How to Crate Train a New Puppy in a Positive Way

Crate training a new puppy is one of the most important things to teach as early as possible. Once a puppy gets used to the crate, or kennel, it can become a place of refuge for your pet. Training your dog to feel comfortable in his new bed in a positive way will make him a happier, more confident animal. With patience and consistency you will be able to crate train a new puppy so that he truly feels at home with the surroundings.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start young. The younger a dog is the easier it is to teach them how to be comfortable and secure in their crate. Older dogs tend to be more set in their ways and can find it difficult to adjust from sleeping where ever they want to a more confined bed.

2. 
   Photo by: Hanna Zabielska

   Choose the right crate. Make sure that the kennel you choose for your dog is large enough to accommodate your dog when he is full grown. As a youngster, it may seem like the crate is too big, but your dog will feel more comfortable over the long term if his place of security does not change as he grows. Besides, puppies get restless and will appreciate the extra room to move around.

3. Provide a comfortable bed within the crate. When crate training a new puppy, you want them to feel safe and secure in their bed. One way to do this is to provide a soft and comfortable place for them to rest. It could be a dog bed or a favorite blanket or both.

4. 
   Photo by: Tim & Annette

   Be consistent. The most important thing when training a new puppy to sleep in a kennel is to be consistent. Each night, give a gentle but firm, "Kennel" command and send the puppy into the crate for bed. At first, he will tend to whine to get your attention, but after a few nights he will learn that the crate is the proper place for bedtime. He will soon feel safe and secure in his bed and may choose to go there to nap or be left alone.

Tips & Warnings

• Especially when crate training a new puppy, always make the kennel available at any time. If it becomes a place where he feels safe, he will choose to go into the crate, even when it is not bed time.
• Use a fan in the bedroom to keep the whining from bothering your sleep. The puppy should stop whining within a few days.
• Accidents happen. At first, you may want to line the bottom of the crate with potty training pads for easier clean up.
• Never use the kennel as a punishment. Sending a dog to his crate as a form of punishment will evoke negative feelings towards the crate and it will no longer be a place he feels secure in.

Resources

• Quick & Easy Crate Training
• Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies & Adult Dogs!
• Midwest iCrate Double-Door Home Training and Travel Series

[tracysmith159]

on 5/28/2009 Good article on how to train a puppy in a positive way.

[gahazeleyes]

on 5/28/2009 Thanks. Well written.

[kerrylf]

on 5/27/2009 Good info, thanks.