How to Crate Train a Puppy
Let’s be honest. “Crate training” often conjures images of a frantic puppy howling in protest—especially if you’ve heard conflicting advice about forcing the puppy to stay inside until they stop barking.
While some methods may promise quick fixes, they can damage the puppy’s trust and create negative associations.
With the right approach and a patient mindset, crate training can become a positive experience that helps with potty training, safety, and even relaxation.
At Urban Pawsibilities, we’ve seen how crates can reduce anxiety, prevent accidents, and even strengthen your bond. Read on to learn how to make the crate a sanctuary.
Why Crate Train a Puppy?
Here are 5 reasons why you should crate train a puppy:
For Potty Training: Confining a puppy to a correctly sized crate encourages them to hold it until you take them outside. Pups naturally avoid soiling their immediate resting area—making it easier for you to predict when they need a bathroom break. You can check this blog for more tips on potty training a puppy.
Safety: When you can’t supervise every moment, a secure crate prevents the puppy from chewing cords, tasting houseplants, or finding other trouble.
Relaxation & Naptime: Puppies need plenty of rest, and crate time can encourage them to settle. Over time, the crate becomes a cozy spot for naps and self-soothing.
Preparing for Groomer or Vet Visits: Many grooming salons and veterinary clinics use kennels. A puppy who’s relaxed in a crate at home often adjusts more easily to short stays elsewhere.
Preventing Undesirable Behaviors: By managing the puppy’s access to the whole house, you reduce opportunities for them to rehearse behaviors you’d rather not see—like chewing on table legs or shredding cushions.
How to Crate Train a Puppy (Step by Step)
1. Choose the Right Spot
Place the crate in an area where the puppy feels part of the family’s daily life. If the puppy will be sleeping in the crate at night, consider putting it near your bed so they don’t feel isolated.
Some Common Crate Options
Plastic Crates: Often quieter and more “den-like,” which some puppies find comforting.
Wire Crates: Easy to fold up, often less expensive, and can be covered with a blanket for privacy (but watch for puppies who might chew on the bars). These can work if your puppy isn’t a heavy chewer.
Keep in mind: Size matters! Choose a crate that allows the puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably—but isn’t so large that they can potty in one corner and sleep in another.
2. Make It Inviting
Leave the door open and drop a few treats or favorite toys inside. You can also include a blanket that smells like you. Let the puppy explore at their own pace rather than forcing them in.
During our first attempt at crate training, we made the mistake of shutting the door immediately and leaving the puppy alone in the dark. She was so scared that she learned to associate bedtime with “jail time.” Had we known better, we would have spent the first few days letting her wander in and out freely.
3. Offer Meals in the Crate
Feed your puppy meals or special snacks (like a stuffed Kong) inside the crate. This helps them form positive associations. Keep the door open initially—allowing free movement in and out.
4. Teach a Cue for Entering & Exiting
Use a fun cue like “crate!” or “go in!” while pointing or tossing a treat inside. When the puppy steps in, praise them calmly. Avoid yanking or pushing them in; you want this to feel like a game.
5. Close the Door Briefly
Once the puppy is comfortable going inside, close the door for very short intervals (a few seconds to start) while you sit nearby. Provide a delicious chew or toy. Open the door while the puppy is calm and comfortable, gradually extending the duration with each repetition—and always finish on a positive note.
6. Build Duration Gradually
Increase crate time in small increments—30 seconds, then a minute, then a few minutes. Stay close so the puppy doesn’t feel abandoned. Continue offering safe chews or stuffed puzzles to keep the puppy occupied.
7. Introduce Short Absences
Once the puppy can stay content for several minutes with you nearby, try stepping out of the room for just a minute or two. Return calmly—avoid big emotional greetings that might reinforce anxiety about separation.
8. Let the Puppy Out When They’re Quiet
Aim to release the puppy during a calm moment rather than when they’re whining or barking. This teaches them that relaxed behavior, not noise, leads to freedom. Use a pet camera to monitor stress signals (whining ≠ “crying it out”—they might need a potty break!)
Troubleshooting Common Issues with Crate Training
Puppy Screaming in the Crate: Check if they need a potty break. If they’ve recently gone outside, it could be too much crate time too soon. Go back a step and reduce the duration or stay closer during crate time.
Puppy Peeing in the Crate: The crate might be too large—try adding a divider so they can’t potty in one corner and nap in another. Make sure the puppy has frequent bathroom breaks—most pups need to relieve themselves every 2‑3 hours. If accidents still happen, a pet‑camera check‑in can reveal whether anxiety or previous habits (such as puppies raised in tight quarters who learned to potty where they sleep) are contributing factors, so you can adjust your plan accordingly.
Puppy Still Dislikes the Crate: Sometimes the specific crate style is the issue. Some individuals prefer plastic crates; others do better with wire or soft-sided crates. If crate training continues to feel stressful, consider using a baby gate to section off a safe room temporarily. You can revisit crate training later at a slower pace—and remember, despite the common “den‑animal” myth, some dogs simply do better in an exercise pen or larger puppy‑proofed area instead of a crate. If you’re unsure which setup is best, reach out to us for personalized guidance.
Crate Training is a Partnership, Not a Prison
I did all the wrong things when trying to crate train my first dog. I forced her inside, shut the door, turned off the lights, and went to bed—only to spend weeks listening to her cry all night.
She soon started hiding under the bed whenever she saw me pick up the TV remote because she realized that meant crate time was coming. It took months to repair the damage, but we eventually got there. Now, she happily trots into her crate at the softest whisper of ‘crate’—proving it’s never too late to rebuild trust.
Crate training is about giving your puppy the tools to feel secure. Some dogs take days; others need weeks.
If you need more help, our team at Urban Pawsibilities offers private sessions and group classes tailored to each puppy’s unique personality. We believe in empowering dogs, not “fixing” them. Here’s to fewer crates slammed shut and more tails wagging inside.
