Crate Training a Puppy: Tips for Success

Crate training is a method we use to teach puppies that a crate is a safe place to relax and have some alone time. While it’s natural for people to sometimes still view caging puppies as confinement, it’s actually a very natural way of giving them some personal space. Dogs have evolved from wolf ancestors and while their behaviours have changed drastically through breeding and evolution, many of their instincts remain unchanged. The instinct that crate training taps into is to find a safe place to sleep and rest. When they’re surrounded by barriers, they’ll often feel safe enough to have comfortable and deep sleep. It’s especially useful if you have an anxious pup, they may not have the confidence to sprawl and dream in a wide open room but in their own little shelter, they can dream of all the squirrels they like! 

Many vets and dog trainers alike recommend crate training as a beneficial tool for fostering positive behaviours and ensuring the safety of your dog. When implemented properly, crate training can help address common behavioural issues, reduce stress during travel or vet visits, and facilitate toilet training. Puppies can get into all sorts of mischief so if you want to be sure your furry companion is safe when you can’t watch them like a hawk then a crate is a good idea. Puppies will chew things they shouldn’t and even ingest things when you’re not watching so most vets have very positive views when it comes to puppies and crate training. Your wallet will thank you as well when you don’t have to replace things around the house. 

Crate training is particularly advantageous for puppies, as it helps establish routines and prevents accidents in the home. By creating a designated space for your puppy, you can provide structure and boundaries while fostering independence and confidence. Crate trained puppies will often rest longer and undisturbed when they have a strong association with a crate. Sleep plays a vital role in puppy development so a place where they won’t be disturbed is important for their development. 

Puppies spend a lot of energy on growing as they get older, which is why puppies will sleep from eighteen to twenty two hours of the day in their first few months. Older dogs will need less sleep but once they learn to love their crate, they’ll often choose to take power naps in the security of their own private den. You may often see your pup huddle under a blanket to sleep to get that same safe feeling and crate training is just harnessing this instinct and providing them with a place to snuggle up. It has the added benefit of being a secure place where you can let your puppy rest while you run errands, pop out of the house and get some work done.  

Selecting the appropriate crate size is essential for your canine companion’s comfort and safety. When training a puppy to enjoy time in their crate, it’s important to consider the future. To save yourself extra costs a few months or a year down the line, you should look to get them an appropriate size crate for their expected adult size. It may be a little big for them now but you’ll be shocked at how quickly your fur baby can grow and fill it out. A smaller crate might look big enough for now but could be a tight squeeze and uncomfortable a bit further down the line.  

Your pooch should be able to comfortably stand up, turn around and lie down in their crate without too much extra space. Buying a chihuahua a crate intended for a giant breed dog means they may learn that they can go to the toilet in one corner and sleep in the other so it could undo some of their toilet training. A little extra space to grow into is absolutely fine but bigger isn’t always better in every situation.  

Metal crates are very robust and if you get the right size, they can last their whole life. If you’re going to be moving their safe space around a lot perhaps because you travel regularly or even just want to move it downstairs in the day and take it up at night, you can opt for a soft travel crate instead. A travel kennel like the Cheeko Easy Up Fabric Travel Dog Kennel can be moved and easily collapsed so you can take their personal little bedroom wherever you go and they can even be kept safe while travelling in the car.  

Crate training is a gradual process that requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. By following a step-by-step approach, you can help your puppy develop a positive association with their crate and learn to view it as a safe and comfortable space. You should only progress to the next stage when they’re completely comfortable with the current stage they’re on and if there’s any discomfort or hesitation, spend a little longer on that step before moving on. 

Begin by introducing your puppy to the crate positively and gently. Place the crate in a quiet area of your home where your puppy can see and explore it without feeling overwhelmed. Leave the door open and encourage your puppy to investigate the crate on their terms. 

To make the crate more inviting, place comfortable bedding, toys, and treats inside. You can also scatter some treats around the entrance of the crate to entice your puppy to approach and explore further. Avoid forcing your puppy into the crate or using it as a form of punishment, as this can create negative associations and hinder the training process. 

Once your puppy is comfortable entering the crate voluntarily, begin feeding them their meals inside the crate. Place the food bowl at the back of the crate to encourage your puppy to enter fully. As your puppy eats, praise them and offer verbal encouragement to reinforce positive behaviour. If you feed them every meal from their crate, they will start to associate it with one of the most valuable times of the day for them – meal times.  

Additionally, use treats and praise to reward your puppy for spending time in the crate throughout the day. If you catch them venturing inside for a sniff, try to reward that behaviour and offer an incentive to visit it more often. If they get used to treats appearing inside, they’re going to check it out more often to see if the magical crate has produced any more treats.  

As your puppy grows more accustomed to spending time in the crate, focus on helping them relax and feel comfortable inside. Encourage them to lie down and settle in the crate by offering encouragement and gentle strokes. You can also provide a comforting item such as a piece of your clothing with your scent to help soothe your puppy. You can give them treats for relaxing and continue to drop them in at variable intervals to teach them that the longer they stay in there, the more treats they get.  

If your puppy shows signs of stress or anxiety, such as whining or pacing, take a step back and proceed at a slower pace. Crate training should be a gradual process that respects your puppy's individual needs and comfort level. 

Once your puppy is comfortable spending time in the crate with the door open, begin closing the door for short periods while you remain with them. Start by closing the door for just a few seconds, then increase the duration as your puppy becomes more relaxed and confident. 

While the door is closed, continue to provide verbal praise and reassurance to let your puppy know that they are safe and secure. If they show signs of distress, such as whining or pawing at the door, open it immediately and allow them to exit the crate. The goal is to gradually acclimate your puppy to being confined in the crate without causing too much stress or discomfort. 

As your puppy grows more comfortable with being confined in the crate, you can gradually increase the amount of time they are left alone. Start by leaving them in the crate for short periods, such as during meal times or when you're completing household chores. 

Gradually extend the time they are left in there, always ensuring that your puppy remains calm and relaxed. Avoid leaving your puppy in the crate for extended periods, especially during the initial stages of training. You can help with passing time during those first few periods of you leaving the room by giving them treats that are longer lasting chews. If you leave the room and return within the time they take to finish their treat, they will barely register that you left. Remember to reward positive behaviour, offer plenty of praise and encouragement, and always prioritise your puppy's wellbeing and comfort throughout the training process. Aim to leave them for seconds before you even try for a few minutes to make sure they are happy.  

Think of your puppy’s crate as their bedroom and it will make it a lot easier to know what they need. High energy toys like balls that will encourage them to run around aren’t ideal for such a small space but a comforting toy or two can help them through the settling process. Their crate should be a nice and comfortable space but getting a bed to fit can be a tight squeeze. You can find the perfect size crate mat to make sure they have a nice snuggly surface to curl up on and if you want to provide some extra comfort then you can add blankets and make it even more luxurious.  

Dogs should have constant access to water so if you’re restricting access to their usual water bowl by popping them in their crate, give them a water source inside too. A non-spill bowl is great for their crate or you can even get bowls like the Happy Pet Hook On Pet Bowl that can attach to the crate itself and prevent any accidental spillages. 

During the night, they will need to have all of their basic needs met in their crate and if your pup is still learning to ropes when it comes to toilet training, you can dedicate some space for any emergency accidents. When they’re young, accidents will happen so you can line the base of the crate with puppy pads then they will absorb any mess and make any cleanup in the morning easier on you. You can also make it a little more cave-like in the night to help them settle by covering it with a blanket. You can leave one side open to make sure they can still see you but cover the other sides to limit any light spilling in in the morning and waking them up too early!  

Getting the balance right with where you put your pup’s crate might not seem like it’s one of the most important aspects of crate training but it is a key factor. Location has the power to make or break your training sessions and it can be different for every dog. The goal of crate training is to create a safe environment for your puppy to rest. When done correctly, your pooch will have a long lasting association with sleep and relaxation when it comes to their crate. With this in mind, you shouldn’t put it in a location where they’re going to get disturbed a lot.

High foot traffic areas throughout the house are an instant dealbreaker. Having a crate in a hallway that you often walk up and down between the kitchen and the living room or where guests are coming back and forth will often mean there’s far too much going on for them to rest. On the other side of the coin, putting your puppy’s crate in a back bedroom where nobody ventures past might be a little too quiet and out of the way for them.  

Dogs like the comfort of knowing you’re nearby, so locations like your bedroom or the living room are great resting spaces for your pup. They’re also rooms in which you will probably rest so being able to watch a bit of TV or knowing you’re close by when you’re asleep can help your puppy to settle happily. Every dog is different though and it takes some troubleshooting to get it right. You might have a pup who needs total silence to sleep or gets disturbed quite easily by common household noises so it’s all about finding what works best for you. An area away from direct sunlight, draughts and noise like the washing machine is your best bet when it comes to making sure it’s a pleasant place to be.  

The duration of crate training varies depending on your puppy's age, temperament, and previous experiences. While some puppies may adapt quickly to crate training within a few days, others may require several weeks of consistent training and reinforcement. If your pup spent time crated when they were still with their litter and mum then they often transition very smoothly to sleeping in one but it’s it’s a brand new experience, and it can take a little more practice.  

Be consistent and avoid rushing the process. Remember that you’re trying to build a positive, lifelong association and this can take time, it can even mean going back a step if they’re not entirely comfortable but creating a good and lasting relationship with their resting area is vital when it comes to crate training.  

If your puppy cries or whines in the crate, it's essential to address their needs while reinforcing positive crate associations. Your fur baby crying in their crate is a good indication that you might have sped through their training a little too quickly and moved forward a step when they’re not quite ready. In this instance, it’s best to take it back to the last step they were comfortable with and spend more time building up to the next step.

One of the most common hurdles is the process of closing the crate door and leaving them alone so it’s normal to have to revisit spending time with the door open to remind them that it’s a good place. One negative experience in their crate can easily set them back so you have to work to make sure they are having a good time in their den. Leaving them in their crate and letting them cry will only cause them to develop negative associations with it so don’t be scared to go back a little to help your fur baby enjoy their time more.

While crate training is a popular option for many dog owners, it may not be suitable for every dog or situation. Alternatives to crate rest include using baby gates to confine your dog to a designated area, utilising indoor playpens or exercise pens, or providing a comfortable dog bed in a quiet room with a baby gate to allow them to still be able to see and hear you. 

Whatever you have to offer you can make work with the right equipment and sometimes a little bit of creativity. The purpose of a crate is to give your pup a safe area to rest that promotes settling to keep them out of mischief. If you have a spare room then you can create their very own bedroom and a door can act as a boundary to keep them inside. You can keep toys, various beds, enrichment and anything they might need in one space to spoil them for choice. Some breeds like those bred for colder climates might appreciate an outdoor kennel to snooze in so they can keep cool. You can also use puppy pens like the Cheeko Easy Up Play Pen Large to give them a comfortable place to rest.  

Crate training is a valuable tool for both puppies and their owners, providing numerous benefits such as promoting safety, comfort, and positive behaviour. By following a gradual and positive approach, you can help your puppy develop a strong and positive association with their crate, ensuring that it becomes a safe and comforting space for them to rest and relax.  

Remember to be patient, consistent, and understanding throughout the training process, respecting your puppy's individual needs and comfort level. With time, dedication, and plenty of positive reinforcement, crate training can lay the foundation for a lifetime of love with their own private resting space. So, embrace the journey of crate training with your puppy, and enjoy the rewards of a well-behaved and content canine companion as they grow. For all of your crate training needs and to give your pooch a luxurious space for their alone time, visit us in store and online.