Training your puppy or dog to enjoy a crate has many benefits for both you and your dog.  The crate serves as a safe haven for the dog – it’s his personal space where he can relax and feel secure.  The crate can ease any anxiety your dog may feel during travel, boarding or overnight veterinary hospital stays.  It can be refuge from exuberant children. And it is the best training tool for housetraining puppies and new dogs and is THE safe place for managing a chewing, curious or rambunctious puppies/dogs when you can’t supervise them.

To maximize the benefits of crate training, you must help your puppy/dog form a positive association with it, preferably right from the start. 

Teaching your puppy or dog that the crate is “home”  
  • With the crate door hooked open, toss a few good treats in the crate and allow your puppy/dog to go in and find them and then exit freely.  After doing this a few times, say “(Dog’s name), Crate! Or Kennel!” just before you toss the treat in.  When your dog is going in reliably, close the door ever so briefly as he’s turning around, then let him out.  Do not latch the door at this stage.
  • When you know your dog is tired, such as after a good play period, romp or walk, place a really yummy treat – such as a Kongä or long hollow bone stuffed with good quality canned food or other sticky, tasty chew item – in the crate as you say “Crate!”  Lock the crate door and allow your dog to rest and enjoy the treat while you occupy yourself in the same room.  Start with brief periods – 5 to 10 minutes – at first and gradually lengthen the time he’s in the crate, mixing in short times with longer ones.  If your dog falls asleep, it’s fine to wait until he wakes to let him out.  Crate him for varying lengths of time while you’re home, watching TV, doing housework, working on the computer, etc.  That way your dog will not only associate the crate with your leaving or being gone!
  • You may also feed your puppy/dog in the crate with the door hooked open, or closed if he’s comfortable, to help build a positive association.  As you put the food down, say the dog’s name and “Crate!” or “Kennel!”
  • Hide bits of food and/or your dog’s toys in the crate when he’s not looking so he learns to go in and check for good things periodically.  Allow him to exit freely.
  • Important!: Make sure your dog’s bladder and bowels are empty when you put him in the crate for any extended period of time. 
  • As long as you’re sure he doesn’t “have to go”, do not let your dog out of the crate when he’s crying or whining; wait until he’s quiet.  Remember, dogs do “what works” for dogs, and if you let him out when he barks or whines (for reasons other than needing a bathroom break), he will continue to use this strategy!
  • If your puppy is having trouble settling down in the crate, try placing a towel over the front and sides to calm him.  This is also a great way to tell your puppy it’s “lights out” time at night.
  • You will have little trouble housetraining (see “Housetraining” handout) and preventing inappropriate chewing as long as your puppy is in the crate when you can’t supervise.  Once he’s 6 to 10 months (or, for a new mature dog, has settled into your home), allow more house privileges and uncrated unsupervised time.  If inappropriate chewing or housetraining accidents occur, go back to keeping your dog crated whenever you can’t supervise.

By helping your dog form a positive association with the crate right from the start, your dog will have his own “personal space” to relax in for life.

HAPPY TRAINING!
 Choose a crate that is large enough for your  puppy/dog to stand up, turn around and lie  down in with outstretched legs, but not so  large that he can designate a “living area”  and“bathroom area”. For young pups who will  of course grow larger, you may buy a crate to  fit his adult size and block off half or more of it  with solid plywood or sturdy cardboard (as long  as he doesn’t chew it). An open wire style  crate is a good choice, as it allows air to  circulate freely and gives your dog a good view  of things.

  • Place the crate in an active area of your home, such as family room or kitchen, so your puppy or dog doesn’t feel isolated.  Feel free to place a crate in your bedroom at night if that’s where you wish your dog to sleep.  He’ll feel secure, and you’ll be able to hear him if he needs to go out.
 
  • It’s fine to put soft, washable bedding in the crate as long as your puppy doesn’t chew it up.  The best way to insure he doesn’t chew his bed is to provide him with lots of safe, acceptable  chew items – Kongä toys, Nylabonesä, large knuckle bones (supervise at first to make sure he chews them safely), etc.