[mickie]

My Jack Russell likes his pillow lined "box". I leave it open in my bedroom and he goes into it whenever I leave the house. It has his blankets there too.

He feels secure and comfortable.....nothing wrong with that.

[Lady Lucky]

Yes! Your pooch is secure and comfortable, because you leave it open. Pets can’t always communicate their psychological needs, but if you give them reasonable freedom to address their own needs, they are happier.
The problem arises when owners use the locks too much. Then the pet has anxiety about a place where he ought to have contentment; he can’t leave when he needs to, and don’t think he isn’t aware of that.
Would we go to our getaways if we knew we might not be able to “check out” when we desired?