“Thanks for building my den - I feel safe in here. I can’t wait to sleep in it!”
Yay, my spot to sleep and wind down
How to crate train your dog
Crate Training - Our Lifesaver
Jump to “Crate Training Prep” and “Crate Training Steps” piece of this page if you have already decided to crate train.
We always knew we wanted to crate train from the research online, and based on guidance from all of our dog friends and neighbors. Naturally, dogs are den animals (like many other animals). If you’re on the fence on crate training, take a look at why we suggest it.
Expedites potty training - Dogs don’t want to pee where they sleep and will do their best to hold any pee/poo
Creates a safe space - This is their home. We always keep the door open so he has the option to enter leave any time when not crate training. He usually goes in when the TV is on, or when he wants to be cuddled in his blankets and toys.
Instill quiet time - Sometimes puppies just play all day, and refuse to sleep. Or, your friends are too loud in one room and they can’t sleep. Crates will give them a chance and place to sleep peacefully.
Reduces separation anxiety and teaches independence - When done properly, this reduces separation anxiety.
Protect furniture and shoes - If you give your dog hard chew toys while in crate, they won’t have the chance to chew on furniture or shoes. Click for learn "off" and "drop it".
Better safe than sorry - Going to the grocery store for 15 minutes? Going to the restaurant? Until you know your dog will not chew on things or pee/poo where they aren’t supposed to, the crate will keep them safe.
Creates consistency - When we travel to a hotel or AirBnB, we bring his crate (ours is collapsible). This way, when we go on trips, he knows where to sleep, and goes in naturally. Plus, you want to respect the hotel and other people’s homes.
Barks purposefully - Your dog will learn to bark when inside the crate when it really needs to go outside.
Many people choose to stop crate training once they are about 2 years old, or when they know their dog will not misbehave. We are not here there yet, but definitely open to this when Brioche is older!
Crate Training Prep
Prepare mentally
Crate training takes time and patience - don’t expect it to happen over night
Never use crate as a punishment - remember, you want them to like it
Find the right crate and size
Recommend wire crates. If your dog likes to be in the dark, put a blanket over it. If not, leave it open!
Buy a wire crate with a divider so your puppy can grow into the crate, rather than buying many new crates. If your dog is already full size, you don’t need the divider.
Measure your dog with sewing measuring tape (or string/shoelace with tape measure). Add 2-4 inches to the height when your dog is sitting and length when your dog is standing.
Get a crate with a divider so your puppy can grow into it (not needed for fully grown dogs). If the crate is too big, your dog will be able to pee/poo and be ok with it to begin.
With or without divider, your dog should be able to sit up, turn around, and curl up comfortably.
Create a comfy crate space
If you just got your puppy, place the crate in the bedroom at night for the first week or two since they are still adapting to being away from their family.
During the day, put your crate in a space that makes them feel included in the family, such as the corner in living room.
Add blankets and their favorite hard chew toys in the crate. They can have plushes in there when you have an eye on them - otherwise, it may be a chocking hazard.
Keep a shirt in the crate if your dog gets very anxious when you leave. The scent reminds them of you and comforts them.
Keep your dog “Naked”
Remove collars, bandanas, harnesses when your dog is hanging in the crate. Otherwise it can be dangerous if something snags on the crate and they are stuck.
Remove any toys with thread, rope, or squeakers
Keep only hard chew toys and dog beds/blankets in the crate.
Crate Training Steps
Introduce the Crate - keep the door open
Start praising and reward your dog when it is curious and goes inside the crate
Start slow by throwing toys in, or kibble - do not force entry!
Feed meals in the crate - this helps them associate the crate with something positive
Play Crate Games
Always praise when your pup or dog goes inside the crate. Show a ton of excitement, cheer, say “yay!!!”
Start slow by throwing toys or kibble into the crate. You can even hide treats when they aren’t focused on the crate, so if they do find them, they will associated it with positive things.
When dog is inside the crate, drop toys, kibble, or treats from a closed off side
Keep sessions short - increase time gradually
When your dog seems to enjoy the crate, move on to Step 3.
Advance to Closing the Crate Door
Continue feeding meals in crate from Step 1
Continue everything in Step 2 - remember to reward and show excitement!
Close the door when your dog is inside, but don’t leave!
Open the door, and repeat - you want them to know they aren’t stuck in the crate if the door is closed
When your dog is comfortable with the door closed, move on to Step 4.
Step and Look Away (crate should be locked)
When your dog is inside the locked crate, and step and look away (not too far yet).
Ignore your dog when it barks, whines, or cries - giving it attention will only encourage more unwanted behavior. This is painful but CRITICAL.
When your dog is COMPLETELY quiet (be patient, this could take a while), go back, open the crate, and reward / praise a ton.
When your dog stays quiet when you step away, and is consistent for a few days, move onto Step 5.
Step out of Sight (remain in the home)
Put your dog inside the locked crate, and go into the bathroom or bedroom - not too far. Feel free to give a safe distraction, like a frozen Kong toy stuffed with some peanut butter or yogurt
Again, ignore your dog when it barks, whines, or cries
Start testing your dog by leaving for just 30 seconds or 1 minute. If your dog is behaving well, increase the time to 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.
Return into sight when they have been good!
Reward after you let them out every time. Sometimes, a really excited “good boy!!!” will work if you don’t want to continue giving treats.
When your dog is ok with you being in other rooms, even if it is for just 5 minutes, move onto Step 6.
Step out of the House
Put your dog inside the locked crate, and again, feel free to give them some sort of safe distraction
Go just outside your door for a few minutes and listen for any barking (an indoor camera works well to visually monitor your dog when you’re not inside)
Return back inside and reward!
Gradually increase the time outside from a few minutes to 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.
And that’s it! Congrats!
General Things
Teach your dog to “go home”. It’s great to get your dog excited to home. Plus, they learn that you won’t always leave if they go inside the crate.
Do not put your dog in a crate for too long. An hour for every month old they are is the general rule of thumb
Eventually, you may see your dog going into its crate on its own just to sleep or relax.
During the day, we usually keep the door open so he is free to roam in and out any time
We hide treats inside, and give him his nightly snack inside his crate. Again, this creates positive association with the crate
Remember, never pay attention to the dog when its barking, crying, or whining just to get out of the crate