How to Crate Train a Puppy

Crate training is a vital skill for young dogs to have. When trained through positive reinforcement, the kennel can become a safe space for your pup. A proper crate training process also aids in other life skills like potty training. Plus a secure pen can give you some peace of mind when you aren’t able to fully supervise your young pup at all hours of the day! (After all, who can keep eyes on their new addition 100 percent of the time?)

Here’s everything you need to know about crate training your new puppy. Use these foundational concepts—paired with personalized expert advice from a trainer you trust—to follow the crate training program that's right for you.

Why is crate training important?

Here's why teaching your dog to love a kennel is an important part of the puppy training process.

Crate training helps with potty training

A crate is the perfect tool for house training. Very few dogs will have accidents in their crate! The space is too confined—and most canines instinctively don’t want to use the bathroom where they eat and sleep.

So if you make the crate a part of your potty-training routine—and ensure you take your pup out for regularly scheduled, age-appropriate bathroom breaks to keep things healthy and fair—you can help teach your dog to hold their bladder longer inside. They'll learn to only relieve themselves out of the house.

You can read more about house training in our potty-training focused articles:

• What is and How to Handle Potty Training Regression
• How to Train a Dog to Pee on Pad
• Bell Training for Dogs

Crate training can keep your puppy safe

We love our dogs! Every pet parent wants their companion to be safe and live a long, healthy life.

Crating your puppy can keep them from engaging in dangerous or undesirable behaviors, especially when it comes to eating things they shouldn’t. A chewed cord or swallowed piece of your shoe could lead to choking or a bowel obstruction—but with your dog safely in a crate, you can rest easy when you have to leave your best friend unattended.

In the event of an emergency such as a house fire or gas leak, crating your dog can ensure they are easily to locate as you evacuate or are rescued by emergency personnel. We know no one likes to think about these rare dangers, but flukes do happen. Kennel training can be one way to plan ahead.

Crate training can be great for travel

When traveling with your dog, the safest place for them is within a crate. Unrestrained pets can become projectiles in a car crash—and according to the American Automobile Association, only 16% of dog owners properly crate their dogs while traveling. This creates a huge risk in an accident.

If you need to fly with your dog, they must be crated either in the cabin (if they meet the airline's pet size requirements) or in the cargo area (which will require a specific airline-approved flight kennel).

Some hotels require dogs to be in crates when you aren't in the room with them. Many natural disaster evacuation sites ask for dogs to be kenneled, too.

It is best to prepare your dog for these situations by building a positive association ahead of time. This way they your canine companion can feel calm and happy—whatever comes your way.

Crate training can give your puppy a safe space

Crate training is not only beneficial for your mental health—it's also great for your young puppy’s. Introducing your four-legged best friend to the crate in a positive manner can give them a safe retreat when they are experiencing anxiety from thunderstorms, fireworks, and other loud noises.

Your pup can also experience anxiety from being left alone. Because departures can be emotional for dogs and humans alike, separation anxiety is a common complaint from pet parents. Careful crate training can be a partial remedy for separation anxiety. Safe kennel spaces can help in long-term behavior modification plans.

Beyond separation, a bustling household can also be stressful on older dogs. This is especially true if you have children or other pets. It's important to give your puppy their own space to retreat during a stressful situation!

Crates might be a part of future vet visits and grooming experiences

When your puppy has to go to the vet or the groomer, they will likely need to be crated—especially if your dog needs to stay overnight due to an injury or illness.

Since vet visits and grooming can be stressful on their own, making sure the crate is a familiar and safe place is one way you can help your best friend feel comfortable. The quicker they’re able to settle in a crate, the fewer minutes they spend feeling freaked out.

Crates can also help with future training classes

Having fun with your pup can include training classes. From obedience to agility to rally, the world of dog sports is full of opportunity! Many of these classes require that you crate your dog (even just for a few minutes at a time) while other dogs have their turn.

Once again: Getting your puppy used to the crate ahead of time is a great idea.

How to choose your puppy’s crate

Crate training puppies can be hard work. Choosing the right size and type of kennel can make the whole process easier.

Crate size

To find the correct crate size for your puppy, measure their length and height.

• Measure from the tip of your dog's nose to their hindquarters for length.
• Measure from the floor to the top of their head (or ears, if you've got a pointy-eared pup) while seated.
• Add two to four inches on each measurement.

This is the length and height of the crate you need to provide a comfortable resting place for your pup. You want them to be able to stand up and turn around comfortably—but not have enough space to use one corner as a bathroom. You can find extra-small to extra-large crates depending on what size you need!

You can either invest in a few different sized crates to use as your puppy grows up or get one that comes with a divider. (This will allow you to section off the space to be the appropriate size as your dog grows to their adult size without actually buying an entirely new kennel.)

If you need to confine your puppy for extra long periods of time—say you work outside of the house for hours each day—consider a larger x-pen setup with a smaller crate inside the area. This will give your new dog more opportunities to move around and feel comfortable even in your absence. (You can learn more about potty training your puppy with the help of pee pads in this article.)

Crate material

Wire crates are easy to come by and collapsable, making them easy to store away. Lightweight plastic crates are ideal for travel and plastic crates tend to be more budget-friendly, while a soft-sided nylon crate is a great option for smaller pups. (Though you might want to wait until a little later in your crate training process to introduce your puppy to something that might be easier to destroy.)

If you are looking for a stylish option for your home, you can purchase an indoor crate or that blends seamlessly with the furniture in your home. Soft-sided carry crates are great for travel, but they are not recommended for long-term crating.

Most pet supply stores carry a selection of wire crates and plastic kennels.

How to create a positive association with your puppy’s crate

Read on for our best crate training tips.

Meet your puppy’s needs before any crate training practice!

Before any training session, provide for your dog's biological needs by making sure they are properly fed, hydrated, and exercised—and that they’ve gotten some mental stimulation, too. And as always, make sure to only crate after giving your puppy a chance to empty their bladder and bowels!

Your furry friend will thank you for helping them get rid of excess energy and reduce excited behavior. It’s difficult for a young dog with lots of energy to go into training with a calm mindset if their basic needs have not been met.

Remember dogs are social animals who bond closely to their humans. Spending hours in isolation, especially at a young age, can be detrimental to your growing puppy’s trust in you and their ultimate mental and behavioral health. Take crate training slowly.

Play fun crate games

The best way to start building a pleasant association with your puppy’s crate is to introduce the kennel with things they already love.

Grab what your dog finds reinforcing, be it a favorite treat or toy, and start playing some crate games for a few minutes! Toss special treats (different from their daily treats or regular food) or a special type of chew into the crate and leave the door open, letting your dog go into the crate to enjoy their reward.

Keep this up until your pup is eagerly going in and out of the crate without hesitation. Some dogs are more hesitant than others, so remember to be patient. What matters most is your puppy's long-term mindset.

(You can learn more about rewards and reinforcement in this Dog Training 101 article.)

Feed your puppy’s meals in their crate

You can also feed your puppy in the crate during meal time, by either placing their bowl or food dish inside and leaving the door open while they eat their food or tossing kibble into the crate for them in the same way you did with the treats or toys.

By using the crate as a part of your daily routine for breakfast, dinner, and lunch, your dog will associate it with good things. On the potty training front you’ll be able to take advantage of the fact that most dogs don’t want to use their bathroom where they eat, either.

Take your time with crate training (remember to be patient)

Don’t rush these training steps. It’s important to build positive experiences around the crate and show them that crate time is fun!

We know it can feel like a lot of work up front, but taking the time to help your puppy love their crate will be so worth it in the long run. The entire process can take multiple weeks or more.

Work up to closing the crate door and longer durations

Once your puppy is happily going in the crate regularly, start closing the door for a short period of time. Start with only a second and increase duration slowly to 10-15 minutes and eventually an hour or two.

As you work up to longer time periods and your dog is settling, try giving your dog a special treat, such as a stuffed kong, that will take them several minutes to finish. Choose a safe option that requires minimal supervision (unlike a harder chew that could be a choking hazard).

You can also help your pup out by playing a white noise machine when they are in the crate alone or partially covering their kennel with a blanket or specifically made crate cover. This can create a more soothing experience for your dog—it helps cover up distractions in the environment—and ultimately increase their ability to settle for longer periods of time. 

If your puppy starts to show signs of stress, take a few steps back in your training process. Don’t force it. True positive associations matter a lot at this tender age! Even just a few minutes of happy crate time is far, far better than hours of feeling overwhelmed and trapped. Remember that it's normal for crate training to take a few weeks or even months.

What if your puppy needs to sleep in the crate at night?

The first few nights in your new, unfamiliar home can be tough for your new puppy. Crate training will over time give them a safe space they feel comfortable and secure in—but at first they might just feel trapped.

Be prepared for some whining on the initial nights, and be patient with your new best friend! Many puppies benefit from having the crate inside your own bedroom so they don't feel completely isolated from you. You can also use an x-pen plus crate setup like we talked about in the crate size section to ease the transition.

Soft blankets and other cozy beds can also help your puppy's crate feel more comfortable for them. It's important to pay attention to their energy level and supervise closely to make sure they don't shred and ingest any fabric material, though. Some dogs can be trusted with soft bedding right away while others need to wait until they've reached maturity in young adulthood. (And some dogs are never able to be left with plush toys or blankets at all.)

How not to use your puppy’s crate

Do not force your dog into the crate.

This can frighten your pup and make them even more cautious about crate time.

Don’t leave your dog in the crate if they are showing extreme signs of anxiety.

Look out for signs such as pacing, excessive panting unrelated to exercise, or attempting to escape which can all be a sign of fear. Go back to the beginning and start your training over with positive reinforcement or try crating for a shorter time period.

(Interspersing longer regular crate sessions with short sessions that only last a few minutes is always a good idea anyway, even if your puppy likes their den just fine.)

Don't create choking hazards in your puppy's crate.

Don’t leave anything in the crate with your dog that could cause a choking hazard or obstruction, such as hard chews or toys you know your dog will destroy. This is especially important for young puppies who explore the world with their mouths—but it's true even for adult dogs!

Don't use a crate your dog can escape from.

Don't use a wire crate or soft-sided crate with a puppy who is intent on escaping, especially if you aren't supervising closely. This increases their chance of getting injured while trying to chew out of the kennel.

Don’t use the crate as punishment (even social isolation punishment).

If you are only using the crate when you are mad at your pup, it will result in negative associations—and they will not want to spend time in their den. You may have to go back to an earlier step in your training if this happens!

Don’t crate your puppy for too long.

Crating sessions should be kept to a reasonable amount of time. Extended periods can cause problems down the line!

Puppies need potty breaks every few hours—and they need social interaction and play at regular intervals in order to develop properly, too. It's also important to provide consistent access to fresh water.

Do not allow other pets, children, or guests to bother your puppy when they're in their crate.

You want to make it clear that the crate is a safe, special place where your dog can be calm without distractions. This will help prevent unwanted behaviors, like barking for attention (or because they're overwhelmed).

Don't treat your dog's crate like a cure all.

Don't expect the crate to be a magical solution to any problem your dog ever has. While crate training can help with many things, your puppy will require patience and training in all areas of their life.

When in doubt, work with a professional trainer

Struggling with crate training, or just want to make sure you’re setting your puppy up for success? Professional trainers have your back! Helping you and your furry companion live your best life together is exactly what experienced force free trainers are here for.

If you and your dog are struggling with alone time, reach out to a force free professional who can guide you one on one.

Trainer Review of this Article

There is so much misinformation out there, and we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.  

Emily Fitzpatrick
VSA-CDT
Owner and Head Trainer | Misunderstood Mutt