How to crate train a puppy: a step-by-step guide

Part 1

How long crate training really takes

Crate training moves through stages, from getting comfortable near the crate to building up time and distance inside it. The step-by-step method starts with your puppy exploring the crate, then moves to closing the door briefly, then to building up how long and how far you can be from your puppy. With smaller litters, puppies may start sleeping in a crate as early as six weeks old. A puppy who was just separated from their mother and littermates may need extra patience at first, since that separation alone can be distressing.

Over time your puppy can learn a cue, such as crate or kennel up, and walk in by themselves when you ask. Letting your puppy cry it out, on the other hand, can create negative associations with the crate, so it helps to let them out before they show signs of stress.

Part 2

Setting up the crate for success

A good setup makes every later step with your puppy easier. Try these basics before you begin any training sessions.

• Keep the crate door open and put treats and toys inside it for your puppy to find.
• Feed meals near the entrance at first, then just inside the doorway as your puppy gets used to it.
• Cover the sides and back of a wire crate to make it feel cozier, while leaving the front open.
• Remove your puppy's collar before crate time so it can't catch on the bars.
• Keep more than one crate, such as one upstairs, one downstairs, and one for the car, for convenience.

Part 3

A gradual, step-by-step introduction

Start with the crate door tied fully open and encourage your puppy to go near it, and eventually inside, using treats, toys, and praise. Feeding meals just inside the doorway, then farther back at each meal, is one reliable way to build this habit. Only begin closing the door once your puppy is entering eagerly, moving it just an inch or two before opening it fully again. Build up the time the door stays closed in small steps, rewarding your puppy while they're inside so confinement itself feels good. Once your puppy is comfortable behind a closed door, you can start adding distance, stepping away for a second at a time before returning.

Part 4

Handling crying and resistance without setbacks

Letting your puppy cry it out can create negative associations with being crated. Instead, crate your puppy for short periods and let them out before they show signs of stress. If your puppy is sensitive to the sound of the door latching, you can pair that sound with a favorite treat and build the volume up slowly.

Part 5

Fitting the crate into a daily routine

A predictable routine helps your puppy know what the crate is for. Crates are valuable tools for potty training. As a rule, your puppy shouldn't be crated any longer than they can hold their bladder, and crate time shouldn't fill an entire day, every day.

Part 6

When crate training isn't going as planned

One common mistake is forcing your puppy into the crate instead of luring them in with treats and rewards. Using the crate as punishment is another mistake, since it should stay your puppy's happy place rather than somewhere they're sent when in trouble. If your puppy is noise-sensitive, the clank of the door closing and latching might trigger anxiety, so build up the sound slowly while pairing it with something they love. Ask your vet or a certified trainer if your puppy's distress around the crate does not improve with a slow, reward-based approach.