Crate training can be challenging for those who have never used them before. Personally I was appalled by the idea at first because to me it felt like animal cruelty, locking them away in a cage. I didn’t understand that most dogs look for a den environment to feel safe and secure, and the crate gives them this space. Once I understood the logic behind it, I was on board. It is important to do research on your dog breed before you begin crate training, as not all dogs will respond positively to crates.

Picking the Right Crate

The most important thing to keep in mind when you begin the process of crate training is to make sure you pick the right crate for your dog and your needs. Crates should be tall enough for the dog to stand in (at full size) and turn around in. You should be careful to get a crate that fits your dog through all stages. Do not get a crate that is too large because that can actually make training more difficult. The most common crate types are plastic travel crates or a metal bar (cage) crates. Each has its own pros and cons.

The plastic travel crate is usually the more popular choice for smaller dogs. It is easy to take with you on a plane or car ride. It can provide privacy and less light for the dog. These are the preferred crates for air travel. (Be sure to check with your airline for their specific requirements.) If you will be flying frequently with your dog, this a good crate to have. This crate has its problems though. It is difficult to clean if your dog makes a mess inside. When scared, your dog can hide in the back out of reach, making them difficult coax out of the crate. These crates take up more space when not in use during travel.

The metal bar crate is the more common choice for larger dogs. They usually come with an additional piece so that you can grow the crate as your puppy grows, eliminating the need to purchase multiple crates. They are easy to see inside of, and easier to clean. They usually have multiple doors so you can find one that will work with the location you place the crate. They can fold down for easy travel to about 2 inches tall. The downside of these crates is that they are not allowed on most airlines. There is also fear that dogs who wear collars or harnesses could become caught in the wires and potentially be choked.

Other options for crates are fabric travel crates. They are similar to pop up tents and are great for traveling. They are also easy to clean.

Crate Setup

Now that you have the right type of crate for your dog you need to make it feel like home. Most experts will recommend putting a blanket in the crate instead of a foam pad or bed. Most dogs love to dig in the blanket to make it comfortable for them. Some dogs will chew or shred a foam pad because they want to adjust the filling to make it more comfortable. You will spend significantly less money over time if you get a quality washable blanket for the crate.

It is also important to find a good location for the crate. A corner of a room where you will spend most of your time is important. Dogs like corners, because they feel safe knowing that there can be nothing coming from at least two sides. You might want to begin with the crate in your bedroom while you start the crate training process, and move it to a more favorable location as the dog becomes comfortable with the idea.

Basic Training

You should begin crate training on your first day with the puppy. Introduce the puppy to the crate. Do not force them in. Place a treat or a toy in the crate and encourage them to find it. Don’t keep them in the crate for a long period of time, and don’t lock them in it right away. You want the crate to feel like a good place to be, so keep their experiences in the crate as positive as possible. Throughout the day, keep up this introduction to the crate, but make sure you are visible at all times when the dog is in the crate.

When bed time comes you want to be sure you have them go to the bathroom before you lure the dog into the crate again. Toss in a toy or a treat and give a command that you must be consistent with. We use the command “crate time.” You might be more comfortable with “bed time” or “crate.” The point is whatever you decide the command should be, you need to use it every time you want the dog to enter the crate. It is also important to praise or reward the dog for doing what you ask.

When the dog is in the crate you should stay nearby. If they start to whimper (and it is very likely they will) you should not let them out of the crate. Instead try to sooth them with your voice, and calm them down. Be sure to take the puppy out for bathroom breaks every couple of hours and praise the dog. Coax the dog back into the crate and give the command again. Reward the dog when they get in the crate. Keep this process up throughout the night.

When morning time comes, be sure to praise and reward your puppy. You should continue to encourage them to enter the crate throughout the day. Continue this process until you can give the command and they enter the crate without being lured inside. Always reward positive behavior with praise.

As They Age

As puppies get older they should be able to hold their bladders for longer, meaning you can go longer between potty breaks. Remember to enlarge the crate as they grow so that it is always a comfortable size.

Once they are comfortable with the crate system, you can slowly move the crate out of your bedroom and where you would really like it to be. Start by moving it right outside of your bedroom door. Keep the door open so they can still hear and smell you. If they do well, after a week or two you can move them down the hall. Continue this process until the crate is in the location you want it to be.

Troubleshooting: these are some of the problems you may encounter while crate training:

The Puppy Doesn't Want To Go Into the Crate

If this happens as a new puppy you need to think of the trauma your dog has just gone through. They just left their litter mates and mom. They are probably lonely. You should ask the breeder before you pick up your puppy if you can give them the blanket that you will put in the crate. Let the other puppies play/sleep on it so that it has a familiar smell. This will help it be more comfortable for your puppy. If you adopt a dog from the shelter, you can try sleeping with the blanket for a couple of days before you get the puppy. This way it smells like you, and that is comforting too.

The Puppy is Crying and I Can't Sleep

A puppy is very similar to a baby. You need to remember that they are scared and unfamiliar with the environment. Remember to stay calm and positive around the dog. If you scream and yell, they are not going to behave and the crying will get worse. You should also ask yourself if they are crying for a reason. Maybe they need to go outside, or they are hungry or thirsty. Take care of their needs, and they should calm down. If there are two of you, you can also try switching nights of responsibility for the dog. If you are consistent, this should stop after a few nights.

The Puppy is Eliminating (Peeing) in the Crate

This shouldn’t happen. Dogs are very clean animals and they won’t go to the bathroom in their crate unless they don’t have an option. There are two likely causes for this. One, the crate is too big. If the crate is too big they will have the extra space to eliminate. Make the crate smaller (if that is an option) or you will need to purchase a smaller crate until they grow. The second cause is that you are keeping them in the crate for too long at a time. Remember, puppies have small bladders and need to be let out frequently. A rule of thumb is every 2 hours from 6 to 10 weeks, and every 3 to 4 hours for puppies 10 to 14 weeks.

Avoid These Pitfalls for Easier Training:

Never Take The Puppy Out of the Crate in the Night and Invite Them Into Your Bed!

This may quiet them up so you can sleep but there are many dangers involved. You could accidentally roll over and hurt them. They could have an accident in your bed. They could fall out of the bed and get hurt. However the worst reason to do this is because they will get used to sleeping with you. Any person that has ever allowed a baby to sleep in your bed with you knows that it is really challenging to get them to sleep out of your bed and in their own. If you do this you may never be able to get them crate trained.

Don't Rush the Training!

As humans we are always in a hurry, and have very little patience. That is just the opposite of a dog. They move at their own pace, and are not in a rush to do anything they don’t want to do. Stay calm. If you force the dog in the crate, or yell at him when he is in there you are damaging your dog. The memory of a dog is fascinating. They will forget that they did something wrong within minutes, but will remember any anger or mistreating for years. Give them time and positive encouragement. They will get there eventually, and it will happen much faster if you don’t lose your temper.

Never Use the Crate for Punishment!

The dog should want to go in the crate. It should become their own personal retreat. If you force them inside the crate because of a wrong doing, they will become less likely to go in on their own. This could become so damaging to the dog, that they will only see the crate as a cage for punishment, and could eventually become hostile to being crated.