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Beyond the Crate: Why Confinement Doesn’t Fix Separation Anxiety


brown dog looking out window

You've probably heard this: "If your dog feels anxious when you're gone, just put them in a crate while you’re out." Sounds easy. The truth might surprise you—crating alone often makes things worse.


Here’s why confinement isn't the real answer and what helps your dog feel safe and secure:


Separation Anxiety Isn't About Space

Your dog isn’t panicking because they’re running loose in the house—the causes of separation anxiety in dogs go way deeper than that. Your pup freaks out because being alone feels overwhelming and scary. It’s not something your dog chooses to do. It’s just how their fear and anxiety kick in.


Crates can be great for house training or giving your dog a safe, cozy spot to hang out, but they’re not the fix for separation anxiety. Packing your dog into a smaller space might seem easy, but it doesn’t tackle the real problem. To help your pup feel better, understand their emotions and give them the right support—whether training, calming routines, or tools that make them feel safe when you’re not there. If you have questions, your veterinarian or a Certified Canine Anxiety Specialist can greatly help (see below).


How Crating Can Make Things Worse

Forcing your dog into a crate can feel, to them, like the walls are closing in on their very soul. Instead of offering comfort, it may amplify their fear, leaving them more anxious, not less. For a dog battling the deep, aching loneliness of separation anxiety, confinement can become an unbearable storm. They may panic. They may fight to escape, desperate and hurting, to feel safe, free, and loved.


Some dogs may chew, scratch, or injure themselves on the crate in their desperation. Rather than providing comfort, crates can unintentionally reinforce your dog's fear of being alone, making it harder for them to feel secure.


What Helps? A Secure, Predictable Routine

The secret to success lies in trust earned slowly. To help your dog feel safe being alone, you must guide them gently, step by step, through the discovery process. Begin with the tiniest moments—leaving the room for a few seconds or a minute. Then, stretch time slowly. Think of the discovery process as a dance of patience and consistency, where small steps lead your pup to freedom, ease, and trust.


Creating a Calm Space Without a Crate

Creating a comfortable and secure space for your dog is important, especially if they struggle with anxiety. They need an area to feel safe and relaxed, not confined or trapped. 


For many anxious dogs, options like baby gates, larger open spaces, or a dedicated “safe room” work far better than traditional crates. You can make the space even more soothing by adding calming background noise, such as soft music or white noise, to help drown out outside distractions. I have a friend who has a playlist of dog-friendly YouTube videos, and she plays the videos for her dog when she goes out.Familiar scents, like a blanket or a shirt that smells like you, can also comfort your dog and help them feel more at ease. Giving your dog a happy, peaceful environment is easy, but it does take a little patience:


Building Independence, One Step at a Time

Before practicing alone time, it's important first to build your dog's confidence while you're at home. Begin by guiding your dog toward a state of calm at a distance—perhaps in their bed or a nearby room—while you remain present. Reward this calm behavior with positive reinforcement, creating a connection between separation and something good. Independence, after all, is built slowly, like a garden cultivated with care. 


Turn solo time into party time for your pup! Load puzzle toys with tasty treats spread peanut butter on a lick mat, or turn your living room into a snack treasure hunt with scent games. These fun activities do more than keep them busy—they work their brains, boost their confidence, and teach them that being distant from you isn’t so bad. With a little creativity and consistency, you’ll have them wagging their tails through solo time in no time!


Why Separation Anxiety Training Takes Time

Celebrate small steps and acknowledge the progress, no matter how minor. Is your dog sitting quietly by the door, his tail wagging softly instead of pacing anxiously back and forth? That’s a win. It's time for a reward. Do his ears twitch as you leave the room, but he stays settled, glancing back without the usual whine or barking? Another win, another reward. These small victories are signs that your efforts are making a difference. If your dog lifts their head when you grab your keys but remains calm instead of panicking, that’s meaningful progress worth celebrating.


These moments may feel small, but for your dog, they represent big steps toward feeling more secure when you’re not right there. Never hesitate to celebrate with a favorite treat, extra cuddles, or a bit of playtime to reinforce these positive behaviors.


Can Crating Ever Help?

Crating can sometimes help, but only if your dog truly loves the crate and sees it as its safe spot. It should never feel forced. The crate works best as part of a relaxation routine, not as a way to "fix" anxiety.


When to Get Professional Help

Separation anxiety can be tough. Sometimes, it needs more than home training, and working with a specialist means you’re not alone. If your dog's anxiety overwhelms you, a certified canine anxiety specialist will create a customized plan that’s perfect for you and your pup. An anxiety specialist can help recognize when you should call your veterinarian. For severe anxiety, your vet may recommend additional treatments or prescribe medication to provide extra support. 


The Real Goal: Confidence, Not Confinement

Your goal isn’t to “force” your dog to adapt to being alone. No, it’s so much deeper and more tender than that. Every moment you spend showing your dog that the world can be a kind and steady place helps them to feel safe. It’s a practice of patience, of compassion, of connection. And if you’re reading this, you’re already doing great. You’re showing up for your dog in a way that they can feel, even if they can’t articulate it. Keep going. Trust that, with time and care, your dog will find their way to that calm, steady place, too. You’re both learning, and you’re both growing. What a beautiful life to have together.


About Stephanie Barger, Canine Zen

Stephanie Barger is a dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety and behavior modification. She spent the early years of her career teaching humans before transitioning to dog training over a decade ago. Her passion is helping you and your dog live more harmoniously together.


The name of her business, Canine Zen, embodies her approach to life with our dogs. She recognizes that dogs are living, breathing, sentient, social beings that need human support, compassion, and understanding to live beside us in our strange human world. She shows people how to effectively communicate with their dogs and understand what their dogs are trying to say to them. She strives to provide a safe environment for dogs and humans to learn and thrive together without fear, pain, or judgment.


If your life with your dog is not what you anticipated and "nothing has worked" to change things, Stephanie can help you understand and work with your dog to achieve your goals and a better life together. She is an amazing teacher who works compassionately with humans and dogs and provides practical solutions for your dog training needs. Her goal is to calm the chaos in your home.


Feel free to contact Stephanie if you want to transform your relationship with your dog and create a more harmonious home. You can also ask questions in the comment box below. 


Free Discovery Call with Stephanie: https://train.caninezen.com/book-discovery-call-page


Stephanie and Canine Zen's links/handles:  


Stephanie’s Certifications/Organizational Affiliations:  

Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)  

Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA)  

Certificate of Completion-Aggression in Dogs Master Class  

Fear Free Certified Professional (FFP-Trainer)  

Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)  

Member of the Association of Professional Trainers (APT)  

Member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)  

Member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG)  

Alignable Ambassador: Alliance of Central NM  

Alignable Group Co-Leader: Pet Industry Group  

Owner/Operator of Canine Zen LLC

 
 
 

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