How to Crate Train a Puppy

Published 10th February 2024

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When a new puppy joins the family, one of the first things to work out is how to crate train them. By introducing the crate to your pup slowly and at his own pace, he will quickly learn that the crate is a safe and comfortable little den.
(If he ever feels frightened or forced to rest in his crate he will always be reluctant to enter.)

Eventually, the idea is that you will be able to command your pet to go into his crate when you want him to.

Making your puppy comfy in their crate

Ensuring your puppy feels comfortable in their crate is crucial for successful training. By creating an inviting space with a soft bed and a comforting blanket, your pup is more likely to relax and enjoy their crate.
Although your puppy will grow into a larger dog, it's essential to choose a crate that fits them well. A properly sized crate will help them feel as comfortable and secure as possible.

3 Steps to introduce your puppy to its crate

Remember to take it slow!

Step #1 Encouraging your puppy to enter the crate

The first step in crate training your puppy is to get them inside and leaving the door open. Entice your puppy into the crate with a tasty treat and plenty of praise. If they’re hesitant, gently place them inside, then reward them with a treat and lots more praise. If your puppy seems scared or agitated, speak to them in a calm, positive tone and gently stroke them until they relax. Keep the initial time in the crate brief, just a couple of minutes. Then step back and call them out, offering lots of praise but no treat. Treats should only be given when your puppy is inside the crate.

Step #2 Closing the crate door

Once your puppy is comfortable going in and out of the crate without fear or agitation, you can start closing the door. Begin by closing the door for just a minute, staying within sight of your puppy. If your puppy becomes overwhelmed, open the door, let them out, and repeat the initial step a few more times. After the minute is up, open the door and invite your puppy out again, giving lots of praise but no treat. It's important to associate treats with being inside the crate.

Step #3 Praise your puppy during crate training

Continue to repeat step two, and gradually increase the time your puppy spends in the crate. After each session, always offer plenty of praise when you open the door and invite them out. Consistently following this routine will help your puppy become confident and comfortable using the crate in no time!

Training your puppy to sleep in their crate at night

Starting crate training your puppy straight away as this is the best way to get your dog settled in quickly. It is important that you make his crate a safe, comfortable and enjoyable place. The idea is that the crate should provide him with a ‘den’ where he can feel safe and secure. If your puppy enjoys his little den, he will want to use it on his own accord, which will make crate training so much easier. If he is rushed into training, or forced to use it, the job will probably take longer.

Here are four easy steps that will help you crate train your puppy to sleep in it at night.

Step #1 Exercise your puppy

Before training your puppy to sleep in their crate at night, make sure they get plenty of exercise. Play with them and use fun toys to tire them out, helping them expend excess energy. This step is crucial; without it, your puppy might be restless or reluctant to settle inside their crate.

Step #2 Encourage a nap

After tiring your puppy out, invite them into the crate with a treat and plenty of praise. If they are not entirely comfortable with the crate yet, you don't have to close the door. Sit with them until they calm down, then reward them. Ideally, your puppy will want to rest and might even take a short nap. If they fall asleep, close the door behind them and supervise until they wake up. Puppies often nap for a few minutes, but with enough exercise, they could rest for up to a couple of hours.

Step #3 Gradually increase crate training time

To extend crate training sessions, invite your puppy in for a rest and extend the time to about an hour, and keep extending it by 30 minutes each time. If your puppy wakes up before an hour, sit with them until they are calm. By doing so, they are more likely to fall back to sleep, provided they had enough exercise beforehand. You don't have to close the door if your puppy is still uncomfortable, but if they do fall asleep, close the door and supervise from nearby until they wake up.

Step #4 Train your puppy to sleep in the crate overnight

As soon as your puppy is able to rest quietly for a few hours, he should be ready to stay in the crate overnight without a problem. But remember, persistence and repetition are key. As long as you make crate training an enjoyable experience where your puppy feels comfortable resting inside his little den. Sometimes placing an old t-shirt of yours inside the crate will help comfort your puppy, as the smell of you on the shirt will calm him down and help him sleep.

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