The Basics of Crate Training A Puppy

Crate training a puppy is a must!

Crate training provides your puppy with a safe place to den and sleep, helps with housebreaking, keeps your puppy out of trouble, reduces separation anxiety, plus has many more benefits for both you and your puppy.

If your pup is being brought home for the first time, your crate should already be in place and ready for crate training your puppy.

Depending on your dog’s age and past history, your puppy should be able to adapt to a crate easily and will soon learn that his kennel crate is simply a part of life.

If you follow these simple rules and suggestions for crate training a puppy it should take no more than few days for your puppy to accept its new crate.

Positive Crate Training & Your Puppy

The first goal of crate training a puppy is to introduce the kennel crate in a positive manner.

Dogs are naturally reluctant to soil where they sleep so crate training a puppy early can also help with housebreaking your puppy.

Dogs are den animals and in the end you want the crate to act like your puppy’s den; a safe place, a place of refuge, therefore the crate should never be used as a form of punishment.

Some dog owners use the crate as punishment or for dog behavior modification. This rarely works as the timing is usually off and therefore fails to teach the puppy right from wrong; instead the puppy learns to fear and resent the crate.

Be patient when crate training a puppy; train today and train positively, for what you expect tomorrow and your puppy will be happy to run to the crate whenever you ask.

Collars, Toys & Food When Crate Training a Puppy

I do not like using collars when crate training a puppy and recommend removing your puppy’s collar before crating. A kennel crate is a place of confinement and dog collars may be unsafe for your pup.

Any positive association with the crate will expedite the puppy’s acceptance when crate training. Putting inedible toys in your puppy’s crate is okay but the puppy toys MUST be ones that cannot be chewed and swallowed. Nylabones® and Kong’s® chew toys are nice choices.

If you want to put a dog bed in the crate, I recommend giving the pup one chance. If the pup chews the dog bed, out it comes. I am also a big fan of feeding my pups in the crate however I do not leave water or uneaten food in the crate.

Where to Place Your Puppy Crate

Crate training older dogs can take a lot longer as old habits die hard, however crate training a puppy should be a lot easier.

The dog crate should be located in a place in the home where you spend most of your time. The bedroom is not always the best choice if you want to avoid the pup getting up every time you toss and turn or you waking up to an unnerving bark at three in the morning when you are fast asleep.

You might think about a second crate especially if your home has more than one level.

Be Patient When Crate Train A Puppy

The golden rule is, when the pup cannot be supervised put it in the crate. Remember, when you leave the house you must feel comfortable knowing your puppy cannot get into any trouble.

Here are some general guidelines for crate training a puppy:

Start crate training a puppy by putting the pup in and out of the crate several times a day for different lengths of time.
Play with the pup in front of the crate with the door open.
Allow the pup to freely enter and exit the crate several times.
You can toss treats into the crate but not too much.
Use chew toys and a lot of enthusiastic praise every time he goes in and out of the crate.
At some point you will need to close the crate door with your puppy inside
In the beginning, open the crate door after a short amount of time but NEVER when the pup is barking.
When you feel confident your puppy has accepted his new crate, it is time to close the crate door and for you to leave the house; be sure to leave with no fanfare or good byes, just leave.
Hang out outside and monitor your puppy in the crate.
If the pup starts barking, leave him be.
Enter only when the pup settles down.
Apply these same rules at night.

Only go get the puppy from his crate if the puppy starts up in the middle of the night, he most likely has to go out. Remember - don’t rescue your puppy if he starts barking from the start as that will only reinforce his barking behavior.

About DP Dog Training

This article on crate training a puppy is by Frank D’Andrea, a professional dog trainer offering dog training programs in New Jersey and New York including Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Hudson and Essex.

The dog training philosophy held by DP Dog Training involves three phases; the Learning Phase, the Correction Phase and the Proofing Phase.

DP Dog training programs include Dog Ownership 101, Positive Puppy Training, Basic Dog Obedience, Advanced Dog Obedience, E-Collar Training, Behavior Evaluation & Rehabilitation and Housebreaking consultations.

Other puppy training programs include:

If you would like more information Contact Us or for help with crate training a puppy please Email DP Dog Training or call DP Dog Training at 845-368-0868.