If you’ve just brought home a new puppy, potty training is probably high on your list of priorities. But what if there was a way to simplify the housetraining process and help your puppy feel calm and secure at the same time.

It’s true—and it’s all about crate training.

It’s the process of helping your puppy learn to spend time in their crate—and ultimately, to adopt it as their own personal space in your home. Crate training taps into your pup’s natural inclination to keep their sleeping space clean—they’re less likely to go potty where they hang out and sleep.
Using a crate has benefits beyond just potty training, too; it also helps to keep your puppy safe and out of mischief when you’re not around to supervise them, plus it provides a comfy retreat when household hubbub gets overwhelming and your pup wants to relax.

But there’s more to crate training a puppy than simply putting them in the crate and closing the door. Dogs need to gradually adjust to spending time in their crates, with lots of positive encouragement from you. Rush the process, and you’ll risk causing your pup stress and anxiety, which can create negative associations with the crate that can be difficult to overcome.

So how do you crate train a puppy, and what do you need to know to get started? Here’s your complete guide to crate training a puppy that covers:

• • • Benefits of crate training
    • What you will need
    • Where to put crate
    • Step-by-step crate training guide
    • Tips & tricks for crate training
    • Shop recommended puppy crate training essentials

Your dog’s crate might look like a basic enclosure to you, but if used correctly, it’ll become one of your puppy’s favourite places to be (aside from your lap, of course!). Here’s how crates can help both you and your pup:

• • • Giving your puppy a safe space: Picking an appropriately sized crate and taking time to gradually introduce your puppy to it will help them consider the space a comfy refuge. Dogs typically prefer protected areas when bedding down, so a crate can tap into that natural inclination to rest in a safe space.
    • Encourages potty training: One of the biggest benefits to crate training is that it helps streamline the housetraining process, since most pups won’t soil where they sleep.
    • Keeping your pup (and your stuff) safe: Successful puppy raising is all about supervision, but the reality is that most pet parents can’t watch their pup full-time. Once again, crate training saves the day! Left to their own devices, most puppies will chew anything they can get their teeth on, but a crate helps to keep your curious pup safely apart from your things (and vice versa) when you’re not able to keep an eye on them.

Some puppy parents worry that “locking their dog up” in a crate could be cruel, but the reality is far different. Yes, it’s true that one benefit of crates is that they keep your dog contained (and out of mischief). But when used properly, your dog’s crate won’t feel like a cage. In fact, it’ll feel just like home! The trick is to introduce the crate gradually, without rushing your puppy to adjust to it before you leave them in it alone. Let them settle into the crate on their own terms, and your puppy will repay you with calm and happy crate time for years to come.

If you want your dog’s crate to become their happy place, you’ve got to make sure it’s just right for them. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. The right crate - once you start to look at crates you will find there are lots of options. Choosing the right crate for your own pup isn’t difficult once you consider:

• • • • Type of crate: There are two types - hard plastic airline-style crates, like the Petmode Airline Carrier, or wire crates like the Yours Droolly Dog Crate. Most pups can learn to be comfortable in either type, but wire crates have more versatility when it comes to door placement and customizing the interior.
      • Correct size: Your puppy crate should be large enough so that your dog can stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably, but not much bigger. Although it’s tempting to purchase an oversized crate to give your pup more room, doing so can derail the potty-training process by giving your pup the space to go to the bathroom at one end while staying dry at the other.

Pet parents with large breed pups can anticipate their pup’s growth by purchasing the largest sized crate their dog will need when they’re fully grown and using an adjustable crate divider to keep the available space inside the right size.

2. Bedding - this will keep your dog comfortable, but avoid extra-plush dog beds, which might absorb urine and make it difficult to tell if your dog has had an accident inside. Some puppies may be tempted to chew up or destroy overstuffed bedding when left in the crate, too. Something simple like the Brooklands Sleeper Mat or Yours Droolly Dry Fleece is a good choice for pups still getting used to the crate.

3. Toys - puppies are non-stop, so helping them chill out in the crate can be a challenge. That’s where busy toys come into the picture. Give your pup something to play with before being left alone, this can help them drift off to sleep easier. Interactive toys that can be filled with treats like the KONG Classic or a West Paw Zogoflex Small Tux are tough enough to stand up to sharp puppy teeth and keep them entertained for awhile. You can also play fetch or a game tug o'war.

4. Treats - Tasty snacks are an important part of the crate introduction process (and any other type of training you want to do with your pup). Small treats, like Royal Canin Educ Dog Treats, help reinforce the idea that good things happen inside the crate.

The perfect spot for a puppy crate is a location that’s quiet enough for your pup to rest but not so far off that they’re isolated from the household (so the garage or the basement are out). A corner of the living room, dining room or other area where family regularly gathers is an ideal location.

Crate location is particularly important at night, since young pups often need to go out for a potty trip at least once before morning. You’ll want to put the crate close enough to your bed that you can hear them ask to go out—and somewhere easy for you to get to, so you don’t have to fumble around in the middle of the night. If keeping the crate in your bedroom isn’t an option, consider using a baby monitor near the crate so you can hear when your pup needs a potty trip.

It can be helpful to purchase two crates, especially for pet parents with larger dogs who require oversized crates that aren’t easy to move around. Keep one in the common area where your pup will hang out during the day, and one where they sleep at night.

One of the secrets to training success is giving your pup plenty of time to feel comfortable inside the crate before closing the door and leaving them alone for the first time. The goal is for your pup to have a positive association with being inside, so that the crate feels like a safe and comfortable resting spot—and you can’t rush that feeling.

Remember the steps below aren’t meant to be done all in one day. Spend as much time as you need on each step to ensure that your puppy feels content and stress-free. That’s how you lay the foundation for a lifetime of looking forward to their crate. Ready to dive into crate training? Here’s how it’s done...

1. Introduce the Crate
Start off the crate training process by keeping the crate door open and letting your pup explore it at their own pace. Toss a treat or toy inside and praise your puppy when they go inside, then give them a treat while they’re in the crate. You can also entice your puppy with a busy toy stuffed with treats—anything to make that crate as appealing as possible! Stay happy and upbeat as your puppy explores the crate, making sure to give lots of praise when they go inside. At this stage, keep the door open.

Practice this step as many times as necessary for your puppy to get comfortable in the crate. The choice to go into the crate is up to your pup - don’t force them if they seem reluctant. If your puppy is hesitant to go inside, you can give treats to reward baby steps in the right direction, like if they glance at it or take a step towards it. These small successes will encourage your pup to keep it up! If they don’t get close to it, simply leave the treats or toy inside for them to collect when they’re ready.

2. Practice Closing the Door
Once your pup has made a positive association with going into the crate, they’ll be ready for slightly longer sessions inside. First, have a play session with your puppy and take them outside for a potty break—that’ll help them settle down when it’s crate time. Then, provide a lightly stuffed busy toy for them to enjoy inside the crate. Stay nearby as they enjoy the goodies, and experiment with closing the door while your pup is enjoying the toys and treats inside. Let your dog out right after they finish the treats, or at any barking, whimpering or pawing at the crate that might indicate they want to come out. Again, keep at this step until your puppy seems relaxed and shows no signs of stress inside the crate.

3. Step Away Briefly
When your puppy seems comfortable during closed-door sessions, try leaving the room once your puppy is focused on the toy. Listen at the door for whines or barks that tell you your puppy is ready to come out. But at this stage, your pup may surprise you by settling into the crate easily. In fact, if you time your play session, potty break and crate time properly, you might just return to discover a napping puppy in the crate!

4. Work Up to Longer Stays
If your puppy is OK with you stepping away briefly, try increasing the amount of time you step away: one minute, then five minutes, then 10. If your pup remains content inside, try leaving the house for a short period of time. You can set up a camera or baby monitor to check in on them while you’re away.

Here are some simple tips that can help speed the crate training process:

• • • Always give your puppy a potty break before putting them in the crate, and don’t forget to take them outside immediately after letting them out.
    • Don’t crate your puppy for too long. Doing so might force them to soil inside. Your pup’s “hold time” is roughly their age in months translated to hours, which means a 4-month-old puppy can hold it for about four hours (Remember, play and excitement can make your pup need to go out more frequently).
    • Feeding your pup’s meals in their crate with the door open can help to make it a positive spot. If they’re reluctant to eat inside, place the bowls next to the crate for a few meals, then just inside of it, then finally, at the back of the crate.
    • Remember that there’s a difference between “frustration” noises and “I gotta go” noises. If you’ve just returned from a potty trip, a puppy whining in the crate for the first few minutes could likely be from just settling in.
    • The crate should never be used for punishment. Remember, the most important aspect of crate training is ensuring that your pup thinks it’s a fantastic place to hang out!

We hope you found this helpful when it comes to crate training your puppy. If you need any advice, feel free to contact our Customer Care team on 0800 200 240.