Crate Training Guide for Puppies + Dogs

Crate training teaches your dog that the crate is a safe space for them. It is a place they can go to relax, rest, calm down or even when they’re scared.

The best way to introduce the crate to your dog is by using positive rewards (like treats, treat-stuffed toys, affection) and keeping the duration short. The more fearful your dog is of the crate, the slower you’ll need to go. A younger puppy (under 16 weeks) can be pushed a little more initially but always work the dog you have in front of you.

Introducing the Crate

1. Setup the crate and encourage your dog to check it out. Just let them sniff it at their leisure.
2. If your dog is already fearful/anxious, give them a treat any time they get sniff the crate, then take a break and come back to step 2!
3. Toss treats into the crate. Praise them if they go into the crate to eat them. Repeat a few times. Take a break. Repeat a few times.

Introducing the Crate Door

1. Toss treats into the crate. Praise them if they go into the crate to eat them. Repeat 2-3x.
2. Close the door—without locking it—and open it, giving them a treat. Leave it closed for 1 second, then 5 seconds, and so forth as long as they are comfortable.
3. If dog remains neutral to happy, close the door, lock it and then open slowly after 15-30 seconds. Give treat and let them leave. Repeat this 2-3x.

Starting to Crate

1. Toss treats into the crate. Praise them if they go into the crate to eat them.
2. Give them their meal OR a treat-stuffed toy/chew, then close crate door and lock.
3. Quietly walk away and out of their view.
4. Give your dog a couple of minutes to settle (they may whine or bark initially!). If they seem to settle down, leave them in the crate for five minutes, then 15 minutes, then 30 minutes and so on.
5. If they whine for more than 15 minutes without any reduction in intensity, come back and wait for them to calm down (or ask them to “sit” or “down”) and then let them out.

Troubleshooting

MY DOG IS FREAKING OUT IN THE CRATE!

You need to go back and work on training more slowly and starting at the beginning with your dog if it is panicking in the crate. It is normal for a dog to cry, whine, and/or bark when initially locked in a crate, but they should settle down without escalating to more panic-like behavior. Signs of panic include:

• Digging
• Scratching at the crate or crate door
• Jumping frantically

Try to distract to reduce intensity for a second before letting them out. We do NOT want to teach the dog that by freaking out, they will be let out. No matter how badly they want out, we need to try to find a second of good behavior to let them out.

MY DOG WON’T STOP WHINING IN THE CRATE!

1. Feed your dog their meals in their crate
   • Can start by feeding dog NEAR the crate
   • Then feed in the crate with door open
   • Then feed in crate with door closed
2. Cover crate with a blanket or purchase crate cover
3. Play calming music or brown noise
4. Try a new location for the crate

MY DOG KEEPS POTTYING IN THE CRATE!

• Check if the crate is too large (see last page about proper sizing!)
• Make sure to take your dog out to potty prior to crating
• Limit water at least 1 hour prior to crating if possible
• Create and stick to a potty schedule, especially for puppies and young adults

How to Choose the Right Crate for Your Puppy / Dog

There are different materials available, depending on your dog’s needs and what your aesthetic preferences are.

Different Types of Crates

PLASTIC — easy to clean, offers more privacy for the dog by creating of a barrier between dog and outside environment; not chew-proof and bulky

WIRE — easy to clean, offers dog more visibility to outside environment, typically can be folded for travel or storage (our top pick for puppies)

INDESTRUCTIBLE — made with thicker, heavy duty metal that make it harder for a dog to escape, break or chew through, not travel-friendly (for your escape artists!)

FURNITURE — crates designed to look more like furniture tend to be more wood-based, so they are less chew-proof and may be harder to clean (best for well-behaved adults!)

Choosing the Size of the Crate

The size of the crate should allow your dog to stand up and turn around comfortably and not much larger than that.

If your dog is not yet fully grown, you may need to purchase two crates OR look for a crate that includes a divider (many wire-type crates include one).