How To Crate Train Your Pup
As professional dog walkers, we get to meet and be part of so many different dog’s lives. One sentiment that becomes abundantly clear after working with so many of them, is that every dog is unique and has different needs! While some dogs are able to roam their house or yard alone freely without worries of potty accidents, destructive behavior, eating hazardous things, or just getting into general mischief, others need more structure and direction to prevent those things, and that is okay! Some dogs may mostly need crate training as puppies while they continue to learn and grow, while other dogs need crate training for life. Regardless of the why and when, crate training is something that is extremely beneficial for most dogs! This article is designed to help you start your dog’s crate training journey with tips, tricks, and recommendations for a smooth training process.
Reasons to Crate Train
Training Puppies: Training your pup to stay in their crate for bits of time can be helpful with several circumstances. There will be times where you are not able to completely supervise what your pup is doing; for example, while we are cleaning, working, running errands, or tending to kids. Having them in a safe and enclosed space, such as the crate, will give you peace of mind that they aren’t getting into any trouble while you are doing these things.
Potty Training: As we all know, just like with kids, it can take puppies some time (and us some patience) to learn how to hold their potty, go in the right places, as well as alert us when they need to go. Crate training can give you some peace of mind that when you get home, or finish your tasks, you won’t find potty accidents around the house. You can always put a potty pad down in their crate just in case they cannot hold their potty, however you’ll likely find that they will wait until you let them out to go potty because their natural instincts tell them to not soil their safe space. In either case, make sure to take them outside for a potty break as soon as you’re back, and try not to leave them in there for extended periods of time.
Reduces Destructive Behavior: Crate training can also prevent your dog or puppy from destroying things within their reach around the house while you’re unable to supervise. Not only will this save you the hassle of cleaning up their mess, but it can also prevent them from chewing or swallowing something potentially hazardous! In the long run, it will prevent you from having to repurchase or replace several items, as well as prevent random trips to the emergency vet.
Creating a Safe Space: Overtime, your pup will learn to understand that the crate isn’t a jail cell, it’s actually their safe space. When and if your household becomes loud or overwhelming (due to get togethers, new people or pets, your kid’s clarinet lesson, fireworks, etc.), your pup will know that they have a safe space to go and may go lay in there without being prompted.
Senior Care: As dogs get older, their needs change immensely. Their bodies grow sore and achy due to stiffness and arthritis, and their minds are not as sharp as they were as young pups. This can cause them to nap more, become less social, and generally not be as energetic and full of life as they once were. Some elderly dogs will also experience cognitive dysfunction and nighttime wandering that can unfortunately further tire and confuse them. Crating your senior pup at bed time (with a supportive bed inside) can help them have a more restful night and wake up more refreshed and less achy than if they are allowed to wander around.
Easier Traveling: Throughout their lifetime, there will be at least a handful of times (or possibly many times) when we need to transport our pups somewhere. Whether it’s a trip to grandma’s house, the vet, a road trip, or even a flight; it is a good idea to have your pup used to being in a crate for easier traveling. The crate can give them some needed rest and peace of mind during a time that may be nerve wrecking for them; it also makes traveling safer for both you and them and limits distractions. If you crate train with them at home, they will be more likely to relax in their crate during travel because they will already be used to it.
Tips for Successful Crate Training
One of the most important things to remember when beginning crate training with your dog is that it should always be a positive experience for them. The more positive associations they have with the crate, the more willing they will be to go into the crate when you really need them to, as well as use it unprompted as a safe space when they are tired or stressed. To accomplish this you can:
Feed them their meals and treats in the crate, so being in their crate will feel like a reward. The more you do this, especialy when first starting out training, the more comfortable they will be with getting in the crate on their own. They may even go into the crate unprompted, anticipating a tasty treat or their dinner which makes the process simpler for both you and them.
Do not use the crate as a punishment. For some, the crate seems like a simple solution for when you need to scold your dog for doing something naughty, for example, chewing up your favorite slippers. Some may believe that following that unwanted behavior with time in the crate will teach them that their behavior wasn’t okay. However, it is more likely that this will only teach them that the crate is somewhere they do not want to be; essentially your pup’s personal jail cell. Overtime, this will create much difficulty when it comes time to be crated for any reason, you will end up stressing yourself, and your pup, and they will become increasing averse to going into the crate.
Never leave them in the crate all day. While there may be times where being in the crate for a while is necessary, do your best to not have them in the crate for extended periods of times on a regular basis, especially when you are first starting crate training. You don’t want your pup associating the crate with feeling trapped; there is a fine line between them feeling safe and secure, versus feeling trapped and ignored.
Make the crate comfortable! Add bits of comfort to the crate such as a dog bed, blankets, and toys to make it more comfortable and welcoming. It will be a much more pleasant experience and will encourage them to nap or relax; their familiar smell on the items can help ease them as well.
Reward them for going into their crate unprompted. Even when they do not need to be crated, leave the crate open and accessible to them. When and if they decide to go in to lay down or check it our briefly on their own, make sure to reward that with treats and loving praise. This positive reinforcement will continue to make it easier for you to get them in there without trouble when it is necessary.
Watch them while you’re gone with a dog/baby monitor camera pointed directly at their crate. If you’re an anxious dog parent this can give you peace of mind that you’re able to see how they’re doing. You can also use it to monitor their behavior; see if they’re anxious, shaking, barking, whining, pacing, or comfortable and napping. We recommend the Furbo pet monitor that you can snag off of Amazon.
Get the correct size crate for your pup! Your dog should be able to stand up completely, turn around, and lay down comfortably in their crate. A crate that is too small can lead to discomfort and pain as they won’t be able to stand up or turn around comfortably, it may also make them feel trapped which is never a good feeling. We recommend something like this!
Conclusion
Overall, there are many amazing reasons to crate train your dog. Even dogs that are perfectly fine roaming the house throughout the day can benefit from being trained and comfortable with the crate. Having your dog comfortable in their crate will make travel, vet visits, and many other scenarios so much easier for both you and them. The most important take away from this article is that the crate should not be used as punishment; try your best to make the crate a happy or at least neutral space for your dog to find refuge. While there may be times we crate our pups to keep them out of trouble, you still want to use positive reinforcement methods to encourage them to be in the crate and show them that it is a safe resting place, not a jail cell! Instead of thinking of the crate as your dog’s cell or “time out” zone, think of it as their personal bedroom and resting space; it will help both you and them be able to use it as a positive resource!
Written By: Jessica L Hays
Social Media & Community Outreach Associate/Professional Dog Walker
References
Arford, Kaitlyn. “Crate Training Benefits: Why a Crate Is Great for You and Your Dog.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 8 July 2024, www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/why-crate-training-is-great-for-your-dog/.
Schade, Victoria. “How to Crate Train Your Puppy.” Chewy, 30 Apr. 2025, www.chewy.com/education/dog/new-dog/how-to-crate-train-a-puppy-a-step-by-step-guide-from-an-expert?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22358864126&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22362561979&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V2pmvQyboG-hX9lLMjXUKzc4&gclid=CjwKCAjwvO7CBhAqEiwA9q2YJe972gnZR2CkqqT4euFEZoslxWfAf-8cwkyyqbqYvXhb3T185-RnSBoCRa0QAvD_BwE.
Schneiderman, Jessica. “How to Crate Train Your Dog (and Why You Should!).” Sadie’s Rules K9 Training, Sadie’s Rules K9 Training, 27 Jan. 2021, www.sadiesrulesk9training.com/blog-posts/2019/6/29/how-to-crate-train-your-dog-and-why-you-should.
