We’re told that crates are a “safe space,” a necessity for toilet training, or a tool to stop chewing. We’re told dogs love their crates if we train them positively. But what if those claims don’t hold up? What if crates aren’t the kindness we’ve been led to believe? In this episode, I unpack the myths surrounding crate use — from the idea that dogs are “den animals” to the marketing that disguises cages as something comforting. We’ll explore why dogs deserve more than confinement, the rare situations where a crate might be necessary, and how we can create true safety without shutting our dogs away. This is not an easy conversation — but it’s an important one. Because rethinking the way we use (and misuse) crates means giving our dogs back their freedom, their voice, and their right to feel safe in their own home. Together, we’re rewriting the rules.