Crate Train in Four Easy Steps

Crate training keeps your dog safe, keeps your home from being destroyed, and gives you peace of mind during the potty training stages. But how do you do it? Well . . . 

Step One: Start Positive

If your puppy or dog thinks the only time they go in the crate is when you’re about to leave them for an indeterminate amount of time, then of course they’re going to fight with you about it. Start off with feeding them their meals in the crate. Breakfast and dinner goes into the crate. If they won’t go in, that’s fine, just pick up the food and try again at the next meal time. 

You want to associate the crate with positive things. Every time your dog goes into the crate, give them an amazing treat that they only ever get when they’re in there. Maybe it’s a particularly delectable training treat that you never use at any other time. Maybe it’s a special kong kone filled with frozen peanut butter or whipped cream, or a toy that they only get to play with in the crate. Make the crate a good place, somewhere that it’s fun for them to be. 

Step Two: Increase Duration

At the beginning of crate training, don’t even close the door on your dog when they go in to eat their dinner or get their treat. Have them go in, do their thing, and then be able to leave when they want.

As they get more and more comfortable with that, start closing the door behind them while they eat. As soon as they’re finished, let them out. As time goes on and they become more and more comfortable, you’ll leave them in the crate for longer and longer periods of time. Start with just a minute, then two, then five. Set your dog up for success as much as possible. If you put them in the crate on day one for twelve hours, you’re going to create a negative association, build up to it. 

Step Three: Leave the Room

As the length of time in their crate increases, feel free to start leaving them in their crate while you do other things. Maybe you need to get the dishes done or take your kids to school. Maybe you just want to sit on the couch and watch your favorite show in peace for two minutes. All of that is okay! There is nothing wrong with needing a break from your pup. As long as your dog is getting adequate physical and mental exercise, then letting them rest in the kennel for a while will help you both. 

Crate time can help prevent separation anxiety from occurring and helps your dog understand that it’s not the end of the world if they’re alone. Give yourself and your dog room to breathe. Giving them a small amount of crate time every day even when you’re home also helps them understand that the crate doesn’t always mean you’re going away, sometimes it’s just because they need a nap. 

Step Four: Let Them Out When They’re Calm

This is really a co-occuring step with steps 1-3. Never let your dog out of the crate if they are whining or barking. Wait until they’re quiet, even if it’s just a second or two of silence at the beginning. We want them to know that whining will never get them what they want. 

But what if they need something? It’s your job to know what they need and when, so they don’t have to do annoying things to try and get your attention. If you’re potty training your puppy and they can’t hold their bladder all night, set an alarm to wake you up when you know the dog is going to need to be let out, and take them out before your dog feels the need to wake you themself. Have them on a feeding schedule so you’re aware of when they need to relieve themselves and when they don’t. 

If your dog is sick, the rules might change a little, but even still if your dog whines to alert you that something is wrong, make sure they’re quiet and calm before letting them out of their kennel. 

You’re never “rescuing” them from the kennel. Don’t act like it’s a big deal, don’t act like they’ve been in prison. Let them out, give them a pat, and then go on with your day. The crate is just a normal part of their routine just like eating, drinking, or going outside. 

Kennel training your dog is a huge boon to both your own mental health and to your dog’s. It gives them permission to relax and settle in, while also giving you the peace of mind knowing that your dog is safe and can’t hurt themselves or anything else. 

Following these steps does not mean that you can’t leave your dog in the kennel overnight when you first bring them home, or that you can’t leave them in the kennel for an hour or two while you run some errands. But practicing these steps over time in conjunction with those moments of solitude will help your dog remember that you won’t be gone forever, and that you will eventually come back. It will also reassure them that every time they go in the crate won’t be for forever.