Crate Training Your Puppy

I don’t like crates. It feels like I’m locking my puppy up.
Okay, so here’s where you need to put on your “Think Like a Dog” hat. It may feel like you’re putting your puppy in a cage, but remember that dogs like confined spaces. They are more secure when they have an enclosed place to retreat to. You’ve probably noticed that dogs like to crawl into tight spots such as under porches, stairs and even under furniture and tables, to take a nap. These places simulate the dens their wolf ancestors slept in, out in the wild. Trust me, once your pup becomes used to the crate, she will love having it as her own personal space when she wants to be alone, is scared or doesn’t feel well.

Choosing a Crate
Purchase a crate that will fit your pup when she is at her adult size and that has a divider. This will save you money, the hassle of purchasing new crates as your pup gets bigger and cuts down on her stress because her environment has been changed. Puppies grow very quickly, so she will not be spending much time in a smaller crate. Pick one that has an easy to clean liner tray and that will be durable enough to last your dog’s lifetime. At her largest, as an adult, she should have enough room in the crate to stand up, turn around and stretch out.

For detailed information on setting up your puppy’s crate, see Puppy Tips in the Buying a Puppy Guide section.

Setting up the Crate
Using the divider, section off the front part of the crate so that there is enough room for your puppy to turn around and stretch out. During the housetraining process, you want to ensure that your pup only has enough room in the crate to sleep. Dogs, by nature will not eliminate where they sleep, if they can help it. If we were to allow her access to the entire crate, she would have enough space to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another corner. As puppy grows, move the divider to make her space larger, so that she always remains comfortable.

Introducing the Crate
When you first bring puppy home, introduce her as soon as possible to her new crate that you’ve set up for her. You want the crate to be associated with good things, remember this is going to be your puppy's special place. Put one or two toys into the crate, so she'll have some fun things for her in there. Lead your puppy to the crate, show her a yummy treat, letting her sniff it. Throw the treat into the crate. Say, “In your crate” (or whatever you want the command to be for her to go into her crate) as you toss the treat in. Leave the door open at this point, you just want her to go in and investigate the crate. Praise her when she goes into the crate. Good girl! Repeat this until puppy is comfortable going into and out of the crate. She must remain calm and happy about going into the crate.


It's important your pup enters and exits her crate on her own. Do not pick her up and place her in the crate.

Closing the Crate Door
Once your pup is comfortable going into the crate on her own, the next step is to close the crate door while she is in there. If she fusses or throws a temper tantrum, leave her in the crate until she settles down. It will be heartbreaking and listening to the racket may drive you crazy, but if you cave and let her out before she is quiet, you are teaching her that she can whine or throw a tantrum and she will get what she wants. Once she has settled down, open the crate door and let her out. If you are lucky and she remains quiet when you close the door, leave her there for a moment then let her out. Keep repeating this until your pup is fully comfortable with being in her crate.