Want to know how to crate train a puppy? Start by making the crate the best spot in the house. Then add time in small steps, on a set schedule, so your puppy learns to rest there on their own.
I have trained dogs for about 18 years. Here in Salt Lake City, I see the same thing over and over. The puppies who love their crate are not the lucky ones. Their owners just followed a simple plan. Here is mine.
A crate is not a jail. For a puppy, it is a bedroom. It gives them a safe place to rest when life gets busy.
Put the crate where the family hangs out, like the living room. Add a soft bed or towel. Leave the door open.
Now make good things happen there. Toss a treat inside. Feed meals in the crate. Hide a chew toy in the back. Let your puppy go in and out on their own. Don’t push them in.
At our school, we build training on play and connection. The crate works the same way. If the crate means fun and food, your puppy will want to be there.
Once your puppy walks in with no fuss, close the door for a few seconds while they eat or chew. Open it before they get upset.
Next, try one minute. Then five. Then sit nearby and read while they rest. Then leave the room for a short time. Go slow. If your puppy panics, you went too fast. Take a step back. Be sure to remove any bedding or toys your dog can destroy before leaving your pup unsupervised in the crate for safety.
Puppies do best when every day looks about the same. A simple rule: a puppy can hold it about one hour for each month of age during the day. A 2 month old puppy can go about 2 hours. Some need a break sooner.
Here is a sample day for a young puppy:
Always take your puppy out to potty right after a nap. Crate time should never be longer than your puppy can hold it. Accidents in the crate can undo a lot of good work. For more on this, read my post on puppy potty training mistakes.
Many puppies don’t know how to calm down. They go and go until they crash. The crate helps build impulse control. That means your puppy learns to wait and relax, even when they want to go do something fun.
Before you open the door, wait for a calm moment. Four paws on the floor. No barking. Then open it. Your puppy learns that calm is what gets the door to open.
Most puppies get comfy in the crate within a few days to a few weeks. It depends on the puppy’s age, their past, and how steady you are. Every day you stick to the plan makes the next day easier.
We are a school, not a boot camp. We show you and your puppy how to work as a team, with play, connection, and impulse control. Crate habits, potty training, and good manners are all part of our puppy training program.
We also stand behind our work with the Dependable Dog Guarantee: “All pups who train with us will reach their goal or we will add additional sessions FREE until the pup is finished.”
New to all this? Check out our guide to your first 30 days with a new puppy. When you are ready, book a free training session or call us at 801-516-4012.
Many puppies relax more with a light cover over the top and sides or the front. Leave the front open or the sides so air can flow. If your puppy chews the cover, take it off.
Your puppy should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down. If the crate is too big, they may potty in one corner. Many crates come with a divider so the space can grow with your puppy.
For short naps, most puppies don’t need it. For longer stays, ask your trainer what is right for your puppy.
Some crying is normal in the first nights. Keep the crate near your bed, stay calm, and stick with the plan. For more help, read what to do when your puppy cries in the crate at night.
Dog Training Matchmaker Quiz
What type of training does your dog really need?