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Step 1
Purchase an appropriate-sized crate for the dog at the store.
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Step 2
Set it up at home in a safe, quiet area of the house. (A guest room is ideal so that the door can be shut at times.)
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Step 3
Put a comfortable bed inside the crate so that the dog can lay on it for a long period of time with no problem.
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Step 4
On the first night, coax the animal into the crate with a treat or toy after taking it for a nice long walk. Make sure that encouraging words are being said and the atmosphere is happy. It is best to never make the dog think that being in the crate is a punishment or bad thing.
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Step 5
This is the toughest step and the one that will drive animal lovers crazy. Close the door and exit the room for the night. Make sure to close the door and go to sleep as well. It is important that the rest of the house mimic what is happening in the dog crate.
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Step 6
The dog is going to bark. The important thing is to remain strong. If the dog is taken out early or learns that barking will get them out of the crate, it will never work.
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Step 7
Suffer through the barking as long as possible, as the dog is not likely to quit right away. The important thing is to not go to the dog's aide in any reasonable circumstance. Try to leave the animal in the crate for at least 6 hours.
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Step 8
In the morning maintain that happy tone and remind the animal how good he or she is.
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Step 9
Repeat the same steps over and over again until the animal does not bark anymore. Make sure to always call the crate the same thing (bed, crate, etc.) so that the animal knows what is being talked about. Eventually the animal will know to go in at night when everyone in the house is preparing to go to sleep.
