How to Crate Train a Puppy in 9 Steps

The crate training process uses small steps to teach a dog to view a crate or cage as a comfortable, safe place. Crating helps with potty training new puppies by encouraging the development of total bladder and bowel control, and it also helps prevent dogs from chewing up household possessions when you aren’t home.

As part of the puppy training process, crate training is essential for dogs to feel at home in their crates. When you start a young puppy with short periods of time in a dog crate and gradually work up to longer periods, they will gradually learn to enjoy their crate time. There are five key benefits of crate training.

1. 1. It helps with house training. Crating is the ideal technique for house training a puppy.
2. 2. It protects your home. Even when you're only away for a short time, a free-roaming dog can wreak havoc on a house. A crate-trained dog will not damage your furniture, floors, and other possessions when you're not home.
3. 3. It protects your dog. Crate training is a great way for puppy owners to avoid risking poisonings or injuries to their dog when they leave the house. A new dog who builds a positive association with their crate also feels less separation anxiety when you’re gone for a long period of time.
4. 4. It makes transportation easier. Car trips are easier when your dog is safely confined in a crate.
5. 5. It prepares your dog for the kennel. Crate training helps dogs have a more positive experience at kennels or dog hotels.

The amount of time it takes to crate train a dog ranges from days to weeks. No matter how long it takes, proceed with the dog training steps slowly and refrain from rushing the process.

1. 1. Select an appropriate dog crate. Dogs that like to sleep in the dark will favor an enclosed plastic crate; otherwise, collapsible wire crates are typically the best option. Crates come in many different sizes, and it's important you choose the appropriate size. If you choose one that’s too big, your dog will have the ability to go to the bathroom on one side of it and still sleep at the other end. Choose one that’s too small, and it will be uncomfortable. Go for a crate that allows your puppy to stand up, circle around, and lie down comfortably. Always size your crate based on the size of an adult dog, which means if you're crate training a puppy you should purchase a crate divider in order to temporarily shrink the interior space of the crate.
2. 2. Make the crate inviting with chew toys and blankets. Add some soft blankets to your dog's crate to make it extra cozy, and throw in your pup's favorite toys to indicate the crate is an enjoyable place. You can also use a dog bed instead of blankets, but be warned some dogs will view the bed as a place to go to the bathroom.
3. 3. Place the crate in an ideal location. Pick a room where you tend to spend a lot of time, such as the family room or living room. Once you choose the room, place the crate as close to an outdoor exit as possible. This way it will be easy for your dog to get outside and go to the bathroom before they have the chance to go inside the house.
4. 4. Lure your dog inside the crate. Open the crate door and place some treats on the floor near the entrance. Once your dog is in front of the crate, toss some treats inside and wait for your dog to enter the crate to eat the treats. Some dogs enter the crate immediately, while others may take days to go inside. No matter how long it takes, let them walk in on their own without forcing them inside. For now, make sure to always keep the crate door open.
5. 5. Feed your dog meals inside the crate. For dogs who are already comfortable inside the crate, set their food dish toward the back of the crate. If your dog is still anxious about being inside the crate, place their food dish right at the entrance barrier and then move it slightly further inside each mealtime.
6. 6. Close the crate door. Once your dog is at ease while eating meals in the crate, it's time to close the crate door at the start of mealtime. The first time you close the door, only keep it closed until your dog finishes eating their meal. Going forward, slowly leave the door closed for longer and longer after they're finished eating. Your dog may whine to get you to let them out, but it's imperative that you only open the door once they stop whining. If you give in and let your dog out while they’re still whining, your dog will believe that whining is the key to getting out of the crate.
7. 7. Give your dog a crate command. Teach your pup a command to enter the crate so you don’t always need to lure them inside with a treat. Say "crate" or "kennel up" and point to the crate door with a treat in your hand. Once your dog enters, praise them and feed them the treat. Over time begin to use the crate command without a treat in your hand until you don't need the treat anymore at all.
8. 8. Slowly increase the length of time your dog spends in the crate. Start by crating your dog for a short time while you're in the room, then work your way up to the point where you can leave the room for a little while. Once your dog doesn't mind being in the crate for half an hour while you're out of the room, you can then leave them in the crate for a short period of time when you leave the house completely.
9. 9. Crate your dog overnight. Unlike older dogs who have developed bladder control, puppies who aren’t fully house-trained will most likely need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Before your puppy's first night in the crate, place the crate close enough to your bedroom that you can hear your puppy whining. When you hear them whining, say your housebreaking command to see if your puppy reacts with excitement. If they react, take them outside to do their business while making sure not to make any pitstops for playtime before returning them to the crate. If your puppy doesn't react to your housebreaking command and you don't believe they have to use the bathroom, ignore their whining and keep them in the crate for the rest of the night.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially—”no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.