Crate training your dog

Overview

• The aim of crate training is to provide a safe, comfortable space for your dog to relax, sleep, or retreat to when they need downtime.
• Crates can be beneficial for sleep, travel, recovery after surgery, unsupervised time, and new environments.
• It’s important to choose an appropriate crate for your dog, then kit it out with soft bedding, a water bowl, and make sure it’s in a quiet, draught-free location.
• Reward-based training at your dog’s pace will ensure your dog associates their crate with safety and comfort.
• Dog crates should never be used as punishment or for longer than three hours at a time (less if your dog isn’t used to it).

Benefits of crate training your puppy or adult dog

The main aim of crate training your puppy or dog is to give them a safe space of their own. Introducing a crate positively and slowly will make sure it’s a place where your dog feels safe and comfortable. Remember, your dog’s crate is their space so don’t disturb them when they’re in it, and never use it as punishment.

The benefits of crate training include:

• Provides a safe, comfortable space for your puppy or dog to relax, sleep, and retreat to when they need downtime, rest or feel uncomfortable in a situation.
• Can be used while travelling or in a new environment for example, while on holiday they still have a familiar space they can retreat to.
• Can be used for rest and recovery after surgery.
• Can be used as a safe place to leave them when you eventually build up to leaving your puppy or dog unsupervised.
• It can stop other people from disturbing your dog when they need space or rest.

What do you need to start crate training?

1. The crate

When choosing a dog crate, consider the following:

Crate type:

• Wire crates: durable, sturdy, and well-ventilated. Ideal for most dogs, especially active ones. Can usually fold down when not in use.
• Fabric crates: less durable than a wire crate but lightweight and easy to fold away. Usually used for travelling. Not suitable for puppies or dogs who like to chew things. Can be trickier to clean.

Size:

• The crate should be tall enough for your dog to stand and sit without touching the top.
• It should be wide and long enough for your dog to turn around, lie down, wag their tail and stretch out fully.
• Make sure there’s enough space for a comfy bed, water and food bowls, and some toys.
• For puppies – choose a crate based on their adult size or increase crate size as they grow.
• Tip: too big is better than too small.

2. Bedding

• Use soft, comfy bedding like a duvet or mattress that covers most of the crate floor, with space left for bowls. For extra comfort, you can extend bedding up the sides. Aim to have something you would be happy to sleep on yourself.
• A blanket over the top and sides (leave the front open) can make the crate cosier by helping to block out noise and draughts.

3. A good location

• Place the crate in a quiet, draught-free spot, out of direct sunlight where your dog can see everything and feel part of the family, but also have a calm space to relax.

How to crate train a puppy or adult dog

Our vets have put together a step-by-step guide to help you crate-train your dog:

1. Set up the crate
   • Set up the crate when your dog isn’t in the room, so it’s less intimidating for them.
   • Secure the door open at this stage, so there is no risk of them getting trapped inside
2. Introduce the crate
   • Place treats or kibble inside the crate and let your dog explore it freely with the door open. This will help them feel safe as they know they can come and go.
   • If your dog seems worried, start by dropping treats near the entrance of the crate. Keep going until they build confidence to go inside.
3. Reward them exploring in the crate
   • Have treats ready to reward your dog when they enter the crate. Keep giving them treats while they’re inside and give them extra if they show calm behaviours like sitting or lying down inside it.
   • If your dog leaves the crate, stop dropping treats and wait. Don’t call or lure them in.
   • Once they return, drop treats again.
   • When possible, drop treats in when your dog isn’t looking. This way, they associate the crate with positive feelings, not just getting treats from you.
   • Do this until they are totally comfortable coming and going from the crate.
   • Practice this several times, at different times of day
4. Offer chews or toys
   • Once your dog is comfortable with their crate, give them a long-lasting chew or toy inside it to help them associate it with something enjoyable. This will also encourage them to spend longer inside relaxing.
5. Close the door gradually
   • Once your dog is comfortable and choosing to spend time inside their crate with the door open, gently close the door (but don’t lock it) for a few seconds.
   • Over the next few days, slowly build up the time you leave the door closed while you’re in the room.
   • After several days, if they remain relaxed, start locking the door for short periods while you stay in the room.
   • When you open the door, offer your dog a choice to exit, if they choose to stay in, reward this with a treat. If they decide to leave, that is also fine - don’t punish or reward this behaviour.
   • Start to engage in your own normal day-to-day activities while the door is closed. This teaches your dog that it’s okay for them to stay in their crate while you’re doing something.
   • Remember you can continue to offer them a tasty chew, drop in a treat and give them some praise when they’re relaxing in their crate.
6. Leaving the room
   • Once your dog is happy and relaxed in the crate with the door locked, start by leaving the room for short periods – start with a few seconds and gradually build up from there. Offer them a long lasting chew or toy to occupy themselves.
7. React to signs of worry
   • If your dog shows any signs of distress, like whining or scratching, go back to the previous stage and build their confidence before moving on.
   • Never rush the process.
8. Keep the door open
   • When not actively training, secure the crate door open so your dog can come and go with no risk of them getting trapped inside.
9. Eventually leave the house
   • Once your dog is comfortable with you leaving the room, gradually build up to leaving the house for short periods.

Top tips

• Always provide water: Make sure your dog always has access to water in the crate.
• Use treats wisely: If using treats, reduce their daily food allowance by 10% or use their regular food as treats.
• Go at your dog’s pace: Every dog is different, so let them progress at their own speed and don’t rush crate training.
• Never use a crate for punishment: Don’t use the crate to punish or leave your dog for long periods - they need to feel safe and comfortable in it.
• Separation anxiety: Getting a dog used to spending time alone is really important –if you think your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, speak to your vet or a certified behaviorist for advice. Crates should not be used to manage separation anxiety without professional guidance and every dog will need a more holistic approach to support them to become confident spending time alone.
• Limit alone time: Never leave your dog in the crate for more than 3 hours, and be aware that some dogs may not tolerate even that long. Make sure they’ve been fed, exercised, had playtime and gone to the bathroom before leaving them alone.
• Respect their space: The crate is your dog’s safe space - not a play area. You should be able to reach into the crate to give your dog a reward or food for example but it is important for everyone (adults and children) to know that the crate is your dog’s safe space and not for playing in.
• Provide alternative places to rest: Puppy-proof the rooms they have access to and offer multiple resting spots. The crate should be just one option.
• Bad previous experiences: If your dog has a negative association with the crate or isn’t making progress, this may be because of a bad previous experience or another behavioural problem such as separation anxiety. Slow down the training and get help from your vet or a certified dog behaviourist.

As long as you are using positive, reward-based methods, you should make progress, but crate training takes time (usually a few weeks minimum), so be patient and go at your dog’s pace to ensure they feel safe and confident in their crate. If you’re having any trouble training your dog, speak to a certified dog behaviourist or your vet.

FAQs