Best Crate Training Tips for Puppies & Dogs

What you'll need: Lots of extra tasty treats Reward Marker Quiet room Appropriately sized crate A hungry dog

How to make it happen:

1. Place your dog's crate in a quiet room where your dog feels most comfortable.

2. Stock your pocket or pouch with treats without letting your dog see you do so and bring your dog into the room where the crate is located.

3. Start by tossing treats near the crate. After your dog eats the treats, toss a few more a bit closer to the crate. Repeat this a few times to gain a positive association to help your dog feel comfortable in the presence of their crate.

4. Next, begin to actually toss your treats inside of the crate, maybe just a few inches at first. As your dog steps inside of the crate give your reward marker and toss another treat in. Your dog will probably start to walk into the crate on their own after several repetitions of the previous steps. If at any time should your dog walk into the crate on their own you should mark and reward by placing several treats on the floor in the crate.

5. Once your dog offers this behavior you may add your cue. I like to use “Crate” or “Go to bed”. Give your cue before luring and tossing a treat to the back of the crate.

6. After your dog eats the treat from the back of their crate, give your marker and place another treat on the floor of the crate. Once they are done eating the treat you may give your release cue “OK!” and allow your dog out of the crate. Repeat these steps until your dog reliably goes into their crate on cue.

Auto-Sit for “Go to Bed”:

1. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

2. Next, give your cue to kennel up but do not toss a treat into the crate. Your dog should still go in with no hesitation.

3. Once your dog is inside and turns around lure them into a sit. Give your marker the moment your dog is in the sit position and reward with a treat.

4. Give your release cue and allow your dog out.

5. Repeat this until your dog will go inside of their crate then turn around and sit calmly before you mark and reward then release.

6. Build the duration of the auto sit by waiting a few moments before marking then rewarding. Slowly increase moments to seconds and then to minutes. If at any time your dog gets out of the position before being released you have probably moved too far ahead too quickly.

7. Once they can hold the position for a period of time you can begin to move the crate door a bit. Only touching the door at first, then moving it a couple of inches and then a little more and so on, until you can close the door all the way with your dog remaining in a calm sitting position in their crate. Again, if at any time your dog gets out of the position before being released you have probably moved too far ahead too quickly and should increase the duration of the auto-sit.

Training Tips: The crate is a great management tool as well as a safe space for your pet. You should never force your dog into the crate or use it as a punishment. Always remove your dog's collar or harness before putting them in their crate as it could be a potential safety hazard.Bones, plush toys and chews that splinter or break into large pieces should never be left in the crate and only used with supervision.Anytime your dog offers to go into their crate you should give lots of calm praise, treats or a stuffed Kong toy.

You should put your dog in their crate multiple times throughout the day for small increments while you are in the room or still home. Otherwise, you can gain the association that if your pet goes into their crate, then everyone is leaving.

Never let your dog out of their crate if they are not calm. This means no jumping, whining, barking, chewing or pawing at the door. A dog should learn that being calm and polite gets them everything.

You can feed your pet their meals in their crate if they are nervous of being in there. We want our pet to associate amazing rewards with their crate.