://puppies-dogs-supplies.com. He lives in East Texas with his wife, Shannon, who owns a dog rescue 'no kill' shelter.