How to Crate Train: A Positive Experience
What do I need know before I start?
Crate training should be a POSITIVE process.
Never use the crate as a punishment.
The crate is your dog’s space. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it should be comfortable for them.
Click below to read more on why to crate train
What do I need to get started?
Size and weight appropriate crate. *If the crate is too big, they may potty in it.
Training treats
Bed or blanket for comfort
How to Crate Train
I know this looks like a lot, but it’s just repetitive!
Let your dog sniff the crate and check it out, with the door open. Do not close the door yet.
Give them treats outside the crate
Put treats in crate, don’t close door
Praise if dog goes in
Let them come out, put more treats in, crate command and praise when they go in
Close door, don’t lock
Feed them through the crate, give “sit” command
Open door and let them come out
Repeat with treats inside, crate command and praise when they go in
Lock door, praise, give treats through crate
Open crate and praise
Repeat treats inside, crate command and praise when they go in, close and lock door, give treats through crate
Leave room for a few seconds
Go back, praise, open door
Repeat treats inside, close and lock door, give treats through crate
Leave room for a few seconds
Go back, praise, give treats through crate
Leave room again for 1 minute
Go back, praise, let them out
Repeat treats inside, crate command and praise when they go in, close and lock door
Leave room for a few minutes
Go back, praise, let out
Continuing Crate Training
Put the crate in a neutral area in your home, somewhere your dog regularly spends time.
Feed your dog all their regular meals in their crate every day.
Make sure to give your dogs access to water in their crate, but limit the amount so they don’t overfill their bladder.
Stick with it! If they cry, wait until they stop to let them out. You don’t want them to learn that if they cry, they get let out.
Consider a puzzle toy, lick mat, or bones/rawhide for them to chew on to release energy and anxiety in their kennel.
ALWAYS let them out to potty before putting them in their kennel and after letting them out.