How To Crate Train Your Puppy

When you get a puppy, a large chunk of your life becomes dedicated to making sure your new furry friend is well behaved. After all, they are adorable agents of chaos and will destroy your home if given the opportunity. 

Some aspects of training your puppy are more difficult than others. For instance, some pup parents have a hard time crate-training their furry friends. To make your life a little easier, here are some ways to successfully crate train your puppy. 

Purchase a Crate Suitable For Your Furry Friend 

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Crates are not one size fits all, meaning you will have to shop around for a bit. While speaking to the American Kennel Club, professional dog trainer Anna Flayton shared that pup parents should buy “one that’s durable, comfortable, and flexible with whatever training you’re doing.”

“Depending on how big your dog is going to get, buy the right crate for their adult size. Then get a divider so you can build the space and grant them more and more space,” stated Flayton. 

Put The Crate In An Area Where Your Family Gathers 

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Dogs want to be with their owners 24/7. For this reason, they will be less likely to enjoy their crate if it is in an isolated space. To ensure that your furry friend does not feel lonely, put their crate in one of the rooms where your family gathers.

Give Your Pooch Some Treats 

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Puppies are food motivated, much like myself. Once you purchase the crate, encourage your pup to go inside while plying them with treats. Feel free to shut the door as you give Fido something delicious. This way your furry friend associated the crate with a tasty time. 

Keep It Short 

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Keep the sessions short when you first begin crate training your furry friend. Puppies from the age of 11 to 14 weeks should only stay in their crate for under an hour.

Make It Fun 

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You should not punish your puppy by putting him in the crate, as he will develop a negative association. Instead, make crate time fun by giving your pup an interactive toy while he is inside. Also, be sure to give your canine companion plenty of well-deserved praise.