The Ultimate Guide to Crate Training a Puppy

If you’re new to dog training, you may view crate training as a form of “imprisonment” that limits your dog’s freedom of movement. This idea can’t be more detached from reality. Crate training a puppy is an excellent way to raise a well-behaved dog, minimize property damage, and give your pet a haven to calm down. 

Do you want to know more about the crate training process and how to do it correctly? Read on to discover crate training tips for puppies and achieve crate training success.

What Is Crate Training?

Though crate training confines your dog, it’s not simply about locking them in a crate. Instead, it gradually introduces the dog to a crate and teaches them to feel safe and comfortable. A successfully crate-trained dog views it as a den where they can relax and reduce anxiety.

Before You Start Crate Training a Puppy

You need to choose the right type of crate to train your puppy. Your dog’s comfort and the specific model's practical benefits are key factors to consider. Let’s start with the size.

Choose the right size

Ideally, a pup should be able to sit, stand, turn around, and lie down in the crate with enough freedom of movement.

Choose the right type

Depending on your budget and the purpose of using a crate, you can choose from various materials, like plastic, metal, or wood.

Stock up on extra supplies

To make training effective, you should create a comfortable crate. We suggest buying bedding that will be cozy but easy to clean. You can also place durable toys for your puppy to chew on while in the crate (including interactive toys, such as a Kong classic).

Finally, you’ll need tasty treats to motivate you to enter a crate and form positive associations with the place (include chew treats, such as yak bars, dehydrated pig ears, or other natural and durable chew snacks).

When Can I Start Crate Training My Puppy?

Though it’s never too late to introduce your pup to a crate, starting as early as eight weeks is preferable. Crate training helps a puppy accommodate faster to their new home and feel more relaxed in an unfamiliar environment. At that age, a pup’s brain is naturally wired to learn and adapt to new rules and boundaries.

How Long Does It Take to Crate Train a Puppy?

The time needed to crate train a puppy varies depending on many factors, such as your dog’s personality, age, and consistency of the training. Some pups master the crate training in a few days; for some, it may take several months. Many experts suggest being ready to dedicate six months to this process.

Pros and Cons of Crate Training

Crate training for puppies is beneficial for many reasons, including the housebreaking process and emergencies when transporting your dog from one place to another. Let’s dive deeper into how it can make your life with a dog more manageable.

Pros of puppy crate training include:

• The crate becomes your dog’s den: A crate-trained dog uses it as their designated spot to relax and hide from the overstimulating environment. 
• Easier to potty train: Since dogs instinctively keep their dens clean, they will never urinate there. You can place your dog in a crate during potty training to help them learn better bladder control and the concept of potty breaks (if the dog is comfortable inside the crate).
• Solution for emergencies: An urgent vet visit or a need to take your pup somewhere fast. You never know when you will face a situation where you must get your dog into the car and drive away. Having a crate-trained dog makes your dog cooperate much better in an emergency.
• Prevent unwanted behaviors: Excessive barking or jumping to greet new visitors are common behaviors dog parents have to deal with. One way to tackle them is to isolate your dog from a trigger physically.

Note: It’s important to work on modifying the behavior, as the crate won’t solve any problems. It will just help you to manage the situation.

Despite the numerous benefits of using crates for dogs, sometimes they may impact a dog negatively. In most cases, it happens due to incorrect crate usage, which causes unwanted behavioral responses.

Cons of puppy crate training include:

• Too much time in the crate: Because of its convenience, some owners become too dependent on using a crate. The fact that a dog can feel comfortable in a crate doesn’t mean they should spend all their time there. It is more of a tool to use in specific situations, not a place for permanent living.
• Physical discomfort: A common problem with crates is using one that is too small for your dog. A correct-sized crate allows a dog to stand up and move inside.
• Can be dangerous if not used properly: Assemble the crate correctly before letting your dog enter it. Otherwise, the crate can collapse and injure the dog. Also, ensure you install it in a place with proper ventilation.
• Trigger unwanted behavior: If used for punishment, a crate can trigger fear, stress, and anxious behaviors in dogs.

How to Crate Train a Dog: A Five-Step Guide

Once you have set everything up to crate train a puppy, you can proceed with training sessions. Remember to keep the process steady so your dog can adapt to new demands and environments.

Step 1. Introduction

Puppy crate training starts with introducing the dog to the crate. Open the crate door, leave a treat inside, and encourage your puppy to walk in and explore the spot. You can also place interesting toys to show your dog how exciting the crate can be.

Feed the dog ínside the crate. If they don’t want to enter the crate yet, don’t worry. Leave their food bowl next to the crate’s door so that they can get used to being near it. Gradually, move the food bowl into the crate until you’re able to feed them there.

Step 2. Building positive associations

When your dog feels comfortable around the crate, you can work on making it fun. How your dog treats the crate is one of the crucial factors determining the success of the crate training. Play some games, such as fetch or hide-and-seek, when a dog enters the crate and enjoys time in it.

Step 3. Closing the door

The next step is to close the door while the dog is inside. Place high-value treats and toys inside the crate and let your dog in to have a rest there. Then, try closing the door and observing your dog’s reaction. If your dog doesn’t show discomfort, like barking or whimpering, you can keep them in as long as they play with toys or finish the treats.

Step 4. Adding distance

Repeat the previous step, but leave the room after you close the door. Stay nearby to check whether your dog feels comfortable and doesn’t try to escape the crate. If trained correctly, your dog should tolerate your absence well and may even nap inside the crate. 

Step 5. Increasing duration

Now, it’s time to leave your dog in the crate for a longer time. Increase the duration of your absence gradually. Eventually, you can even try leaving the house for a short period. Using a pet camera, you can monitor your dog’s reaction to you not being present.

More Crate Training Tips for Puppies

We’ve collected a list of expert tips on how to make adjustments to a crate easier for your puppy: 

• Check your dog's time in the crate; they should not stay confined for too long.
• Ensure they get time for walks, free play, and interaction with you.
• A puppy crate-training schedule must include a potty break to prevent them from soiling the crate.
• Avoid using a crate for punishment.
• Place a bowl with food inside the crate to motivate your pup to come in.
• Remove a collar, leash, or tag before letting your puppy into the crate – this prevents suffocation and possible injuries.
• Monitor your dog’s body language to avoid making them stressed or anxious inside the crate.

Common Mistakes When Crate Training a Puppy

One of the most common mistakes is having unrealistic expectations about how long the process should take. Though training a young puppy is easier and faster than training a mature dog, rushing things can only halt the progress. Repeat each step patiently to ensure your dog masters the skill before transitioning to the next stage. 

Another common issue among dog parents is giving up too soon. On the one hand, you shouldn’t practice the “cry it out” method and leave your puppy in the crate despite their apparent discomfort. However, it’s essential to differentiate between real stress and moderate whining before your dog settles in. 

Finally, avoid punishing your puppy by putting them in the crate. Such a negative experience is difficult to overcome and can make crate training unnecessarily challenging.

Wrap Up

Proper crate training has numerous advantages that simplify daily cooperation for dogs and owners alike. Work patiently, choose the right crate, and build positive associations to make your dog feel content while confined. Relying on positive reinforcement guarantees that your dog will become a fan of crate training.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What to do if a puppy whines and cries in a crate?

To make your dog feel more comfortable, stay near the crate and play with them to distract them. You can also offer puppy food or toys to keep them busy. If the whining doesn’t stop, let your dog out and come to the training after some time. 

2. How to do crate training a puppy while at work?

The schedule for working owners is demanding, as the training sessions should be consistent. Allocate the time you can dedicate to the training daily and try to stick to it. Work on separation anxiety, as it can arise due to your prolonged absence. 

3. When to stop crate training?

Most dogs can stop training around 12 months old. Signs that the dog can be left to walk freely around the house are the absence of disruptive behaviors, no accidents inside the house, and a good tolerance for spending time in the crate.  

4. What to do if crate training is not working?

Seek professional assistance to help crate train your puppy if your in-home attempts fail. An expert can identify the root of resistance and help your puppy overcome the obstacles. 

5. Is crate training good or bad?

Properly conducted crate training is beneficial for dogs. The significant downsides are related to human error, such as the wrong size, confining the dog for too long, or ignoring safety hazards. However, in its essence, crate provides dogs with a comfortable place and makes them easier to manage.