How to crate train your dog (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to crate train a dog? ›

Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age, temperament and past experiences. It's important to keep two things in mind while crate training: The crate should always be associated with something pleasant and training should take place in a series of small steps. Don't go too fast.

Let your puppy get used to the crate.

“Place the crate somewhere where your dog can feel a part of family life, but that isn't too busy or noisy a space to relax in,” Wilkinson says. Leave the crate door open so they can nose around and explore, and put some toys and a blanket in the crate, as well as food and water.

Put the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the crate. Bring your dog over to the crate and talk to him in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the crate door is securely fastened open, so it won't hit your dog and frighten him.

Impawtant Note: While it's common for dogs to sleep in crates at night, we don't recommend that you keep your dog in a crate for more than a couple hours during the day. Before you go back to the office, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so they do not have to stay in a crate at all while you're gone.

As with crate training, a gradual introduction is the best way to get your best friend used to a covered crate. And because a properly trained dog considers her crate a safe and happy space, you should never place a blanket or cover over it to punish her. Instead, offer a covered crate as an opportunity to wind down.

So, a puppy that's 8 weeks old should not be left inside their crates for longer than 2 hours at a time. Adjust your puppy crate training schedule so that your 12-week-old dog is not crated for more than 3 hours, a 4-month-old puppy no longer 4 hours, and a 6-month-old puppy for no more than 6 hours.

Ignore the Puppy Crying

When placing your puppy in the crate and walking away, you can choose to ignore their initial cries. The puppy may be contact calling to see if you're nearby. If you don't respond right away and the puppy settles within a few minutes, you don't need to go back into the room.

Many dogs cannot be trusted completely until they are closer to two years of age. We recommend crating your dog at night until they reach this milestone. If you can leave your dog alone at home without crating them for a few hours, then you may be able to leave them out of their crate at night.

While it's not a hard and fast rule, dogs that really love their crate, often sleep in it when the door is left open.

Should I lock puppy in crate first night? ›

In a nutshell, my advice is to place your dog in the crate at bedtime, to lock the door of the crate and NOT to come back until a sensible hour in the morning, whereby you let the dog out.

Most people don't realize that animals who are caged for extended periods of time often become aggressive, withdrawn, hyperactive, and/or severely depressed, and they can also develop other problems, such as eating disorders.

No. Healthy, adult dogs don't need water in their crate overnight. Hydration isn't an issue so long as your dog has plenty of water available throughout the day. Also, your dog should associate the ritual of going into her crate at night solely with sleep, comfort, and security, and not with drinking water.

Dogs who are crate trained feel comfortable and relaxed having a secure den-like space of their own. Some people feel that a dog would be sad in a crate, or think it's like prison. But the truth is that most dogs who are left out of the crate are far more anxious and stressed out.

It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a factor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy's previous living conditions matter, too.

Don't believe the tired cliche that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, as you can crate train a dog at any age. But while the training process is relatively easy, how long it takes can vary from one dog to the next.

While teaching independence is important, ignoring a puppy's crying at night is not the best method. Puppies need reassurance and comfort, especially in a new environment. Addressing their needs while gradually teaching them to sleep through the night is more beneficial.

Try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate.