How To Crate Train Your Puppy

Crate training is one of the most effective ways to provide your puppy with a safe, comfortable space that they can call their own. While some may feel hesitant about crate training, thinking it might be restrictive, when done correctly, it’s a positive experience that offers numerous benefits for both you and your dog.

Benefits:

Over-Night Stays - Crate training prepares your dog for situations where they might need to stay away from home, such as during a holiday or a vet's overnight stay. When your dog is accustomed to being in a crate, these experiences become much less stressful because the crate is a familiar, safe space for them.

Safe Travel - Using a crate for car travel ensures your dog’s safety. A car crate can prevent distractions while driving and offers protection in the event of an accident. If your dog is crate-trained, they’re more likely to feel secure during car rides, making travel more enjoyable for everyone.

Down-Time - Crates are excellent tools for establishing down-time at home. Puppies are full of energy, but they also need plenty of rest. A crate provides a quiet, peaceful place where your puppy can retreat to relax and sleep, helping them develop a healthy routine.

Toilet Training - Crates can be invaluable during the house training process. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a properly sized crate encourages your puppy to hold their bladder until they’re let outside. This helps to establish good toilet habits more quickly. 

A common mistake is placing puppy pads inside the crate. While this might seem like a good idea, it can actually hinder the house training process. Your puppy may begin to think it’s acceptable to relieve themselves in their crate, which goes against the instinct to keep their “home” clean. This can make toilet training more challenging and prolong the process. Instead, make frequent trips outside to allow your puppy to relieve themselves, especially after meals and naps.

Steps to Crate Training:

1. Choose the right crate - a crate that’s large enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. 

2. Positive Association - Start by making the crate a positive place. Place comfortable bedding inside, and leave the door open so your puppy can explore it on their own. I like to feed my dogs their treats or chews in the crate. I also feed them in there and leave their water in there, to strengthen the positive association and to encourage going in there by themselves. Don't leave food or water overnight if you are toilet training.

3. Training - Put a lead on your puppy. Leave the door open and say "crate" or "place" then using your dogs food, lure them into the crate (keep the food to their nose if you want them to follow). When all four paws are inside, then reward. Practice this until you can say "crate" and your puppy walks into it by themselves. 

4. Duration - As your puppy sits in the crate, leave the door open and sit a few metres away and chuck treats into the crate periodically. Increase the time between each treat throw, so they understand the longer they stay in the crate, the more treats that follow. If they try to exit the crate, say "No" and then "Crate", use the lead to put them back in the crate, and reward when they are back in there. Repeat the process. Start shutting the door, once they start understanding they need to settle in there. If they cry, stop rewarding and wait for them to stop even if its for 5 seconds, then reward that silence. Only let them out of the crate if they are being quiet.

5. Routine - Keep your puppy in their crate unless you can supervise them fully, this avoids any accidental behind your back chewing, weeing or other 'naughty' behaviours! It also creates a healthy boundary that when they come out it's play time or training time, and when they are in the crate it's down-time. 

Crate training, when done correctly, is a valuable tool for helping your puppy adapt to their new home, travel safely, and develop good habits. It provides them with a safe, comfortable space and helps establish a routine that benefits both you and your dog. Remember to be patient, consistent, and positive throughout the process. With time, your puppy will come to love their crate as their own personal retreat.