Best Way To Crate Train A Puppy: 7 Tips and Tricks

How long did it take for your new puppy to completely take over your home? Probably only a few minutes after they bounded in the front door.

While welcoming a new puppy to your home can bring heaps of joy, it’s also important to provide a safe space and create a structured routine early on. That’s where crate training comes in. Along with potty training, one of the most important parts of introducing a new dog or puppy into its new forever home is getting them comfortable in their home-within-the-home—their crate. 

But whether you’re a lifelong dog owner or have just adopted your first canine friend, it can help to have some advice on how to make this process go smoothly. For new and experienced dog owners alike, we’re here with some crate training tips for puppies how to crate train a puppy.

The Benefits of Crate Training

Some dog owners may balk at the idea of crate training a puppy. But don’t worry—introducing a crate into your dog’s routine doesn’t make you the warden of a puppy prison. According to the American Kennel Club, most veterinarians recommend crate training for dogs of all ages. 

The reasons to crate train a puppy include:

• Housebreaking – If you’re the proud owner of a puppy, you’ll need to be able to answer “how long does it take to potty train a dog?” Puppy crate training can teach your pup them to communicate when they need to go outside for a potty break and learn healthy habits. 
• A safe space – Just like their ancestors, dogs have a natural instinct to create dens. Metal or plastic crates can make perfect refuges, and if trained to experience the crate positively, your dog might someday seek out its crate in times of high anxiety (think thunderstorms, noisy holiday guests, or dog separation anxiety because they’re not used to you being away). At first, you might crate your puppy to teach them healthy habits. If you've crate trained your puppy well and let them know that's a safe space for them, you'll find them trotting off to their crate for a nap without you saying a word.
• Transportation – Getting your dog used to a crate when they’re young can make it easier to transport them in a crate when they’re older, whether you’re headed to the veterinarian. Being able to safely transport your adult dog in a crate can also help you to be prepared in case of an emergency. 

#1 Get the Right Size Crate

The most important part of crate training starts before you even introduce your puppy to their new home. This means choosing a crate that’s the right size for your puppy. 

The crate should be big enough that they can stand or circle around while inside.—basically, movements that show that your pup is trying to get comfortable. However, If you’re thinking that a bigger crate means more comfort for your puppy, think again. Having a crate that’s too big might deter your pup’s housebreaking training. Basically, if there’s a free corner in your puppy’s spacious crate, there’s a chance they’re going to pee there. 

It’s best not to buy a crate that you’re expecting your puppy to “grow into.” Instead, consider getting a bigger one as your dog grows (or borrowing a puppy-sized crate from a friend or neighbor).

#2 Furnish Your Puppy’s Crate for Comfort

You wouldn’t want to live in your home without any furniture—and in the same way, you can’t expect your puppy to enjoy their crate if you don’t make it as comfortable as possible. A few simple additions can help to make your puppy’s crate a comfort zone:

• A dog bed or blanket – A dog bed is an easy way to turn a crate into a cozy and welcoming environment. However, you may want to opt for something more expendable—and washable—if your puppy is still teething and being potty-trained. A soft towel or blanket can add some cushioning while making it easy for you to clean up any messes (and avoid repeated trips to the pet store). In addition, your pup will be able to easily push it aside if they become too warm.
• Toys – A toy or two can help to provide enrichment for your puppy while they’re crated. This is especially true if you’ve got a rambunctious pup. Dogs need stimulation, so don’t make their crate a boring place. 

#3 Set Up the Crate in a Quiet Location (But Not Too Quiet)

Dogs love to be around people. They’re also more than willing to snooze in any patch of sun or warm spot on the couch. When choosing an ideal spot for your puppy’s crate, keep in mind that they might appreciate some proximity to you. 

When it comes to crate training your puppy, keeping their crate in your bedroom is probably your best option. Until they’re housebroken, it’s almost a guarantee that your puppy is going to need to go out during the night. Keeping the dog crate close will ensure that you hear them when they need to go. 

Once your puppy is a little older, you might consider moving their crate into a busier section of the house—like the living room or dining room—so that your dog feels like they’re a part of the family even when they’re in the dog crate. Avoid out-of-the-way areas like the garage, the basement, or any room in your house where your puppy might be too isolated.

#4 Let Them Discover The Crate On Their Own

When you’re first introducing a puppy to their crate, their curiosity can come in handy. Once you have the crate set up, allow space for them to find their way in there on their own. You can also play with your puppy in the area of the crate and casually toss a toy or a treat inside. Plus, make sure to give them another treat once they actually enter the puppy’s crate to reward their exploration. 

If you find that your puppy is skittish about entering the crate, try rewarding them with treats just for getting closer. Eventually, they’ll become comfortable enough to go inside. 

#5 Practice Shutting the Crate Door—And Gradually Increase the Time it Stays Shut

The most challenging part about crate training your dog may be when you have to shut the crate door. To aid with your pet parent anxiety and your puppy’s, it’s best to introduce this process gradually. 

At first, try letting your puppy spend a few minutes in the crate with you still there—read a book, start up your favorite streaming service, or have lunch. Gradually extend the time until your puppy is used to being in the crate with you nearby.

Next, slowly begin crating your puppy while you leave the room. At first, you might try shutting the door and only leaving the room for a few minutes. This is one common way of how to build trust with your dog. When you return, make sure you bring a treat and praise your puppy for their good behavior. Then, slowly increase the time that you’re away. Pretty soon, your puppy will have minimal separation anxiety and build trust that you’re going to come back.

#6 Budget Your Crate Time

Like we mentioned above, dogs are social creatures—and puppies especially so. They want to be around their families, explore their domain, and run around the backyard. In general, puppies shouldn’t be spending all day and all night cooped up in crate confinement.

Keeping your puppy in their crate overnight is okay, mainly because you’re going to have to take them out at least once anyway for a bathroom trip. 

But how much time your puppy should spend crated during the day is heavily dependent on how much stimulation you’re giving them during their uncrated time. If you have no choice but to keep your puppy crated for a long stretch, make sure you’re giving them plenty of attention and activity when they’re on the loose. 

As you increase your puppy’s crate time, remember to always take your puppy outside to use the bathroom before putting them in the crate. This can help them to feel calmer and have an easier time settling in.

#7 Make the Crate a Happy Place

The old phrase “in the doghouse” usually means that someone’s in trouble, but your actual doghouse—or in this instance, crate—shouldn’t be a place of punishment. If you want your puppy to see their crate as a safe and welcoming space, don’t use it for timeouts, and try not to force your puppy inside. 

Instead, you can build positive associations with the crate by feeding your puppy meals in their crate, providing toys and treats, or even teaching your puppy games and tricks with the crate. In general, the goal should be to help them see their crate as a secure space they can retreat to for quiet time—rather than a place they must go when they’ve chewed up your shoes.

Enrich Your Puppy’s Life with Food from Darwin’s

By now, you’ve hopefully learned the best way to crate train a puppy. Besides a patient and caring pet parent, a big part of what makes puppy crate training work is that it respects your dog’s evolutionary propensity to find comfort in small spaces.

Just like we honor our puppies’ needs for a safe space, we should also respect their ancestral diet. Dogs evolved from hunters and scavengers, which means their systems are geared to food that’s high in protein and good fats from raw meat. While it isn't recommended for puppies under 4 months old to eat a raw dog food diet, pet parents can begin by gently cooking raw foods to get them ready for the transition.

At Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, we’ve designed our natural pet food to meet exactly their needs. Consider switching to Darwin’s to give your pet the real meat they naturally crave.

Sources: 

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Crate Training Your Puppy. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk491/files/inline-files/Crate_Training_Your_Puppy.pdf 

American Kennel Club. Crate Training Benefits: Why A Crate Is Great for You and Your Dog. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-crate-training-is-great-for-your-dog/

Modern Dog. A Trainer’s Truth About Crates. https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/trainers-truth-about-crates/174

Paw Tracks. Where To Put a Dog Crate In Your House Depends on These Important Factors. https://www.pawtracks.com/dogs/where-to-put-dog-crate/