Crate Training a Puppy

A crate is a bedroom, not a jail. Used right, it gives a puppy a safe place to rest — and makes house training easier.

Two dogs resting beside a dog crate in a park — A crate should feel like a safe den, never a punishment.

Pick the right size

Big enough to stand, turn around, and lie down flat. Not bigger: extra room becomes a toilet corner, which defeats the purpose. For a growing puppy, use a crate with a divider panel so the space grows with the dog.

Make it a good place first

Leave the door open and let the puppy explore. Feed meals inside, toss treats in, and add soft bedding. Never push or force the puppy in. Why patience pays: a puppy that chooses the crate will settle there happily; a puppy shoved in will fight it.

Build up slowly

Close the door for a few seconds while you stay nearby, then open it again. Stretch the time over days, and start leaving the room for brief moments. If the puppy panics, go back to shorter sessions. If panic in the crate keeps happening, see Separation Anxiety in Dogs — the problem may be distress, not the crate itself.

Nights and naps

Brown poodle puppy sleeping peacefully indoors — The goal: a puppy that settles and sleeps soundly in its crate.

Keep the crate near your bed at first. Puppies need many naps, and the crate helps enforce rest they would not take on their own. Expect night toilet trips for young puppies: take the puppy out quietly, no play, straight back to the crate.

How the crate helps house training

Puppies avoid soiling their sleeping area, so the crate makes the schedule easier: a puppy that just slept will need to go the moment it comes out. Pair crate time with the routine in How to Potty Train a Puppy, and accidents drop fast.

What not to do

Never use the crate as punishment, or the puppy will hate it. Never leave a young puppy crated for hours on end: puppies need toilet breaks, play, and company. And never crate a distressed puppy to force it to settle — that teaches fear of the crate, not calm.

Next steps: How to Potty Train a Puppy and Separation Anxiety in Dogs.

Not veterinary advice: This guide is general information for healthy puppies. If your puppy is sick, in pain, or suddenly behaves very differently, see a veterinarian.

Want the full guide? The New Puppy Training Guide covers potty training, crate training, socialization, and more — $9.99.