How to Train a Puppy in Crate?

Getting a puppy is an exciting journey full of happiness and company. But it also has responsibilities, particularly regarding training. It helps provide a secure environment for your puppy, facilitates housebreaking, discourages destructive behavior, and creates a comfortable, den-like setting where your pet may feel comfortable.

This article will guide you through step-by-step crate training for your puppy. From picking the perfect crate to introducing your pet to its new environment, we'll cover everything you need to know to guarantee a smooth and enjoyable experience. If you are patient and consistent, crate training may help encourage good behavior and establish harmony in your house. Let's make crate training enjoyable for you and your dog.

11 Steps to Crate Train Your Puppy 

Depending on your dog's age, temperament, and past experiences, crate training may take several days or weeks. There are a lot of ways to crate-train your puppy. This is an easy and viable way to establish authority and command. Stay tuned, and don’t panic about how to crate-train, as we’ll describe all the proven ways to crate-train your puppy.

1. Create a Positive Association

Begin by being patient and persistent. You must be patient and persistent to help your dog understand that it’s the palace and that it must stay there. Don’t rush or forcefully introduce your dog to the crate.

Slowly introduce the crate. Give your dog the freedom to investigate the crate. You can spray scents that attract dogs and make them comfortable.

2. Use Commands and Cues

Once your dog has a positive association with the crate, it will understand and listen to your commands and cues to be in the crate. This should be lovable but authoritative. After your dog obeys your command, give it its favorite snack and a small portion of dog treats or meat.

Start using a cue word. When you want your dog to enter the crate, use a command like "crate" or any suitable word.

3. Start with Short Sessions

When your pet can understand your cues and be in the crate with your command, it’s time for the next step. Put your furry friend in the crate for a short period. Remember, you have to be patient in this situation. 

You should let your dog stay there willingly. Even if your dog stays there briefly, don’t rush and force the dog. Be gentle with the procedure. As your dog gets more comfortable, gradually extend their time in the crate during your visits.

Maintain positive sessions; use praise and treats to ensure your dog is content and comfortable in the crate.

4. Nighttime Crate Training

If your dog has reached a point of comfort and has remained there for a short amount of time, the moment has come to lengthen its stay in the crate.

It is easy to train your furry friend to sleep in the crate. Keep the Crate Close by To help your dog feel safe, place the crate in your bedroom or nearby.

Limit your dog’s water intake before bed to reduce late-night toilet breaks.

5. Gradual Absence

Once your dog is comfortable staying in its crate for longer periods, start training it to stay there in your absence. 

Don’t let the dog assume you are watching when it’s in, or you are there to make sure it is it. It has to accept the cage as its den.

Step out of the room. Once your dog is at ease spending a brief time in his crate, let him out of the room briefly.

Monitor their actions as you gradually extend your absence to ensure they don't lose their composure. Don’t forget to give it treats to associate its experience with positive enforcement.

6. Taking Care of Barking and Whining

Step six is to avoid focusing on unnecessary, attention-seeking barking and whining once you've completed previous tasks.

Ignore attention-seeking whimpering. Don't give in if your dog is whimpering for attention since this will reward the habit.

Attend to sincere needs. If your dog constantly barks or whines, see whether it needs to go outdoors.

7. Keep Crate Time Positive

After completing all six stages, your next difficulty will be maintaining your canine companion's environment and making crating time positive. One of the most crucial measures is to maintain a happy time in the container. 

Offer interactive toys/something to make them happy. While your dog is in the crate, keep him or her entertained and distracted with puzzles or chew toys.

Change its toys. Switch the toys regularly to keep pups and dogs interested and avoid boredom.

8. Be Consistent

The next stage is to be consistent in the previously described steps. The essential key is routine. Establish a pattern for entering and exiting the crate during crate time.

Make the crate a secure location. Ensure the crate is connected with your dog's protection and positive reward rather than punishment. 

9. Gradual Increase of Crate Time

After being consistent and putting in your efforts, the following procedure is to increase your pup's crate time gradually.

Practice creating at home. As your dog becomes used to being in their crate, keep them in for an extended time when you're at home.

10. Avoid Negative Associations

Congrats! If you've completed all the stages, your dog can now stay in the crate independently. Your aim now is to prevent the dog from developing a negative connection with the container.

When you increase the length of time your dog spends in his cage, never use it as punishment. Make sure the crate is safe for your dog; using it as punishment might cause dread and anxiety.

11. Monitor Progress

The last step is to monitor the activity and how your dog accepts the changed landscape.

Techniques should be adjusted as needed. Return to shorter crate periods and progressively resume training if your dog exhibits indications of anxiousness.

Celebrate tiny victories. Appreciate each small improvement and value your dog's comfort and flexibility.

Why You Need Crate Training?

1. For Comforting Space

A cage provides your puppy with a private, comfortable area. It serves as their den, providing safety when they need it or feel stressed.

2. Good Travel Opportunity

Traveling with your dog is safer and easier when they are in a crate. A crate ensures your dog is safer and calm while traveling, whether by vehicle or airplane, reducing distractions and injuries.

3. Avoiding Unexpected Occurrences

The crate will keep your dog from unexpected interaction with other pets or animals. It will also save your dog from accidentally chewing or biting any harmful things like snails or other people’s property.

4. To Keep It Silent Or Calm

When you have a well-cage-trained dog, it won’t be misbehaving. A curious dog will bark or do crazy things, but when it's in the cage, it won’t be doing so cause it will be relaxed cause the cage is its den.

5. House Training

A dog never poops in it’s sleeping area. If your pup has a good resting place in the cage and every time it has to go out for relief, it will be house-trained.

6. Prevents Separation Anxiety

Not every dog has separation anxiety. It’s very rare but not uncommon. When your dog has a good mental space in the cage, it’ll never feel anxious while you are gone.

What Should be Noticed When Choosing the Crate?

Before choosing a crate, you must consider the dog's size. The cage should be easily washable, have a good dog-proof door hinge, a good rug or blanket, and enough space to contain a food bowl. It should also be leak-proof and strong enough to hold your dog in.

How to Prepare a Dog for Cage Train?

1. Introduce Dog to Crate as a Safe Place 

Make the crate an inviting place. Place a soft bed or blanket there, and give your dog a toy to play with. Keep the door open, and reward and appreciate every time your dog willingly enters.

2. Supply Regular Meals 

Provide food and treats inside the cage. This action builds trust in the long term. Your furry companion will understand and relate this palace to comfort and safety. Though your house is its shelter, the crate will be its den.

3. Familiar with Door Closing 

Let the dog be familiar with the environment and accept the crate as its own. Close the crate gradually. Don’t force the dog to accept it as its resting place.

4. Test It For Different Situations 

Introduce your dog to different situations, like when you are busy or going out, to make the crate comfortable. Give your dog plenty of time to be there, even if you are in the house. Go for a walk or drive and put your canine companion in the crate. This will build more trust and comfort for your pet staying in the crate.

5. Used for Overnight Crating

Use it as your dog’s sleeping place. Put a good rug or carpet or mat inside so the crate is a comfy palace. Also, put a food bowl in the cage. Limit water intake before sleeping time. 

6. Leave It Alone for Short periods 

While training your dog for the crate, leaving it alone in the room with the crate is essential. Let the furry friend accept the cage as its domain.

FAQS:

How Long Does it Take to Crate Train?

It depends on the breed and age of the dog and how it’s been trained to accept and obey your command. It usually takes 3-4 weeks for pups, and it may take 4-6 weeks for adult dogs.

If Puppy Cry, Then Should I Worry?

If your puppy is in discomfort, you should worry, but if it is crying and just wants your attention, don’t pay any attention; it’s normal.

Which Part of The Day Should I Cage it?

Cage it for resting time, meal time, and short absences. Put your dog in there when it’s sleeping or will be sleeping.

Is it Cruel to Crate a Dog at Night?

Once your dog is ready for the crate, it’s not cruel cause the dog will be there even if the cage door is open.

Until What Age Should a Dog Sleep in a Crate?

If your dog has no problems or injuries in the crate, it’s not an issue. If your dog outgrows the crate and wants to be there, just get a bigger one.

Where to put the Kennel Cage?

Place the cage in a comfy place with no confinement that is easily accessible.

Conclusion

The main idea for crate training is to make your dog more obedient. Be patient and open about it, and make your dog more comfortable and easy on the crate. You aim to establish the crate as a resting and guarding palace for the canine companion. Follow all the instructions above, and you’ll have a crate-trained puppy. The main idea is to make your puppy comfortable with the crate. Provide food and other necessary training as mentioned above. Best of luck to you and your furry friend.