Once your puppy is comfortable eating in their crate, try closing the door once they are done. Slowly work up to leaving the door closed while you step away.

Avoid yelling or disciplining your dog in their crate, as it creates negative associations. Ignore whining, as it could indicate they need to go outside.

Use a Crate

When looking for puppies for sale, you need to prepare crates first. Crates can help puppies feel secure and provide a place to go when tired, nervous, or stressed. They can also keep them from chewing things like electrical cords or your new shoes when they’re not being supervised.

Begin by creating your pup for short periods while you’re in the room. Gradually increase the time you leave them in the crate and close the door. Stop the training and toss a treat outside the crate to reset them if they start vocalizing.

Use a clicker or marker word to signal when they move into or toward their crate. This is known as shaping and will reinforce the behavior. Eventually, you can say the cue, and your pup will automatically go into their crate.

Set Up the Crate

When you first bring home your puppy, have them explore their crate on their terms. Keep the crate door fixed open so they can come and go as they please. Reward them if they go inside (you can use food or their favorite chew or toy).

You can temporarily close the door as they get comfortable with the crate. Again, be sure to reward them and keep increasing the amount of time you spend away from them.

Don’t yell at or pound on the crate door if your puppy whines when you shut them in. This will only reinforce the behavior. If your puppy constantly complains, consult a trainer to see what may cause their behavior.

Give Your Pup a Crate Door

When your puppy is comfortable in the crate, try closing the door during feeding time. Start with one minute and then gradually increase the amount of time. If your pup whines to be let out, you may have grown the time too quickly and should go back to a shorter period.

When you close the crate door, toss some treats inside and let your dog enjoy them. Continue tossing in the treats and a lightly stuffed, busy toy until your puppy is comfortable walking into the crate to get their reward.

Next, please leave them in the crate for short periods while playing with their toy or food puzzle. If they whine about being let out, you may have increased their crate time too quickly and should go back to crate training steps one through four.

Give Your Pup a Crate Toy

Once your puppy has become comfortable with the crate, you can give them a special toy to keep them happy inside. Choose toys your pup enjoys playing with or chewing, and ensure they are safe for your dog to have in their crate. If they begin to chew or nibble on the toys, you may need to change the type of toy you have them using.

You can then start leaving them in the crate for brief periods and gradually increase the time you leave them there. Once they are comfortable alone in the crate, you can even leave them crated overnight or while you’re gone for short periods. Always give your dog a potty break before and after they’re in the crate.

Let Your Pup Sleep in the Crate

While some people may think crating a puppy or dog is cruel, this confinement keeps your pup safe from electrical cords, shoes, and anything that could be harmful if left unattended. It also helps with housetraining as dogs associate their crates with sleeping.

Once your pup is comfortable with the crate and eating in it, you can start leaving him alone for short periods. Use a cue word, like “Kennel up,” to tell your puppy when it’s time to enter the crate and give him a treat as soon as he walks inside.

Always take your pup outside before you put him in the crate at night to prevent accidents. Also, never leave your puppy in the crate longer than necessary at night because this can promote separation anxiety.

Give Your Pup a Treat

The best way to make the crate feel like your dog’s special place is to reward them in and around it. This can be done by letting them enter the crate independently, keeping it open and rewarding them whenever they do so, or feeding their meals inside.

Once your dog is comfortable with these things, you can leave them in the crate for short periods and even let them sleep there at night. It’s essential to train your pup for these scenarios without putting too much stress on them, which could cause them to become whiny or anxious about being confined in the crate. This can be accomplished by introducing them to the crate calmly and gradually over several days or weeks.

Reward Your Pup

If you praise your pup for entering the crate alone or just looking at it, they will start seeing it as a safe space. Avoid using scolding or punishment inside the crate, as this can lead to fear, anxiety, and a negative association with the crate.

After your dog is comfortable entering the crate and eating meals inside, gradually close the door briefly while you are still in the room with them. Start with a few minutes and build up to longer durations over time.

Try rewarding your puppy with food or a favorite toy if they enter the crate independently. Also, ensure they have access to water – unique bowls for metal crates and non-spill water bottles are available for fabric crates.