1. Housetrain your dog. Efficient and humane training aids, crates take advantage of the dog's natural tendency to keep its sleeping area clean. However, you should crate your puppy for only as long as it can reasonably control its bladder and bowels.

2. Protect your dog. Crating a dog prevents it from chewing electrical cords or eating poisonous plants, toxic cleaning fluids, or nylon socks (which can tear up your dog's intestines.) These are only a few dangers awaiting new dogs left alone in a home.

3. Protect your property. A crate costs between $25 and $200, depending on its size and where you buy it. That's a bargain compared to the cost of replacing furniture and other belongings your new dog can destroy.

4. Curb and prevent separation anxiety. You love you dog, but you can't spend every minute of every day with it. The crate can help you teach your dog to enjoy spending time alone.

5. Introduce chew toys. A dog engrossed in chewing a toy will stay out of mischief. Give your dog time in its crate with two stuffed chew toys, and it'll become hooked on its crate and stay out of trouble.

6. Give a timeout. A new dog gives your great rewards, but it also can drain you. If your dog becomes excessively excited or starts nipping, use the crate for a brief timeout. Don't do this to punish your dog. (Never use a crate negatively.) Rather, the timeout allows your dog to regain its composure so it can interact appropriately with you.

7. Travel safely. Whether your dog travels by air or car, a crate is one of the best ways to ensure safety. Additionally, when you stay in a hotel, keep your dog in a crate to prevent damage.

8. Provide Security. Crates provide your dog with its own quiet place to hang outespecially important if you have a busy household and children. To encourage your dog to accept people petting it while inside the crate, praise it and give it tasty rewards on occasion. Also, let children know not to bother your dog while it is inside the crate. That's its quiet time.

Source: Dog-Friendly Dog Training by Andrea Arden (Howell Book House)