How to crate train your puppy
What you’ll need:
Crate (size information below)
Blankets
Puppy-proof gates/playpen
High-value treats
Long-lasting chews/stuff-able Kong
Crate training is one of the most foundational skills you can teach your new puppy, as it provides them with a safe, comfortable den of their own while also teaching them how to be calm and content when alone. It's a key part of setting up your puppy for success in their new home.
Crate training will teach your dog a myriad of other skills, including:
How to settle
How to be alone for periods of time
How to travel in the car safely and calmly (if you are able to fit a crate in your car)
Threshold manners (i.e. not bolting out of doors as soon as they are opened)
Crucially, it will provide them with a dedicated space to settle safely and calmly, away from the busy areas of the home.
1. Selecting a crate
In preparation for bringing your puppy home, you will want to purchase and set up their crate. This crate is unlikely to be the one they have for their entire life, as you are unlikely to know exactly how much your dog will grow. Consider finding a second-hand option on platforms like eBay, Vinted or Facebook Marketplace.
Your puppy will be surprisingly tiny when you first get them, but they will still need enough room in their crate to comfortably stand, turn, lie down and stretch out. It should not be so big, however, that they can designate a specific corner for urination or defecation, as this will make housetraining more difficult.
2. Preparing their crate
While you and your puppy progress through crate training, and before they spend the full night in their crate, set up a playpen to give your puppy a contained space to move around in with a puppy pad and their open crate. If you’re able to set up a playpen in your bedroom, they’ll likely be soothed by the smell of you being close and it will be easier for you to hear them if they need soothing or a toilet trip.
As your puppy gets used to sleeping in their crate for a full night, gradually move it out of your bedroom to its final location which should be a quiet space in your home, ideally away from the general hustle and bustle like a walkway or a busy kitchen area.
To promote a quiet, relaxing space for your puppy, cover the crate on three sides with something soft like a blanket or mat to make it more den-like and leave the doorway uncovered. Inside it, place a soft blanket, mat, or bed.
3. Introducing them to their crate
Their crate should be a quiet, comfortable and enticing space. It will likely take a bit of getting used to, so you will need to be patient—as with all dog training, you will need to go at their pace, not yours. The crate should never be used for punishment and a puppy should never be forced inside.
To start, leave the crate door fastened open so your puppy can explore it at their own pace. Toss in some high-value treats near the crate entrance and just inside and let them seek them out. Puppies explore the world with their noses so this will provide them with feel-good enrichment and positive association with the crate.
As they get more comfortable, toss the treats further and further inside until they are happily walking all the way in.
Keep these initial introduction sessions short—just a few repetitions at a time, multiple times a day is ideal.
4. Combining crate and mealtimes
Once your puppy is comfortable going all the way inside, start feeding them in the crate to build further positive association. Place their food bowl at the back of the crate. Progression from here would be to gently close the door while they are eating and open it again as soon as they have finished.
With every meal, you can increase the amount of time the door is closed after they have finished eating, starting from a few seconds and building slowly to a few minutes. If at any point your puppy seems nervous or hesitant, you can go back a few steps and slow down your progression.
5. Introduce the cue
Once they are comfortable eating in their crate, you can introduce a cue word. Say “crate”, toss a treat inside and when they go in, close the door for a moment before opening it again.
Gradually increase the time with the door closed, staying nearby for the duration. You could give them a longer-lasting chew or a stuffed Kong to make the experience more enjoyable for them and keep them occupied.
6. Going solo
Once they are happy for a few minutes in the crate with the door shut, you can try leaving the room for a short period. Start by going out of sight for a couple of seconds before returning with enthusiastic praise and a treat if they have stayed quiet and calm. If they haven't, go back a few steps and work your way up again.
Build up from here, but do not leave them for too long. Puppies have limited bladder control, so give them frequent toilet breaks. A useful rule of thumb is to crate your puppy for a maximum of one hour for every month of their age. For example, a three-month-old puppy could be crated for a maximum of three hours overnight before they will need a toilet trip.
7. Distinguish between crying and whining
Unless you suspect that they need the toilet, in which case you should let them out immediately, avoid letting them out of their crate if they whine or bark, as this will reinforce that behavior. Whining is a repetitive sound seeking attention. Wait for a moment of quiet before letting them out.
On the other hand, do not leave them in their crate if they are crying, as this can be traumatic and lead to separation anxiety down the line. Crying is typically louder and more urgent than the sound of whining.
Crate training is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and a positive mindset. By following these steps, you will help your puppy learn to feel safe and secure in their own space, which in turn will give you peace of mind and lead to a more harmonious home life. The time you invest now will pay off with a well-adjusted and confident dog.
Check out our other blogs in our puppy training series:
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