5 Steps to Crate Training Your Dog

We recommend to “Train for the Future”!  Your puppy may not love the crate now but with patience, baby steps & consistency, they will learn to love their private little space.  Crate training helps reduce their stress when at the vet, crated in the car, at the groomers, or any other time they may need to be in a  crate in their lifetime!

Crate Rules—never punish by using the crate, never let them out if they are barking or whining, wait until they are quiet.  Teach family members that when your pup has retreated to their crate, it is their way of saying they need some quiet time!  Don’t intrude!  Use the crate when you cannot directly supervise your pup, it is their crate time!  This speeds up potty training & keeps them out of harm’s way!

Steps to Crate Training:

Step 1-Feed them in their crate!  Give them special activity treats in there, make it positive!

Step 2-Start to close the door for short periods.

Step 3-Lengthen the time your pup stays in their crate, start wandering out of sight, and give them something special to distract them while passing the time.

Step 4-Do not be emotional about crating your puppy.  If you are anxious, they will be too!

Step 5-When you return to let them out, stay calm, get them out to potty and then you can greet them & give them attention.