How to Crate Train Your Puppy: Step-by-Step Guide
Crate training is one of the most effective ways to help your puppy feel safe, secure, and comfortable in your home. Not only does it provide them with a cozy den-like environment, but it also helps with housebreaking and teaches your puppy how to be calm and independent. If done correctly, crate training can be a positive experience for both you and your pup. Here's a step-by-step guide to crate training, along with a few must-have products to make the process smoother.
Step 1: Choose the Right Crate
Selecting the right crate is crucial for successful training. Your crate should be large enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and stretch out, but not so large that they can designate a separate area for potty breaks. Crates typically come in two types:
Wire Crates: These crates provide good ventilation and visibility, making them ideal for puppies who want to keep an eye on their surroundings.
Plastic Crates: These offer more privacy and create a den-like atmosphere, which is comforting for some dogs.
Pro Tip: If you have a growing puppy, consider getting a crate with a divider panel so you can adjust the size as they grow. Start with a smaller space to avoid accidents, then increase it gradually.
Instructions for Use:
Position the crate in a high-traffic area of the house where your puppy can feel part of the family.
Avoid placing the crate in a location that’s too isolated or too noisy. You want the crate to feel like a peaceful, secure spot.
Recommended Crates:
MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate
Purchase here on Amazon
A sturdy, foldable crate that comes in various sizes with a divider panel to adjust as your puppy grows.Petmate Two-Door Top Load Crate
Purchase here on Chewy
A smaller, portable option, perfect for short-term use or travel, with easy top and front access.
Step 2: Make the Crate Comfortable
Your puppy’s crate should feel like their personal sanctuary. Make it as inviting as possible by adding soft bedding and a couple of toys. However, don’t overload the crate with too many items, especially during the early stages of crate training.
Instructions for Use:
Bedding: Choose a soft, durable bed or crate pad. Avoid materials that could be chewed or shredded. If your puppy is still teething or not fully house-trained, use a water-resistant bed or crate mat that’s easy to clean.
Toys: Offer a few safe, chewable toys inside the crate. This helps build positive associations with the crate and keeps your puppy entertained while inside.
Pro Tip: Avoid placing food or water bowls inside the crate unless it’s for short-term containment. Most puppies won’t need constant access to water while in the crate for short periods, and it helps avoid spills.
Recommended Bedding:
PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed
Purchase here on Petco
An orthopedic memory foam bed that fits most crates, offering superior comfort for your puppy.
Step 3: Introduce Your Puppy to the Crate Slowly
The key to successful crate training is to take it slow. Forcing your puppy into the crate can lead to fear and anxiety, so the goal here is to let your puppy explore the crate voluntarily.
Instructions for Use:
Open Door Policy: Start by leaving the crate door open and allowing your puppy to explore it at their own pace. Place a few treats just inside the door, and once your puppy feels comfortable, place a treat deeper inside the crate to encourage them to enter.
Use Treats and Toys: Once your puppy steps inside, give them plenty of praise and treats. Repeat this several times throughout the day until they feel comfortable entering the crate on their own.
Pro Tip: Keep the crate door open and let your puppy wander in and out freely for the first few days. The goal is for your puppy to see the crate as a positive space.
Step 4: Feed Your Puppy in the Crate
One of the best ways to establish positive associations with the crate is to feed your puppy inside it. By associating the crate with something as rewarding as food, you’ll help your puppy develop positive feelings about being inside.
Instructions for Use:
Start with an Open Door: For the first few meals, place your puppy’s food bowl near the back of the crate and leave the door open while they eat. This helps them associate the crate with something they love: mealtime!
Close the Door Gradually: After a few meals, close the door while they eat. Make sure to open it as soon as they finish, so they don’t feel trapped.
Extend Crate Time: Gradually increase the time they stay inside after eating. Start with a few minutes, then slowly work up to longer periods over the course of a few days.
Pro Tip: Always offer positive reinforcement when they’re calm and relaxed inside the crate, such as gentle praise or a small treat.
Step 5: Practice Short Absences
Once your puppy is comfortable being inside the crate, it’s time to practice leaving them in it for short periods. This will help them get used to being alone, and teaches them that the crate is a safe place where they can relax.
Instructions for Use:
Start with 5-10 Minutes: Close the crate door and step away for just a few minutes at first, staying nearby so they can still see or hear you. Gradually increase the time as they grow more comfortable.
Don’t Respond to Whining: If your puppy whines or cries, avoid letting them out immediately. Wait until they are calm, then reward them by opening the door. This will help them learn that whining doesn’t lead to being let out.
Vary Your Presence: Practice leaving your puppy alone in the crate while you move to another room or go outside. This helps them get used to your absence without becoming anxious.
Pro Tip: Leave your puppy with a stuffed Kong or chew toy to keep them occupied while they’re in the crate. This helps reduce anxiety and gives them something to focus on.
Recommended Toys for Crate Time:
KONG Puppy Toy
Purchase here on Amazon
This durable, stuffable toy keeps your puppy entertained while you’re away, reducing anxiety.Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy
Purchase here on Chewy
A comforting toy with a heat pack and heartbeat feature, perfect for helping puppies relax in the crate.
Step 6: Extend Crating Time Gradually
As your puppy becomes more comfortable with the crate, you can begin extending the time they spend inside. Aim for calm, relaxed sessions and gradually increase the duration until your puppy can stay in the crate for up to an hour or more without distress.
Instructions for Use:
Napping in the Crate: Encourage your puppy to nap in the crate during the day. This reinforces the crate as a safe, restful place.
Gradual Time Increase: Increase the crating duration in small increments. If your puppy becomes restless or distressed, go back to shorter periods and work your way back up.
Monitor Behavior: Keep an eye on your puppy’s body language. If they’re calm and content, you can increase the time. If they seem anxious, reduce the time and try again later.
Pro Tip: Take your puppy outside for a potty break before any longer crating periods to prevent accidents.
Step 7: Crate Your Puppy at Night
Crating your puppy at night helps with house training and ensures they don’t get into trouble while you sleep. Puppies will naturally try to avoid soiling their sleeping area, so night crating helps build good potty habits.
Instructions for Use:
Place the Crate in Your Bedroom: For the first few weeks, keep the crate near your bed so your puppy can hear and smell you. This helps them feel secure.
Nighttime Potty Breaks: Puppies can’t hold their bladder all night, so be prepared for midnight potty trips. When they wake up and fuss, take them outside for a quick bathroom break, then return them to the crate.
Be Consistent: Stick to a nighttime routine. Take them out for a potty break right before bed, and crate them for the night.
Pro Tip: Once your puppy can sleep through the night without accidents, you can gradually move the crate farther away if desired.
Step 8: Be Consistent and Patient
Crate training takes time, and every puppy learns at their own pace. Stay patient and consistent, reinforcing good behavior with praise and treats. Don’t rush the process—your puppy needs time to feel comfortable with the crate.
Pro Tip: If your puppy seems stressed or anxious during crate training, slow down and give them more time to adjust. Never use the crate as a form of punishment, as this will create negative associations.
By following these steps and using helpful products like crates, beds, and toys, you’ll make crate training a positive experience for your puppy. With patience and consistency, your puppy will come to see the crate as a safe, comfortable place they love spending time in.
