I sleep in a dog crate — it’s not a fetish, it’s therapy

Being in the doghouse never felt so good.

A woman who claims that she likes to sleep in a dog kennel — which she views as a “safe space” from environmental triggers — has divided viewers on TikTok.

Clips of her unorthodox hideaway are currently amassing thousands of views as commenters debate the benefits of being crate bound.

“I do use it daily and it’s also nice to hang out in sometimes,” Lia Parker, 21, told NeedToKnow.co.uk of her unlikely haven.

The US gal often shares clips of her doggy domicile with her over 112,000 followers on TikTok.

In one clip with nearly 800,000 views, the influencer takes viewers on a “Cribs”-style tour of the confined crate, which she’s decorated with blankets, teddy bears and stickers to make it feel like home.

Despite the cramped dimensions, Parker believes her unusual sleeping accommodations are much more comfortable than her queen bed.

Parker isn’t sleeping doggystyle out of some furry fetish or because she identifies as man’s best friend — but rather for “self-soothing” reasons.

“It helps me regulate emotionally and symptomatically,” the kennel colonizer insisted. “For me, it feels like a hug and like a hideaway, somewhere separate from whatever is triggering me or making me upset.”

Parker claims the idea for this psychological detox measure was borne out of growing up in a “disruptive” household, where she would often seek shelter in cozy nooks such as a wardrobe.

She recalled how she’d pack the closet with pillows and blankets in order to simulate a “warm hug.”

This yearning continued into her teens, whereupon she decided to re-create her childhood “pillow” fort with a dog crate — which had the same snug dimensions.

“I love my safe space, I love that it’s in its own room and so it feels totally disconnected from the rest of my life and anything I associate with triggers or stressors,” gushed Parker.

She claims she’s even spoken to “multiple therapists and a psychiatrist, who all loved and supported the idea.”

Despite the alleged expert endorsement, the ever-merciless TikTokerati were quick to rattle Parker’s cage, deeming her sleeping setup claustrophobic and indicative of arrested development.

“You have to be joking how r u not embarrassed,” scoffed one commenter, while another wrote, “that looks so claustrophobic.”

“Childhood? Cage? What?” spluttered another.

Parker said some detractors even accused her of trying to live out some sort of BDSM fantasy.

“I knew most people wouldn’t understand or think it was weird,” the dog-like napper lamented. “People like to hate and judge what they don’t understand and people on the internet are quick to make assumptions.

She added, “I’m sure if it was a cardboard box or blanket fort, then no one would care.”

Parker said the “sexual” fetish accusations make her particularly “uncomfortable” given how many times she’s explained that’s not the case.

“It feels like they’re intentionally fetishizing something that I’ve made clear is tied to trauma,” she said, before declaring, “It’s not my job to prove myself to these people.”

Fortunately, the TikToker receives mostly positive responses with many fans even expressing their desire to join the “kennel club.”

“Whatever works for you love,” said one sympathizer while another wrote, “That looks so comfortable!! Glad you have given yourself a comfy safe space!!”

“Sighs, goes to the pet store,” joked one TikTok wit.

Another inquired, “Where do you suggest starting? We’re trying to figure out how to do this too.”

In fact, Parker says she’s frequently messaged by adults, who also like to sequester themselves in similarly unlikely safe spaces.

Parker doesn’t have crate expectations for everyone, but rather she simply hopes “to de-stigmatize PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder] and the long-lasting effects of trauma.”

“I feel like a lot of people are ashamed of what brings them comfort, but I figured if the crate could help me, then it could also help others,” she declared.