There are so many benefits of crate training.

A crate can keep your pup safe when she sleeps at night or you need to be away for a short period. It also works hand-in-hand with housetraining by teaching your puppy to control her bladder because puppies have a natural tendency to keep their bed clean.

Key takeaways:

• Puppies literally like dark and confined places because it makes them feel safe.
• Ideally, the crate should be put inside your bedroom next to your bed
• You might also have another crate placed in a room where people hang out in the house for the day
• Do not leave your pup in the crate unattended for an extended period of time (e.g. 2 hours)

Watch this video from McCann Dog Training to learn about the importance of making the crate a fun, comfortable, and happy place for your puppy to love being in. 

The best thing about the crate is to prevent destructive behavior before your dog matures. That said, the crate can be used until a German Shepherd reaches 3 years old. But chances are if you are successful in making the crate a place your dog loves to be in, it can be her favorite den for the rest of her life. So this is certainly a good investment.