Crate training your dog or puppy is a really useful and helpful way to manage your dog’s behaviour. The crate is very much your dog’s space – their den, their bedroom, a place where they feel safe and find refuge. When crate training a puppy, the most important thing to remember is make it a positive experience, and never a punishment.
How to crate train a puppy
If you’re planning to crate train your dog, it’s best to start as young as possible. Like with most things, crate training a puppy is far easier than with an older dog as the crate becomes simply part of their life from the beginning. Crate training your puppy is also a great way to help with toilet training, as dogs will rarely “go” where they sleep.
You need to make sure you pick the right size crate for your dog. It needs to be small enough that it feels like your puppy’s bed area, and cozy enough to feel like den space (Just remember how fast puppies can grow, so make sure you pick one that they won’t outgrow when they get bigger). To start with, you just want their bed, toys and some puppy pads (or newspaper) inside the crate, making sure food and water bowls are outside.
How long should I leave my puppy in the crate?
You shouldn’t leave your puppy in the crate for long periods of time, especially not at first. Instead you need to gradually introduce time in the crate to your puppy, helping to build a positive association with spending time there. If they cry to be let out, try to ignore this (as hard as it will be sometimes) and don’t reward them with fuss or hugs when they come out – it needs to be seen as no big deal to be in, and come out of, their crate. That said, it’s best to leave the door open at first, only starting to close it when they’re starting to feel comfortable in the crate and won’t see having the door closed as a problem.
Where should I put my puppy’s crate?
Location is key when crate training a puppy. Ideally, it should be in a quiet area of the house with low levels of “traffic” and little external stimulation to distract your puppy from relaxing in their crate. It often helps to cover the sides and top with blankets or rugs to make it a more den-like setting and a space they want to spend time in. This can also help you puppy see it as their bed or bedroom, and can help with toilet training – going out before bed, and knowing to get up and go in the morning. If you have children, it’s important to teach them that the crate is the dog’s space and a do-not-disturb area.
Travelling with your dog’s crate
Another bonus that comes from crate training your dog is how much it can help them to travel. It makes for a safe and familiar space for your dog when you go on holiday, especially if going on a longer car journey. And when you reach your destination it becomes a home away from home for your dog, helping them to settle into the unfamiliar surroundings much more easily.
Related blog – Long journeys with your dog
My dog’s have had a runny tummy ever since switching to your brand. Can you suggest anything?
Hi Caff,
Sorry to hear this. Please reach out to our customer support team hello@tails.com. They will be able to offer you help
Thanks
Ellie
Our puppy is 8 weeks old and keeps waking up in the middle of the night whining very loud, can this be change in anyway so she can sleep the whole way through or not?
Puppy’s at this age need to be taken out for regular potty breaks just like a new baby, every few hours at first slowly stretching it out . Take then from there crate outside there potty spot and let them go this can take up to 20+ mins. Then put them straight back in the crate without speaking. And make sure you remove water at 8pm.
We have a cockapoo that is 10 weeks old. She hates her crate at night times only. She will go in and out during the day to get toys or have her snuffle mat. When it comes to night time she goes mental. Running up and down, knawing at it, crying and growling. We left her one night for 20 mins and she worked herself up into such a frenzy we had to give in. We have resulted in her having the en-suite at nights with a child gate which she is coping with. My concern is if I need to go out. We would like to leave her in the crate. I have tried this for short periods of time, but she just doesn’t like it. Any suggestions? Thanks Yvonne
Our pup has been perfectly happy in her crate overnight from the start however she is now 6 months and we have recently had her spayed and she will no longer go in her crate crying and becoming distressed. Any tips for reintroducing?
You might need to start from the beginning with her crate training – things like keeping the door open, feeding meals in there and introducing it as a safe space slowly will help. If you’re still struggling, have a chat with your vet or a qualified behaviourist – they can help!
Our new whippet pup 9 weeks old was in crate and crying a little then awful screaming. I found her with her jaw stuck solid with two bars of the cage metal inside he mouth stuck. I couldnt budge her mouth. Thankfully hubby came and managed to get her free. It was very scary. It has happened once since than. now we are scared to leave her in cage. any tips please.
At night in another cage by our bed she is mostly ok.
As to throws over crate she pulls them through into cage and bites them.