Having trouble crate training your pup? In this post I’m going to go over some tips to help you successfully crate train your dog. These tips will help you to build a good relationship between your dog and their crate. I’ve already written a post on how crating your pup can be beneficial, if you’re still questioning whether you should crate your dog or not. If you haven’t already checked that out, you absolutely should. Now lets get into how to accomplish this!

Introducing Your Dog To Their Crate

The earlier you start getting your dog acquainted with their crate, the better. It’s never too soon to start crate training. When first starting out, you’ll want to place the crate in a common area, such as the living room. Somewhere the dog will be able to have access to it while still being around you. To begin, you can put their bed inside it which will encourage them to go in freely after a playtime or walk.  *You want to make sure their bed is only in there when they can freely go in and out. Or if you can keep an eye on them. I will explain why this is important later in the post.*

The easiest way to introduce your dog to their crate is to start feeding them inside it. When it’s meal time, put the bowl of food in the crate with your dog.  Start by leaving the door open for the first few times. Once your dog is comfortable in it, you can close the door as they eat. You can then start to work on duration inside. After your dog is ok eating with the door closed, have them hang out inside the crate after they finish their meal. This can be around 10 minutes or so after they’re finished eating. As they get comfortable with this, start to increase the time. 

Choosing The Right Size Crate

This can be a confusing task for some. If you have a large breed puppy, your first instinct may be to buy a large crate for them to grow into. This is a mistake that is commonly made when first starting out. You want to get a crate that your puppy/dog fits into at the time that you’re starting. If you do get a larger crate, make sure it comes with a crate divider. This ensures a snug fit and that your pup doesn’t have too much room to roam around. With a crate divider you can easily change the size of the crate as your pup grows.

I’ve included a link to a size guide to help you give you an idea of how big or small your crate should be. This also shows you some different types of crates as well. There are a variety of crates you can choose from other than your standard metal crate.

Making Sure Your Pup Is Tired

I know I’ve said it so many times, but a tired dog really is a happy dog. Making sure your pup is well exercised before putting them into their crate is a key component to successful crate training. It shows them that the crate is the perfect place to rest and relax. As it says in the size guide listed above “your dogs crate is their den of zen.” I suggest a long walk or some play time before having them go in. This way when they are left alone in there, they’re more likely to nap and rest, rather than be anxious. Even a quick enrichment game will help get out any extra energy.

Having the crate in a common area can be a great way to get your dog comfortable in it. Giving your dog little breaks in the crate, after playing or walking will help to build a good relationship with it. Showing them that the crate is a place to relax and unwind. Once they see the crate as a place to sleep, they’ll start to go in on their own when they need a break. I always tell people to think of your dogs’ crate as their own little bedroom. 

Crating At Night

Another great way to build up the time your dog is in the crate is to put them in overnight. Again you’ll want to ensure you’re getting out any extra built up energy first. The crate can be in another room or the bedroom with you if you’d like. Since your pup will already be sleeping, it’s a great way to help them build a comfortable relationship with their crate. They’ll start to see it as a place to wind down and take a break. This also helps when housebreaking your dog as well. Your dog is less likely to have an accident if they are crated.

Training The Command

Ideally you want your dog to go into their crate willingly. A good way to do this is to throw a treat into the crate and have your dog retrieve it. After a few times of them doing this, start to add the command in with it. For example you’ll throw the treat in and say “kennel” or “crate” or “inside.” Whichever command you choose to use. This will show the dog that when they hear the command they are to go into the crate. Then reward and praise once they are in. 

Once you have the command down, practice closing the door while they’re in there. You can then have them sit or lie down. Combining commands together will teach your pup what they should be doing once inside the crate.

The Importance Of Crating While You’re Still Home

Once you’ve had the crate in a common are of your home and your pup has started getting used to being in and out of it, you want to start working on out of sight duration. By this I mean having your dog go in their crate for small increments of time in a place where you’re out of view. This will help them get comfortable being in there alone, which will help ease the transition to you actually leaving your home. This is also a great way to monitor how your dog reacts while in their crate. Practicing while you’re still around will help you get a better idea of how your dog is doing in the crate when you’re not in sight. For some it may take some time for them to be completely comfortable in the crate alone and that’s absolutely ok. Practice and patience is key!

In the beginning I mentioned having the crate somewhere like the living room when you’re first starting out and introducing your dog to it. However, when you’re working on out of sight duration you want to do it in an area that you aren’t going to be visible to your dog. Having your dog go in their crate periodically throughout the day even while you’re home is extremely beneficial. This creates  a boundary between you and your pup. It will also ease any separation anxiety.

Crating While Out Of The House

You want to make sure that your dog is ok being in the crate alone while you’re home before you leave them in the crate while you’re away. If your dog is calm in the crate while you’re still home you can start to work on leaving your house for small increments of time. 

In my previous post on separation anxiety, I give some tips for leaving your dog alone. Basically you’ll want to start off small. This can even just be you outside mowing the lawn or going for a quick walk around the block. Then as your dog gets used to you being out of the house, you can increase the time little by little. 

Using Enrichment Toys

If your dog is struggling with extended time in the crate, you can use enrichment toys to help distract them while they’re in there. Such as a suction cup lickmat or crate attachment. When frozen, these toys can take a decent amount of time to go through. This not only helps keep the dog in the crate longer, it also helps to get out some nervous energy as well while they’re in there. 

I suggest if you’re using an enrichment toy, do so while you’re still near your pup. You can leave them alone with it in while you’re in another room if you’d like. However, be mindful of the time it takes them to go through it. Just in case they decide to chew it afterwards. I wouldn’t leave your pup alone with it when you leave the house. This should be used just during training, while you’re still around your dog to avoid any incidents. 

Limit What Is Inside The Crate

As with most dog owners, I know it’s always my first instinct to try to make my dogs crate as comfortable as possible. In due time you can, just not right away. When you add too many things in the crate with your dog in the beginning, you may run into some issues. If you’re training a puppy or even an older dog, they may have accidents at first. If you have things in the crate with them then it leaves the potential for a bigger mess. 

Leaving things in the crate, even something as simple as a towel, can lead to unwanted chewing. Which can also lead to an emergency situation while you’re away. I suggest starting out with an empty crate for the first few times leaving them alone. See how they do, and then gradually building up what you put in there slowly. Starting with something like a towel or blanket. If your dog is ok with these after a decent amount of time being left alone, then you can add in a bed or a durable crate mat. Use your discretion, if your dog isn’t having accidents in the crate, and doesn’t seem to be chewing things other then their toys, it may be ok to add something in. Start small, and remove if chewing does occur.

Crate Covers And Noise Blockers

Now these aren’t necessary, however crate covers can add a nice calming effect to the crate, it creates a sound barrier so the dog isn’t easily startled. It also blocks out some of the light which helps especially if you’re leaving them inside the crate overnight. You can buy crate covers that are made specifically for your crate, or you can cover with a towel or blanket. If you choose to use something other than an actual crate cover though, you want to make sure it is secure and there aren’t any edges the dog can grab onto. 

If your pup is noise reactive, you can have a sound machine by the crate to help block out some of the noise. Even a radio or TV can help as well. Again this isn’t necessary to have, but it can help for dogs who are light sleepers. 

Avoid Using The Crate For Punishment

In order to continue to build a positive relationship with the crate, you want to avoid using the crate for punishment. Try not to put the dog in their crate after they’ve done something they shouldn’t have. Such as peeing on the carpet or chewing something. This can confuse your pup and send mixed signals. They may resist going in the crate if you do this. We’re aiming for a positive relationship with their crate. You want them to view it as a safe space, not a punishment.

I hope these tips help! Crating your dog can be truly helpful for a variety of reasons. Your dog will be very grateful to have a safe space to go to! Be sure to check out my blog post on why crates can be beneficial!