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163 Ways to Improve your Puppy’s Crate Training

Accurate crate training can be a good help if you need to leave your puppy alone for a few moments or want to help him to get some rest.

There are some easy steps you can take to get your puppy used to the crate quickly. With the right approach to crate training, your puppy will learn to love the crate.

This article provides you with 163 ways to improve your puppy’s crate training and teaches you how to properly crate train your puppy.

Left on their own puppies can get in a lot of trouble. Crate training can help you to keep an eye on him and let him get some rest. Puppies learn quite fast because they are still young. They are not set in their ways, yet and are open to new things. The sooner you start crate training, the quicker it will become normal for the puppy to spend time in the crate.

The idea behind crate training is to strengthen a natural instinct all puppies have. They are den animals and look for small places to shelter. 123Tinki.com can teach you how to correctly crate train your puppy and answer any question you might have. The most important thing is to be prepared, so do your research and learn everything there is to know about crate training a puppy.

  1. The crate helps to keep an eye on the puppy and keep him out of trouble
  2. Young puppies are quicker to get used to the crate
  3. Crate training is not difficult if you are well prepared

The idea behind crate training is to strengthen a natural instinct all puppies have.

What is crate training a puppy

The term ‘crate training’ is a type of dog training where you teach your puppy to enjoy spending time in his crate. Another word for crate training is kennel training. It can help to prevent certain behavior, like destroying things or peeing in the house and is often used by dog owners who have to leave their dog at home alone for a few hours. Crate training describes the process of slowly letting the puppy get used to the crate and taking small steps in getting him to stay in the crate. Crate training should not only be done when you are gone but can also be handy when you are at home. This way the puppy will not make a connection between being in the crate and being alone, which would be bad.

It helps the puppy to calm down and take some rest, which is extremely important for young puppies. The goal is that the puppy enters the crate by himself and will not stress even when the door is closed. The crate is supposed to be a safe and comfortable place for the puppy. You ultimately want the puppy to enjoy staying in the crate. One thing the crate is not is puppy storage. It is not meant as a place where you can put the puppy when you don’t want him around. Especially young puppies can get annoying, so think about this before you get a dog and be aware of the fact that you will just have to deal with the fact and can’t just dump the puppy in his crate whenever you want.

  1. Crate training turns the crate into a safe space
  2. The puppy should have a positive association with the crate
  3. Take the crate training slow
  4. The crate is only a temporary solution and not meant for long-term stays
When to start crate training a puppy

You might be wondering if you can already crate train a puppy or at what age to crate train a puppy. You can start to prepare the crate training even before the puppy comes to live with you. Do your research so that you know exactly what you need to do once the puppy moves in with you. Good preparation is crucial because once the puppy comes to live with you, you will probably not have the opportunity to sit down in peace and read about it. You will have to know everything at the point your puppy comes to live with you. Crate training actually means to strengthen a natural instinct the puppy already has. Dogs are den animals and use small dens for protection and shelter. Crate training makes use of this and aims to teach the puppy that the crate is his safe place. Another reason to start crate training as early as possible is that you can use the puppy’s curiosity. Young puppies want to discover and learn everything.

You can make use of that by letting them discover the crate on their own while they are still young. Just put the crate in your living room, for example, and the puppy will sooner or later go and discover it on his own. Put some treats or toys into the crate so that the puppy will reward himself when he goes inside the crate. It is easier to crate train a young puppy than to wait until the dog is older. So you should try to teach your puppy all the things you want your adult dog to be able to do. The only limitation to starting crate training is the development of the puppy. You obviously can’t crate a puppy for longer than he is able to hold his pee, so start with short periods of time and only slowly extend them. The main objective should be to have as few accidents as possible. You might have to take it very slowly in the beginning, but in the end, you will be rewarded with a crate-trained puppy.

  1. Research crate training even before the puppy comes to live with you
  2. The earlier you start crate training, the better
  3. A puppy’s curiosity helps to get familiar with the crate
  4. Try to teach the puppy all the things you want the adult dog to be able to do
  5. You can start using the crate as soon as the puppy has some bowel and bladder control
  6. In the beginning, the main objective is to have as little accidents inside the crate as possible
Do you have to crate train a puppy?

Ultimately, it is your own decision whether or not to crate train your puppy. It is not absolutely necessary for raising a puppy, but there are several reasons why it might be a good idea. Crate training reinforces a natural instinct that domesticated dogs preserved from their ancestors. Dogs are den animals and seek out small caves for shelter and to feel protected. The crate plays into this and is supposed to be a safe place for the puppy.

Is a crate cruel? Locking the puppy up in a cage seems cruel!

There are people that claim locking up a puppy in a crate is cruel. And there are instances where they are right. Just locking up a puppy would be cruel and inhumane, it would probably cause the puppy to panic and there might even be long-term problems stemming from being locked up in a cage. But this doesn’t apply to crate training. The crate is not cruel or inhumane per se. Only misusing the crate is. The puppy needs a good crate training in order to feel comfortable and be able to relax in the crate. With the right training, the crate becomes a safe haven, a shelter where the dog know he is safe and can relax. Dogs like having their own space and with the right training, they will love the crate. So while the crate can be used in an inhumane way, crate training is most definitely not cruel.

Experts recommend the crate as a training aid

The advantages of the crate are recognized by experts and the crate is often advised as a tool to redirect unwanted behavior. It can help anxious dogs to feel more secure and if you have a dog that likes to chew on objects it can help to redirect his chewing towards appropriate toys or chewing snacks. The most important thing with crate training is to do it slowly and step by step. You need to let the puppy set the pace in order to benefit from the advantages. With proper crate training, the crate will ultimately become the puppy’s safe place. A place where he can relax and will not be bothered. He can get some quiet time there and take a nap and it offers him a place to unwind from new experiences. It is also a good aid for house training and teaching the puppy the rules of the house.

The crate also keeps the puppy safe when you can’t keep an eye on him. He will not develop certain bad behaviors if he is inside the crate and can’t get in trouble. It will protect him from himself and also your possessions from the puppy. There are certain instances where the dog might have to stay in a crate later in his life. For example when you can’t take him on vacation and want to board the dog at a boarding facility. It could also become necessary for the dog to stay at the vet overnight.

Then he will most likely have to stay in the crate. It will be much more comfortable for the dog if he is already used to stay inside a crate. Crates are also often used for travel. Keeping a dog in his crate when you travel by car will be much safer and it can help the puppy to settle down during the ride. If you are taking the dog on an airplane it is even mandatory to keep him inside a carrier. For small dogs, this is a small carrier that fits under the seat in front of you and big dogs have to stay in a special airline approved dog crates that are transported in the plane’s cargo hold. This will be a lot less stressful for any puppy that is already crate trained.

With crate training, the puppy learns to calm down and relax when he is in the crate. It can be a handy tool when you want the puppy to relax. When the puppy learns to relax in his crate he will subsequently a lot quicker to calm down every time he has to go in there. If you want to be able to put the puppy in the crate you need to do crate training and that takes time. Never just put him in the crate and lock him up.

  1. Ultimately, it is your own decision whether or not to crate train your puppy
  2. Crate training plays into a natural instinct from wolves who are den animals
  3. Crate training is not cruel, only misusing the crate is
  4. Crate training can help the puppy to feel safe
  5. The crate becomes a spot where the puppy can unwind from new experiences
  6. Never just put the puppy in the crate and lock him up without crate training
  7. Crate training can speed up the house training process
  8. The crate can help to teach the puppy your house rules
  9. The crate can keep the puppy safe when you can’t keep an eye on him
  10. The crate makes sure the puppy can’t destroy anything when you are not there
  11. It’s good preparation for when the puppy has to be boarded or stay a night at the vet
  12. The crate is handy for transportation in the car and even mandatory for air travel
  13. The puppy will learn to settle down quickly when he is in the crate
  14. Crate training helps to prevent the development of bad behavior
What to expect when crate training a puppy

In order to not encounter unpleasant surprises, you should be well prepared for your puppy’s house training. In the beginning, there will probably a lot of crying and barking. And you will just have to deal with it. The puppy was just separated from his mother and his siblings and everything is new for him. Of course, he is going to feel lonely and scared. If you put your puppy in the crate during the night he will probably cry a lot during the first couple of nights. The worst thing you could do is taking the puppy out of his crate to stop him from crying. Because that will teach the puppy that crying will get you to open the door. If you endure it for the first couple of nights it will quickly become less and the puppy will learn that crying and barking won’t get him anywhere. However, expect to be getting up a lot during the night, at least in the beginning. The puppy is still young and doesn’t have full bladder and bowel control yet. So you will have to take him outside regularly throughout the night.

The short nights in the beginning will eventually pay off when you end up with a crate trained puppy. You can also expect the crate training to be a great bonding experience for you and your puppy. You spend lots of time together training and you can celebrate the moments of success, how small they may be. Make sure to make some time to spend with your puppy as well. He will quickly grow up, so enjoy the puppy phase while you still can.

  1. The puppy will probably bark and cry a lot in the beginning, and you will just have to deal with it
  2. Puppies need to pee a lot, so you will also have to get up during the night
  3. The short nights will pay off when you end up with a crate trained puppy
  4. Crate training is a great bonding experience for you and your puppy
How to crate train a puppy

There are different approaches to crate training a puppy and no two puppies are the same. You will have to find out the best way to crate train your own puppy. However, 123Tinki.com provides you with all the information you need. The goal of crate training is to let the puppy create a positive association with the crate. This will ultimately turn the crate into the puppy’s happy place where he feels safe. Domesticated dogs are descendants of wolves, who are den animals. So staying in a small confined space comes somewhat instinctively to them. With crate training, you try to play into this instinct and strengthen it. Dogs like to keep their sleeping spot clean and always try not to soil it. So crate training can be a good help with house training the puppy.

The crate

Obviously, the crate plays a big part in crate training the puppy. There are certain things you need to take into account when you choose and place your puppy’s crate. You need to choose the right crate and you need to think what you should put in the crate. There are certain conditions a good dog crate has to fulfill. It needs to be the right size and it needs to have some features to make the crate suitable for the dog. There are also certain things you can put into the crate to make crate training easier and help the puppy to feel comfortable. You learn everything about the perfect crate for crate training later in this article. A crate cover or a blanket can also help to make the crate feel more like a den, the dog feels more protected and secure in his crate if some of the sides are covered.

Use treats and toys to make the crate more attractive

The first goal should be to foster a positive association with the crate. You can put treats and toys in the crate so every time the puppy enters, he will reward himself with something nice. This will help the puppy to connect the crate with something nice. He starts to like the crate and will also approach it on his own. At this point, you should just casually introduce the crate without trying to get the puppy to enter. Just put the crate in a spot where the puppy spends lots of time and leave the door open. Secure the door of the crate so that it can’t move, otherwise, it might startle or even hurt the puppy. Reward the puppy for every approach of the crate, even if he just walks a few steps towards it. At this point, anything is great. More adventurous puppies will probably start to approach the crate on their own and might even put their head into the crate. Make sure there are a few treats or toys in the crate to reward the puppy. Never push or pull the puppy in the direction of the crate, any negative experience can destroy the progress you make and cause long-term problems with the crate. As the puppy gets more comfortable with the crate you can put the treats further in the back so that the puppy can only get to them if he completely enters the crate. Try not to make a big deal out of it, the goal is to let the puppy perceive the crate as something normal.

Meals are only given in the crate

Once the puppy is comfortable to walk in and out of the crate, you can start to feed his meals in there. With regular mealtimes, he will start to spend a bit more time in there and the food will take his attention away from the fact that he is inside the crate. It will quickly become normal to him. Mealtime inside the crate will foster the puppy’s positive association with it. He learns that it is a safe place where no one will bother him. If you started with teaching your puppy basic commands, you can also let him execute commands inside the crate. When he is inside the crate, ask him to lie down or to sit.

This will also help the puppy to feel more comfortable being inside the crate and it is a great strategy to increase the time he spends inside the crate. After doing this a couple of times without a problem, you can start to try and close the door on the puppy. Do it while he is busy eating and open the door before he is done. He will probably too preoccupied with his food to start complaining about the closed door, but he will definitely notice. Do this a few times and move on to open the door a little bit later every time. Make sure to do it before the puppy starts complaining and reward him with a treat if he calmly stayed in the crate. If the puppy starts to cry and bark you have waited too long with opening the door and should aim for a shorter period of time next time.

You should avoid opening the door when the puppy cries and barks. He might think that his barking and crying made you open the door and he will do the same next time you put him in the crate. Only open the door if the puppy is calm and relaxed. Also control your own behavior when you open the door. You should not be too excited in praising the dog. Let him know that he did well with a ‘good job’ and a treat, but don’t focus on it too much. In the beginning you, should try to put the puppy in the crate often but only for short amounts of time.

Keep the door closed for longer

Once you get the idea that the puppy gets comfortable in the closed crate, you can slowly start to keep the door of the crate closed a little bit longer. Also, make sure to scale down the treats. Start giving him less so that he won’t expect one for every step he takes towards the crate and will also be able to stay in there without constant rewards. If you keep the puppy in the crate you should make sure there are distractions. You can give him a toy or a chewing snack. This will help him to focus on something different than being locked in the crate. Crate training can’t go faster than house training, obviously. Take the puppy outside for potty breaks immediately after leaving him out of the crate. This will help to teach the puppy that he is supposed to pee outside. Make sure not to leave him in there for too long, dog crates are only a temporary solution and should never be used for long periods of time. Happy dogs need stimulation and exercise, keep that in mind.

Never use the crate as punishment

The crate should only be used after proper crate training and never as a punishment. The wrong use of the crate is cruel and inhumane. It can lead to anxiety and other psychological problems. Without proper crate training, the puppy will not learn to see his crate as a safe space. Every time you put the puppy in the crate it will feel like he gets locked up and he won’t calm down. He needs to properly learn that a crate is a safe place before you can learn it as such. In the middle of the night when your puppy has kept you awake, you might be tempted to shake or punch his crate in an attempt to get him to settle down. This will not work and only aggravate the situation, the puppy will feel even more insecure and that won’t help him settle down. During this period you need to be patient and believe that it will get better. Because it does! The puppy will ultimately learn that crying and barking will achieve nothing. He will get used to the crate and settle down when you put him in there. With patience and perseverance, you will ultimately crate train every puppy!

The crate is only a temporary solution

Once the puppy is crate trained it doesn’t mean that you can just put him in there anytime you want and for long periods of time. The crate is always only a temporary solution. It is not a storage option for an annoying dog. So be aware of this before you get a puppy. Dogs need lots of time and attention, that is just the way it is. So make sure to either plan your schedule around the dog or to get help. You could ask family and friends to spend some time with the puppy and take him out of the crate while you are gone. There are also professionals you can hire to take care of your dog, so that is an option if you need to be gone a lot.

Things to avoid with crate training

It is understandable that you as a person have developed certain routines. This is completely normal but when it comes to training your puppy it can really stand in your way. Try to stay conscious of the things you do before you leave. Maybe you are always picking up your keys first or turning off the television if you are getting ready to leave the house. This getting ready routine will help your dog to anticipate when you are leaving and it is better to avoid this.

Something else that is best to be avoided during crate training is returning your puppy’s enthusiasm at your arrival. When you return home, do not respond to your puppy’s enthusiasm. Walk past the crate first, ignore your puppy. If you immediately take your puppy out of his crate and greet him, your puppy will connect this to his enthusiasm.

So each time your puppy is enthusiastic and trying to call you, he will achieve success if you actually open the door. It is your puppy’s way of saying ‘please open the door now!’. Being inside the crate, you returning home, you leaving the house, it all has to become normal. It is not a big party when you arrive home and it is not a disaster that you have to leave, it is all completely normal.

Your puppy has to think of th crate as a safe place, a nice place. If you leave the house each time you put your puppy in his crate, it will be harder for your puppy to always enjoy his stay inside the crate. Your puppy will connect staying inside the crate with you leaving and this way it will become harder and harder to put him in the crate each time. Also put your puppy in his crate once in a while during training while staying in the same room yourself. This way you will teach your puppy that staying inside the crate is good, it is his own place and he can relax in peace.

Another thing that is better to avoid is to only crate train inside your own house. After all, you might want to use the crate in other places later as well. For example when you have to visit the vet or you are traveling somewhere far. Your puppy will have to learn that his crate is a safe place, no matter where it is. Of course, this is a further step you can take. Once your puppy is able to stay inside the crate at your house, you can try crate training with distractions around or in a different environment. This way you are slowly building the intensity of the training and are teaching your puppy a crate is a safe place anywhere.

This should always be your main focus; teaching your puppy that his crate is a safe place. Your goal is to give your puppy his own place that he is completely comfortable in. A place where he knows he will not be bothered and can completely relax. To empower the importance of this, make sure everyone in your home knows about this. Do not let your children approach your puppy when he is in his crate. Set rules. When the puppy is inside the crate, we do not bother him. This will help to teach your puppy the same thing. If your puppy then does want attention, he will come out himself.

  1. Most important is that the puppy builds a positive association with the crate
  2. Put him in the crate often but only for a short time while you are in the same room
  3. Dogs instinctively try to keep their sleeping spot clean
  4. Use blankets and toys to make the crate more comfortable
  5. A crate cover or blanket can make the crate feel more like a den
  6. Use treats as a reward for approaching the crate
  7. Use distractions, like a Kong filled with treats and snacks
  8. Take the puppy outside to pee immediately after you take him out of the crate
  9. Puppies need enough potty breaks, food, water stimulation and company
  10. Never use the crate as punishment
  11. Stay patient, some puppies need longer to be crate trained
  12. You need to be consistent, never reward the puppy’s whining and barking
  13. Plan your schedule around the puppy or get (professional) help
  14. Only take small steps when crate training your puppy
  15. Avoid a getting ready routine
  16. Never bother the puppy in his crate
  17. Scale down the treats
  18. Crate the dog when you are home so he doesn’t associate it with you leaving
  19. Teach your children how to approach the crate correctly
How to crate train a puppy fast

Remember that crate training a puppy takes time. Training a puppy in general takes time, your puppy will not be delivered to you completely well raised and all. Besides that, your dog needs to learn your rules. Something you do together. Although crate training takes up time there are a few things you can do so the puppy will get used to the crate fast.

The first step is to introduce the crate slowly. Keep it casual and normal. Simply put the crate in the living room or place in the house where it will stay. Do not make it special, your puppy has to learn that a crate is a normal object and he does not have to stress over it.

By putting toys and treats inside the crate you will make the crate look more appealing. Your puppy will actually want to approach and go inside the crate to discover it. By doing so your puppy will also automatically be rewarded with the positivity of the treats and toys. You do not have to force your puppy either, he will smell and see treats and approach it on his own terms. Crate training is a continuous process, by putting your puppy inside the crate whenever he falls asleep elsewhere you can help and speed up this process a little. The best thing about it is that it will teach your puppy that sleeping and relaxing is done inside the crate.

When putting your puppy in the crate, give him something to do. Make sure your puppy is able to distract himself from the stress or anxiety he might feel when having to stay inside these first few times. You can give him a treat, chewing toy or stuffed animal to keep him busy. Your puppy will then also enjoy the stay inside the crate much better because he is able to keep himself occupied. A bored puppy will be a whiny puppy so prevent this by giving him something to do!

If you do feel like the crate training has to be done fast or it seems that your time to train is limited, make sure that you do spend every minute possible on the crate training. Whenever there is time to train, so also at times you do not have to leave the house, practice the staying inside the crate. Give it all your time and attention.

  1. Crate training takes time
  2. Introduce the crate slowly, simply put it in the living room
  3. Put some treats and toys inside the crate to make it more appealing
  4. When your puppy has fallen asleep somewhere else, put him in his crate
  5. Keep your puppy distracted or busy while he is inside the crate, give him food, toys or chews
  6. If you have a limited time to crate train your puppy, make sure you spend all of your free time on the crate training
Crate training a puppy during the day

When crate training your puppy during the day it is best to stay with your puppy as much as possible. After all, at night your puppy already has to be by himself so it is best to not leave the house too much. Especially in the beginning, give your puppy time to get used to everything. Do make sure you practice often but do not make these moments too long. In the beginning, it is best to only put your puppy in the crate for a short while, while also staying in the same room yourself. Your puppy will know you have not left but will learn that staying inside the crate is completely normal and not stressful. Use a lot of treats and toys to empower these positive associations and make the crate as comfortable as possible. Just like you want the comfiest bed for yourself as well, give your puppy a lovely spot too. Use blankets and stuffed animals to decorate the place, make it as attractive as possible to help your puppy get used to the crate faster.

  1. Stay with your puppy as much as you can
  2. Practice crate training as often as possible but do not put your puppy in his crate for too long
  3. Stay in the same room as the crate in the beginning while your puppy is inside it
  4. Reward often and make the crate as comfortable as possible
Crate training puppies at night

The crate is such a handy tool for training. Besides have to train the crate first, it will be a very helpful place for you to teach your puppy other things as well. If your puppy is comfortable in his crate and knows it is a safe place, your puppy will be able to calm down quickly at night as well. Besides that, you are assured of safety as well. Leaving your puppy in his crate while you go to sleep gives you the reassurance that your puppy cannot get into trouble or danger. Which makes it a calm and comfortable night for everyone involved. Start from day one with training, also during the night. It helps to get your puppy used to the crate and staying there at night quickly.

Crate training a puppy on the first night

Realize that your puppy still needs to adjust to this new life without his brothers, sisters and his mother. Understand that your puppy misses them and feels lonely. You can help your puppy by recreating the feeling of his siblings. Put a hot water bottle and stuffed animals in the crate. Your puppy can cuddle up to those to feel safe and covered. During this first night, it is also a very good solution to put the crate beside your own bed. Your puppy will know you are close and will not feel so lonely.

Remember to take your puppy outside during the night a few times as well. This will prevent your puppy from crying or howling because he has to pee. Still needs to adjust to life without mother and siblings

Crate training puppies at night

As mentioned before, your puppy is still adjusting. Your puppy still has to learn it all first, keep that in mind. A young puppy will not be able to hold his pee for a very long time and will need to be taken outside a few times during the night. After about 4 months your puppy will be able to sleep through the night without having to go out to do his business.

In the beginning, you can place the crate next to your own bed. This will be very helpful because then your puppy is able to see, hear and smell you. Your puppy will feel less lonely and more secure, it helps to replace the feeling of his mother and siblings that he was so used to. Because it is so important that you do take your puppy outside a few times, set an alarm. Especially if you are a heavy sleeper. You will be too late if your puppy has already started whining. You can slowly expand the period in between the walks, little by little. Eventually, the goal is to get your puppy to sleep through the night but do not force things too much.

If you do not want your puppy to sleep in your bedroom you can slowly move the crate towards his permanent sleeping spot each night. Put the crate at the end of your bed on the third night, near the door on the fifth night, in the hallway on the seventh night etc. Do this slowly until you reach your puppy’s sleeping spot. It is best to get this done in the first week so your puppy does not get used to sleeping in your bedroom. If you have other dogs they can come in really handy. They will show your puppy that sleeping in the hallway or whatever the final sleeping spot is, is completely normal. Keep your puppy close to them so he does not feel isolated and can follow the example of the older dogs.

Enough exercise and stimulation during the day will help to get your puppy tired, this will cause your puppy to fall asleep easily and to also not stay awake after a walk at night either. If your puppy is awake and trying to get your attention, do not give him any. Even negative attention is attention so do not talk to your puppy, shake the crate or anything else. Ignore it, even if it is 3 in the morning. Do not let your puppy push you into reacting.

Make sure that your puppy will not see his midnight potty breaks as exciting activities. Simply go outside, wait for your puppy to pee and take him back inside. Do not play with each other, keep it normal to show him that during the night there is no time for playing or cuddling. To make sure you do not have to go out at night too often, take your puppy outside right before you all go to bed. Make sure it is the last thing you do. Also, his dinner should be a couple of hours before, so he will poop on his last walk before bed and not during the night. Some people decide to not have any water inside the crate so the puppy will not have to pee as much during the night but that is completely up to you.

  1. The crate is also a great tool to help your puppy to calm down and gives you reassurance that your puppy is safe
  2. Imitate your puppy’s siblings and mother with a hot water bottle, blankets and stuffed animals
  3. Take your puppy outside a few times throughout the night
  4. Remember that your puppy still has to learn it all
  5. Place the crate next to your own bed during the first night
  6. Eventually, you want your puppy to sleep through the night so extend the period in between potty breaks slowly throughout the nights
  7. If you have other dogs, keep them close to your puppy during the night
  8. Enough exercise and stimulation during the day helps the puppy to fall asleep faster at night
  9. Do not react to your puppy’s crying or howling, negative attention is also attention
  10. Do not make the potty breaks at night too exciting, go to sleep again immediately at your arrival home
  11. The last thing you do before going to bed is letting your puppy outside to pee
When crate training puppy crying at night

A crying puppy will be quite normal during the first few days. Your puppy is still adjusting, has to get used to everything. Your puppy will feel alone or scared and does anything to always have you close. Do keep in mind that is often also because he is trying to test you. What will happen if he cries? He will literally do anything to get you back. This makes sleepless nights a given fact, not a possibility. Other puppy owners will be able to confirm that sleepless nights are simply common and you should prepare yourself for them. By keeping your puppy in the crate but beside your own bed during the first night, you will be able to prevent the crying a little. When your puppy does start to whimper you can simply make yourself heard, smelled or felt and your puppy will relax.

Since your puppy’s bladder will also still be really small and untrained, your puppy will let you know through crying that he has to pee. When this happens it is important to not let your puppy fool you. If you just took him outside and he does start crying again, do not fall for his pleas. He is simply trying to get you back.

By not spending too much attention on the potty breaks but showing them that they are normal and quick, you help him to fall asleep again. Show your puppy that potty breaks during the night are only necessary, not a fun activity and after we all go back to sleep immediately. If you do let your puppy out each time he makes a noise your puppy will only learn that this helps to open that door. That whining helps him to get out and that is not what you want. The best way to stop your puppy from crying is focussing on a good crate training and to take small steps. Build slowly and your puppy will get used to his crate quickly.

If you make his crate as comfortable as possible, with stuffed animals, a blanket and a hot water bottle, your puppy will feel more secure and safe. You will recreate the feeling of his siblings and mother a little which helps your puppy to not feel so lonely. It can definitely help to calm a stressed or upset puppy down.

After checking all of these things and making sure your puppy is as comfortable as possible, which basically means your puppy has absolutely no reason to cry, and your puppy is still crying or howling? Then the bottom line is to simply ignore him, how hard it may be.

  1. Accept that your puppy will be crying during the first nights alone
  2. A crying puppy could be a sign that he has to pee
  3. If you always take your puppy out of his crate when he makes a noise he will start using this to get out of the crate
  4. To get your puppy to stop crying during the night as quickly as possible, a good and patient crate training with small steps is necessary
  5. Make the crate as comfortable as possible with blankets, toys, stuffed animals and a hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of his siblings and mother
  6. The best remedy for a crying puppy in his crate is to ignore him
Crate training a puppy crying

What a crying and whining puppy does mean is that you probably left your puppy in the crate for too long. If this was still a really short amount of time, you will still have taken a too big of a step. The importance of crate training is taking small steps. Besides that it is also really important to never open the crate when your puppy is still crying, this will only confirm his cries. Try to listen closely, find a moment at which your puppy seems calm and then open the door. If it does sound like your puppy is crying out of panic and distress and his cries sound really alarming, you left your puppy in for too long. You went way too fast and now your puppy is in panic. When this happens, you will have to take a step back and leave your puppy in for a shorter amount of time on the next try.

This still makes it even more important to only open the door when your puppy is calm and to not give his pleas any attention. Negative attention is still attention so do not shush him or approach him, ignore his pleas. Show your puppy that staying calm is the only way the door will open. If your puppy starts whining and barking when you are approaching the crate, go back. Do something else in the same room and try again when your puppy has calmed down. Stay patient, it may take a while until your puppy understand what he has to do.

  1. A crying puppy can indicate that you left him in his crate too long
  2. Do not open the door of the crate when your puppy is barking or crying
  3. Only open the crate when your puppy is calm
  4. If your puppy starts barking again as soon as you are approaching the crate, stop and start doing something else in the same room until your puppy is quiet again
How to crate train a puppy with separation anxiety

A puppy with separation anxiety can be really difficult but it will never have to be a permanent problem. There are always things you can do. If your puppy seems to have separation anxiety, take in mind that his crate can actually be of really big help. If your puppy is left to roam free around the house at night or when he is alone, the house could feel too big. Your puppy could feel anxious about having to guard such a big space. By letting him stay inside the crate he will feel more secure and comfortable.

Leaving your dog in a crate for too long can actually cause the anxiety. It is important to realize that a dog crate is always a temporary measure and it should never be used for long stretches of time. If your puppy already has developed separation anxiety the crate can help to stop destructive behavior. Though it can help, it will not solve the problem. If your puppy seems to panic or very distressed inside the crate it is wise to get professional help.

  1. A crate can actually prevent anxiety
  2. If your puppy is left to roam around the house he could feel overwhelmed with having to guard such a big space
  3. Your puppy needs to learn that you will always return
  4. If your puppy already has separation anxiety the crate can stop destructive behavior but it will not solve the problem
  5. If your puppy seems too panicked in his crate every time you try to train, look for professional help
Crate training a puppy who hates it

Your puppy’s crate should never be used as punishment, it should always be a safe place. A puppy that hates crate training will probably have had a negative experience with the crate or does not feel comfortable in it. To guide an treat this as best as possible it is important to never let your puppy stay inside the crate for too long. After all, your puppy also needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation which he will not get by staying in a crate all the time. Leaving a dog in his crate for too long can also develop anxiety and depression. Something you really do not want your puppy to endure.

Your puppy needs to learn a lot still, which happens slowly but gradually. If your puppy seems panicked at some point, he was in the crate for too long. Panic can also be a clear sign that you need to get professional help. Which is completely okay.

Start practicing with the door open first. Let your puppy get used to the crate and do not force anything upon him by closing him in immediately. If your puppy does hate the crate then this is an absolute sign of using the crate wrong. You might have used as a punishing tool, a long-term confinement or isolation. These are things you really ought to avoid. There is no way a puppy will hate his crate if he showed that the crate is a comfortable and safe place at all times.

Do not push the crate training too far by putting your puppy inside it many times a day. Only practice a few hours, divided throughout the day. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is just putting the puppy in the crate and simply leaving him there locked up. You need to train, carefully. Start very simple. Leave a deconstructed crate in the place first. Let your puppy get used to the touch and smell of the new object. Do not make a fuss about it yourself or push the puppy to approach the panels. Simply leave it, show your puppy it is a normal object. If your puppy is already executing a few command well and feels happy about training those with you, you can let your puppy execute those commands inside the crate. For example, try to practice the command ‘sit’. When this goes well you get to reward your puppy and your puppy will be really happy while sitting down inside his crate. It will really help him to get used to it.

  1. The crate is never a punishment, it should always be a safe place
  2. Do not leave a dog in the crate for too long, every dog needs exercise and mental stimulation
  3. Take it slow
  4. If your puppy panics again, you went too fast
  5. Panic can be a good sign that you need professional help
  6. If your puppy hates the crate, you used it wrong
  7. Only crate your dog for a few hours a day
  8. Start with a deconstructed crate in the middle of the room first, teach your puppy that it is completely normal
  9. Teaching your puppy commands and letting him execute those in the crate will create positive associations with the crate and helps the puppy to get used to the crate
Crate training a puppy in an apartment

It could, of course, be the case that you are living somewhere that does not have immediate access to the outside or the space you have is limited. Always try to put the crate in a calm spot without direct sunlight. Make sure the spot is draft free and there aren’t any doors nearby that get closed and opened a lot. Maybe you need to rearrange some furniture as well.

Crate training is a good aid to house train a puppy in an apartment. The way outside might take a bit longer so by keeping your puppy in the crate you are able to prevent accidents. Besides that, crate training will also be a very good aid when you have another dog as well. By crate training your new puppy, your new puppy will not immediately become dependent on the older dog. You teach your puppy that the crate is his own space and you will teach him to be alone. If not doing this it could become a big problem each time the two dogs have to be separated.

  1. Always put the crate in a calm spot without any direct sunlight or doors that get opened and closed a lot
  2. You might have to move around some furniture to put the crate in the best position
  3. Crate training is very beneficial to the house training when living in an apartment

How to crate train a puppy with other dogs in the house

Crate training, when you own several dogs, is very important but it can also be of a lot of help. The first rule is very simple, only allow one dog in the crate and make sure they all have their own personal place. If you don’t want to crate your older dog, put the crate of your puppy in a separate room. It will be really hard for your puppy to see the older dog roam free around the house. As your puppy gets used to the crate more, you can put the crate in a shared space.

Especially in the beginning, do not leave your two dogs alone in the same room. They are not used to each other yet and even though you started crate training it might cause problems between them. Separating them in the beginning is not a bad thing. After a while, you will notice that they have gotten used to each other more and then it is safe to leave them alone together.

By offering your new puppy a crate and keeping him safe there, you are also offering your older dog a bit of privacy. It will help to give your older dog a nice break from the new, excited young puppy.

  1. Never put two dogs inside the same crate
  2. If your first dog is not crated and you do not want to crate him, put your puppy’s crate in a separate room
  3. As your puppy gets used to the crate more you can put the crate in a shared room with the other dog
  4. Leaving your two dogs in the same room together right from the beginning can be dangerous, they are not used to each other yet
  5. Putting your new puppy in a crate can also be a nice break for your older dog to get away from the exciting puppy for a bit
Where to put the dog crate

It is important that your puppy’s crate is in a calm area and that this place is close to where you spend most of your time. This could be that during the day the crate should be in the living room and at night in your bedroom. You could carry the crate but you could also buy two.

Other things to check about the place where the crate stands are; making sure it is out of direct sunlight, the place is free form draft and it is not near doors that are constantly being opened and closed. Your puppy is supposed to use this area as a place to get rest.

  1. Make sure the crate is in a calm spot in the house
  2. Put the crate somewhere close to where you usually are
  3. You can keep the crate in your bedroom during the first nights
  4. Make sure the crate is not in any direct sunlight and free from draft
  5. The crate should not be close to any doors that are constantly being opened and closed
  6. The crate area is for your puppy to get his rest
What to put in puppy crate

Make sure your puppy’s crate is as comfortable as possible so he is able to relax. This can be done by putting in a blanket and a few toys. At the start of the crate training, you can put treats inside the crate as well. Each time your puppy enters the crate by himself he will be rewarded with treats!

Offering your puppy fresh water at all times is important. It is smart to get a bowl that you can attach to the crate, to prevent your puppy from knocking it over. Everything else you put inside the crate should be safe as well. Nothing that can be accidentally swallowed, chewed upon while it should not be chewed on or is so small that your puppy could choke on it.

  1. Make the crate as comfortable as possible with blankets, toys and a hot water bottle
  2. Your puppy should always be able to reach fresh water, you can buy special water trays that can be attached to the crate
  3. Everything inside the crate should be safe, make sure your puppy cannot chew on it or accidentally swallow something and choke on it
Choosing the best dog crate

Getting the right crate is also an importance that should not be overlooked. The crate of your puppy should be well ventilated, not too hot from any covers or closed panels. There are different types of material that the crate can be made up off. The crate could be made of plastic, the small ones you often see on airplanes. These are handy for traveling, to the vet for example. It could also be the crate is made from fabric that is being held on a frame, these can easily be folded up and put away if necessary. And then of course there are the kennel like, metal crates. These have perfect ventilation but harder to carry when traveling.

A puppy should always be able to access fresh water, you can buy special bowls that can be attached to the crate. If you have a crate but feel like it needs a bit more coverage in order for your puppy to feel secure, you can also put a blanket or special crate cover over the crate.

  1. The crate should not be too hot, it has to be well ventilated
  2. You can get crates in different materials, choose something that is the most suitable for you
  3. You can put a crate cover or blankets over the crate to make the puppy feel more secure and protected
When crate training a puppy how big should the crate be

The size of the crate, of course, depends on the size of your puppy. Your puppy should be able to lie down, sit, stand, turn around and stretch out inside the crate. Though it is important to not get a crate that is too big as well. If the crate is too big your puppy could use a corner of it for peeing. It is understandable that you do want a bigger crate now if your puppy is of a bigger breed. Your puppy is going to grow a lot and buying a new crate each time he grows out of the one he has, will be expensive. If you do decide to buy the bigger crate that your dog will also fit in once he is older, you can use panels to form the crate into a smaller space. This could also be done with a simple piece of cardboard. Too many accidents inside the crate will lead to the puppy getting used to doing his business inside the crate and that is of course not something you would like to see happening.

  1. Your puppy needs to be able to lie down, sit, stand up, turn around and stretch out inside the crate
  2. The crate should not be too big otherwise your puppy could use a corner of it to pee in
  3. You can buy an adult crate and use division panels or cardboard to make it smaller
Crate training a puppy while at work

Crate training a puppy takes time and effort, you will have to be consistent especially in the first couple of weeks. When deciding on getting a puppy you should also plan a few weeks off from work. Maybe this did not work out for you but if you do want to train your puppy as successfully as possible it is important that you are free from any commitments, at least for the first few weeks. Keeping up the crate training while you have to leave for work the whole day will be really difficult. Your puppy has a small bladder and will have to be taken outside a lot. You will not be able to do so while you are away at work. Besides that, even a grown dog needs enough stimulation and exercise during the day so can also not be left alone for a complete day. A young puppy cannot be crated for hours so leaving your puppy in there for so long while he is still young is not an option. If you do really have to leave for a long time, try to puppy proof a special room or set up a puppy pen.

A puppy pen needs a designated potty area, you can create this with newspapers or puppy pads. Inside the pen, there should also be fresh water, food, toys and a sleeping spot. This puppy pen is not good when you want to house train a puppy so it is really a last resort if you cannot be there for your puppy.

It is important that you dedicate all your free time to the crate training. Try to organize company or a puppy sitter if you really have to leave. This is always better, it is not good to leave your puppy unsupervised or to confine the puppy.

  1. Crate training a puppy takes time and consistency, you should take time off work or try to work from home in these first few weeks
  2. Crate training successfully while you are away at work the whole day is really hard
  3. Puppies have small bladders and cannot be left alone for a long time
  4. Dedicate all your free time to crate training
  5. Organize company for the puppy as much as possible, it is not good to confine the puppy without supervision
How to crate train a puppy video youtube

Youtube is a great source if you need more help. Many videos on there could help you but it is good to use this in combination. Written content will provide you with more background information and the videos can actually visually show you what to do. Videos also provide clear instructions that are often shown step-by-step. Tinki Academy offers you this combination of video instruction and elaborative written background information.

  1. There are many videos that can help you but a combination with written content is best
  2. Written content provides background information
  3. Videos provide instructions that are easy to follow
  4. Tinki Academy offers a combination of both
Crate training a puppy schedule

One thing that you can be sure of is that most puppies do not follow schedules. It will be useless to plan everything ahead if your puppy is about to disturb it all anyway. Of course, puppies do develop a routine eventually and you can plan around that. You can plan when you give the meals and to stimulate the crate training, give these meals inside the crate.

Whenever your puppy falls asleep, put him inside his crate. This stimulates the crate training a lot as well. Instead of trying to force a schedule upon your puppy, try to plan the training around his needs. Puppies strive on structure so eventually, you will find a pattern. Focus on what your puppy is able to handle. Maybe your plan is to take further steps in the training but your puppy is not as far yet. Then it is best to adapt your pace to that of your puppy’s. Of course, you can follow certain steps but sometimes they need to be repeated before moving onto the next. Be patient and focus on your puppy’s needs.

The puppy crate training of Tinki Academy provides these steps and can help you to execute the crate training well.

  1. Puppies do not follow schedules, trying to plan everything to the dot is useless
  2. Eventually, your puppy will develop a routine and you can plan around that
  3. Give your puppy his meals inside the crate to stick a minimalistic schedule
  4. Stick to a pace your puppy can handle, do not force a schedule upon your puppy
  5. You can find steps for crate training in the Tinki Academy
How long does crate training a puppy take

You cannot really tell how long a crate training will take, there are too many factors that influence the length of this training. On the one hand, it depends on the dog. The dog breed and the dog’s personality can have an influence on the house training. The next factor is the breeder, if he already started, you will have an easier time with the puppy’s house training. Lastly, it also depends on you, the more time and effort you put in your puppy’s house training, the quicker he will become housebroken.

It can always happen that the training is set back by something. Maybe you have to open the door even though your puppy is crying because you just cannot wait. Or maybe your puppy is accidentally left inside for too long because you got held up. These things can happen and that is just the way it is. Keep going and eventually, you will get there, together with your puppy.

Some puppies might only need several days, others several weeks before they are able to stay inside the crate for a few minutes. In general, it will take about 1 to 3 weeks until a puppy is able to stay inside the crate comfortably for a bit.

Crate training will go faster if you stay home with your puppy a lot. Having to leave your puppy alone for long times immediately will make it harder. For example, if you have to go to work during the week, you will only have time to practice the training on weekends. Accept that it will take a bit longer if this is the case.

  1. A lot of things influence your puppy’s crate training, focus on your puppy’s pace
  2. It could be you leave the puppy alone for too long and cause a set back in the training, take a step back and work your way up again slowly
  3. Some puppies need several days, other a few weeks
How long should a dog be in a crate

Especially young dogs should not be left in a crate for too long, they need to go out for potty breaks as well. Besides that, every dog, no matter the age, needs enough mental stimulation and exercise throughout the day. Staying inside a crate all the time will not give a dog enough stimulation. Dogs are pack animals, they need contact otherwise they get stressed.

A crate should always be a temporary solution and a training aid, focus on spending more time outside the crate than in it. Just because there are ways to calculate how long your puppy can stay in his crate, does not mean he should actually stay in that long. You can estimate that for every month your puppy is of age, he can spend one hour in the crate + one extra hour. So a 4-month-old puppy should be okay for about 5 hours. This is a really long time and it is better not to keep your puppy in for that long. Besides that, the house training also has a lot of influence. If your puppy is not able to hold his pee for 3 hours, he will definitely not be able to stay inside a crate for 5 hours. Especially if your puppy has just moved in with you, is still very young and you just started the crate training. Do not expect too much yet.

A crate is not a storage place for an annoying puppy, be aware of this before you get a dog. Simply stuffing your reckless puppy inside a crate is never an option. If your puppy seems to be annoying there is always a reason for his behavior, get to work with that.

  1. Especially young dogs cannot be in too long, they will have to pee more often
  2. Dogs need stimulation and exercise, they cannot be in a crate all day
  3. A crate is always a temporary solution or training aid, never a long time confinement
  4. There is a rule that says a dog can be inside the crate an hour for each month he is of age, plus one extra hour. This is still a very extensive and long amount of time that can only be seen as an exception when there is no other solution
How to crate train a puppy for housebreaking and what to do if he poops and pees in the crate

Crates are extremely useful tools for the house training. Dogs will instinctively never litter their own bed/sleeping area. Unless your puppy was really not able to hold it in any longer, an accident could happen. By using a crate you will be able to train your puppy’s bladder little by little as well since he will probably never pee inside it.

It is also easier to keep an eye on your puppy when you are using a crate. Your puppy will not be able to sneak into another room and do his business there. If your puppy does pee or poop inside his crate, he will not be properly crate trained yet and you have probably left him inside the crate for too long.

Every time you open the crate to let your puppy out, take him outside immediately. Give your puppy the opportunity to do it well and go potty in the right places. While doing so, always keep rewarding and praising your puppy. A positive approach always works best.

A puppy that pees and poops inside his own crate will almost always be a mistake of the owner. The puppy has been left inside the crate for too long, was not taken outside to do his deeds there and has not been crate trained properly yet. If you find it hard to discover the reason for your puppy’s behavior, getting professional help is always a good option and completely okay.

  1. Crates are a great tool for house training
  2. Puppies will instinctively try to avoid peeing in their own bed
  3. Pooping and peeing inside the crate means the puppy is not crate trained yet
  4. Lots of praising and rewarding are always the best way to go
  5. Take your puppy outside to do his business every time you take him out of his crate

When to stop crate training a puppy

The time at which you will be able to leave your dog to roam free around the house depends on so many things. First of all, it depends on the development of the crate training itself and also the trust you have. If you trust your puppy to be left alone in the house, you can, of course, stop crating him. Do not remove the crate yet, if you crate train your puppy well he will actually enjoy his crate a lot. Simply leave the door open so he can go in himself.

The goal of the crate training is that your dog is able to stay in the crate completely relaxed and also enters the crate on his own terms happily. Adult dogs that are properly raised should be fine without having to be confined in the crate. Besides that, a dog is usually a part of the family and does not need to be locked away all the time.

If you crate train your dog properly he will retreat to the crate by himself. You can slowly decrease confining him and increase his freedom. Do make sure that the room let your dog roam free in, is puppy proof. To protect your own belongings but also to protect the puppy himself.

If you do not want to keep confining your puppy in a crate but also do not want him to roam free around the house yet, you can first use a puppy pen or some puppy gates and barriers.

  1. Crate your puppy until you trust him to roam around the house
  2. Your goal is to have your puppy reside in his crate calmly
  3. A dog is usually a member of the family and should not be locked up in a crate all the time
  4. After proper training, the dog will probably retreat to crate by himself
  5. Slowly decrease the confinement and increase his freedom
  6. When you decide to let your puppy roam free for the first time, make sure the house is puppy proof
Can you crate train an older puppy?

Of course, you can! On 123Tinki.com we believe that dogs can learn at every age. It might take more time because the dog is not used to a crate but it is definitely possible. Older dogs might have developed a routine and are a bit more set in their ways, this is why training or teaching new things can take a bit longer. Young puppies are also often fearless and dive straight into things, older dogs can hold back a bit more. If you want to crate train your older dog you simply follow the same steps and keep in mind that you have to give your dog the time to get used to new things.

  1. Of course, you can crate train an older dog! We believe dogs keep learning their whole life
  2. It might take a bit longer but it is definitely possible
  3. You follow the same steps and principles as the crate training for puppies from the Tinki Academy
Who to crate train a puppy

Of course, it could be possible that you are not able to crate train your puppy yourself. Maybe you have tried and feel like it was unsuccessful or maybe you feel like you do not have the time or resources to it properly. You can start asking around first. Maybe there are other puppy owners in your neighborhood that are willing to help you or maybe you are able to find just exactly the right tips and tricks on the internet. There are also professional behavior specialists that can help you. These can therapists or trainers and they might know exactly what is holding you and your dog back from executing the crate training successfully. Never be afraid to ask for help, you cannot do everything on your own and no one expects you to do so either. Help is always good.

  1. If you can’t manage yourself start by asking people around you and maybe use resources on the internet
  2. There are professional trainers and therapists that specialize in puppy behavior
Crate training a puppy tips

The last of our tips we still have to help you start and execute the crate training as best as possible.

  1. Start early, the longer you wait the harder it will be for your puppy to get used to his crate
  2. Take it slow. Watch your puppy and let him set the pace, do not force your puppy to do things he is not ready to do
  3. Avoid distress and panic. If your puppy becomes panicked or stressed during the crate training, you went too fast. Avoid this by letting your puppy set the pace
  4. Always make sure the step you are on is mastered completely before going on to the next step. Do not force your puppy to go faster than he can
  5. Only put your puppy in his crate when you are there in the beginning. Do not immediately leave the house or the room on the first try
  6. Give your puppy a command that means he has to go into his crate, each time he enters the crate. You will slowly teach your puppy this new command and he will later be able to enter the crate when you say the word
  7. Always make sure your puppy develops a positive association with the crate. Positivity is always the way to go
  8. Exercise or play around with your puppy before putting him in his crate. You will create a bigger chance of him falling asleep and his stay in the crate will be comfortable and relaxed for him when he is sleeping
Tinki

Written by Tinki in Raising a dog

123Tinki.com

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