Does your dog love her crate? If she doesn’t, don’t worry… she’ll let you know.
Make your dog’s crate her sanctuary, and she’ll be less likely to have separation anxiety and potty issues.
Make it her prison, and you’ll hear about it all night long. “Awooooo! Arf arf arf!!”
If you want your dog to sleep peacefully in her crate through the night and when you’re not home, you’ll need to make sure she loves her crate, and condition her to go into “relax mode” when she steps inside.
This post is sponsored by Carlson Pet. I was compensated and received the pictured crate in exchange for a feature – though I only collaborate with brands that I love and recommend! Thanks for your support.
The Perfect Crate Setup
Many crates come with a removable barrier. Some puppies will pee on one side of the crate, then sleep on the dry side.
I’ve personally had crates like this, and never found the barrier useful.
Though Matilda was a tiny puppy, dwarfed by a crate that was very similar to the one pictured in this post, I feel she had a better time adjusting to her crate because it was roomy. She loves to stretch out. Since I’m a stay-at-home freelance writer, I never left her alone in the crate long enough for her to have an accident inside.
All puppies are different. Some might be more likely to pee in their crate than Matilda. I feel that if the puppy does not get desperate inside it, it’s unlikely that they will pee in it, even if it’s large.
You can make the crate less roomy while cozying it up by filling it with pillows, toys or a bed. However, the soft surfaces may cause your puppy to pee inside it, or they may shred the pillows.
The truth is, there is no perfect crate setup. Some puppies do well in an empty crate, while others can handle bedding without being destructive. Some like having a blanket draped over to block drafts.
The only thing you should NEVER put in a crate? A puppy pad. Once the puppy sees the crate as their bathroom, it’ll be difficult to change that.
There’s a crate that’s sectioned off so you can place a pad inside, but I’m personally not a fan. I wouldn’t want to sleep next to a smelly pad. Even so, many puppies are successfully trained with that system, so it just goes to show that there’s many ways to raise a happy, potty-trained puppy.
Why Most Puppies Hate Their Crate
Many people approach crate training the wrong way, or worse, don’t train their puppies to enjoy them at all. The crate becomes a convenient containing system, or even a puppy prison – not a private sanctuary where your puppy will be safe from chewing on cords, household cleaners and other dangerous items.
Leave that crate open most of the time so your dog can come and go as she pleases… and welcome surprise visitors!
As often as possible, the door to the crate should be open. Practice locking your puppy in the crate in very short, pleasant sessions.
This means that you shouldn’t lock your puppy up at night until they are crate trained. Most people do this on the puppy’s first night home, then wonder why their puppy screams and cries all night.
Young puppies spend the first few weeks of their lives constantly snuggled up with their mother and siblings. Being left alone in the dark, locked in a crate, is the scariest thing that could happen to them.
It’s tough to crate train and potty train your puppy at the same time. I understand why most people lock up their puppy too long, too early – their schedule does not allow them to always attend the pup, or they can’t seem to turn around without their puppy having an accident. You will have to prioritize. It’s better for your puppy to have a few accidents now, than to have them never learn to be calm in a crate.
That’s why pet gates are so important. They give your puppy a safe place to play and relax without having accidents or destructive chewing. You can choose if you want to keep a puppy pad in your gated area. For small puppies like Chihuahuas, especially in the winter, it can be incredibly difficult to take them out 10 times a day. It’s better to have puppy pads for a while than to get your puppy into a habit of having accidents. You can always transition off puppy pads later, or train your dog to go outside and use pads.
Should You Feed Your Puppy In Her Crate?
Placing your dog’s food bowls inside their crate during mealtime is practical for a few reasons.
For one thing, it can help prevent accidents in the crate. Most animals do not relieve themselves where they eat. If your puppy has been peeing or pooping in their crate, spray it down with an enzyme cleaner to make sure there’s no trace of the scent lingering. Place the bowl in the crate during meals, then remove it so your puppy will have plenty of room to relax inside with that full puppy belly.
Many people continue to feed their dog in the crate for the dog’s entire life. If you have multiple dogs, it’s normal for them to growl or even become aggressive if they are not given enough space at mealtimes. That’s just how dogs communicate, but it can result in a potentially fatal fight. Feed your dogs in separate crates, and they won’t feel the need to be protective.
Raw feeders often feed meals in crates to contain the mess. It’s easy to remove the bottom tray and disinfect it after each meal.
Matilda spent 20 minutes working on this tough piece of chicken foot without Cow trying to steal it.
I like to give Matilda raw chicken feet as a snack to clean her teeth. She’s a princess, so she’ll only eat them if I chop the toes off for her. Rather than letting her drag raw chicken toes around the house, I let her chomp away in her crate, with no worries of Cow bullying her out of her snack.
Leave the water bowl out of the crate. It’ll just create puddles.
Play Crate Games
When playing hide and seek with your puppy, ask her to “stay” in the crate while you hide. After a few turns, she’ll run to the crate for the next round!
I taught Matilda to open the crate with her paw by leaving a treat inside and closing (not locking) the door. She quickly figured out how to open it, and I imagine it did wonders for her self-confidence. She’s such a show-off!
Tuck Her In
The average puppy doesn’t take long to tire out. A few minutes of tug ensures that your puppy will be tired enough to settle into the crate.
Sit in front of the open door and cover her with a blanket. Talk softly to her while you stroke her back.
After a day of playing, getting treats and taking short breaks inside her crate, with any luck, your puppy will be ready to sleep soundly through the night.
Need a wire crate your pup will love? Shop Carlson Pet, they’ve got traditional, double-door and pink and blue wire crates!
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She also uses her pet copywriting business to make sure the best pet products and services get found online through catchy copy and fun, informative blog posts. She also provides product description writing services for ecommerce companies.
As a dog mom to Matilda and Cow, she spends most of her days taking long walks and practicing new tricks, and most nights trying to make the best of a very modest portion of her bed.
You'll also find her baking bread and making homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.
What a great post anyone who doesn’t have any idea where to start with a puppy or a dog not used to crates. As a cat person I would NOT know the first thing, so having guidance is vital. People don’t think when they sup up a puppy do they??
Your post will ensure happy dogs and happy (and well rested) owners!
Dash Kitten Crew recently posted…New Year New Hopes New Dreams Sunday Selfie 2017
Great tips! Another one that I like to use is give the pet a treat he ONLY gets in the crate (like a stuffed Kong)–show the pup the treat, toss it inside. Then lock the crate door with the pup OUTSIDE and the treat INSIDE. When the pup begs to go in for the treat, it’s that much more rewarding because the dog has asked to go in–and then self-rewarded with the treat.
Those look like my dog’s TO-DO list! LOL!
Woops, don’t know why that went through, you can delete–it was an error. Sorry.
I am a firm believer in crate training. How it’s done is so important to how your dog or puppy will react to it. I’ve never used a crate as a punishment, but taught my dogs from the start that it is a place that;s comfy and cozy and somewhere they can go to relax – just like our own bed! Edie still loves sleeping in her crate and she is 6.
I must say I am very impressed that Matilda was able to open the gate on her own!
Wow – very great, Matilda looks very calm and assured when in the crate. That is something that all pet parents can strive for – remembering it’s their sanctuary, not a place to locate a pup/kitty when they are a wee bit out of hand. Love that you give treats in the crate – that likely truly cements it as ‘good place!’
Rebecca at MattieDog recently posted…How To Care For Your Mental Health In The New Year
I’m a big fan of crates, especially for both puppies and new dogs. I used a crate with both my dogs & my foster dogs. I think of the crate as their “bedroom”, with their favorite things in it; toys, blankets, chew bone, etc. Do this & they’ll love their crate!
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Cathy Armato recently posted…Bring On The New Year!
I have never used a crate, never knew what a crate was till I got to the States LOL, and I personally don’t think I would but that is my personal opinion. Layla does have an indoor wooden kennel with no doors that she goes into when she wants to.
I love that donut pillow! Kilo loves his crate, I call it his “house”. It’s the perfect place for him if he gets overwhelmed and needs a quiet place to rest.
I’m a big proponent of crate training. Thanks for writing such an informative article on the subject! I love the crate games. I actually have done this a lot with mine and a few dogs over the years have learned to let themselves out of their crates! LOL Oops! 😀 Crate training doesn’t have to be a chore. You made it fun and that’s what people should see–that it can be fun!
Great tips! Crate training is so important. I love the video. Matilda is adorable!
Tonya Wilhelm recently posted…Connect With Loved Ones Daily: Daily Connection Jar
Never thought about putting a puppy pad in a crate as an association with the bathroom, but it makes sense.
Sweet Purrfections recently posted…Wordless Wednesday
My Echo loves his crate! I fed him all his meals in there and kept lots of toys in there for him to play with. I also put a blanket over the outside to help it feel more like a den.
All three of my dogs love their crates! Even though they are middle aged, we still use them when we aren’t home to keep them safe. They each know which crate to get in when we say “crate,” but they like to spend time in each others’ crates during the day.
Mr. N is not great in the crate. He has separation anxiety so we’re trying to work through that first.
Tenacious Little Terrier recently posted…In Need of a Friend
This is such an important training tool for people. Making the crate a positive experience from the beginning can be the difference between success with the crate, or not.
Sadie recently posted…DAWGS IN PRISON
These are awesome tips. Simba has never really had a problem being in his crate thankfully. It’s like his little safe place that he goes into on his own.
Kia recently posted…New Year, New Goals!
If anyone ever asks I’ll know where to point them to on crate training. Our home is a crate free one but we did use a lot of these techniques to get the wee one use to his airline approved carrier.
What a great post. I hope more pet parents realize how useful it can be to have your puppy crate trained. Fantastic tips!!
Malaika Fernandes recently posted…A Dog’s New Year Resolution
So I put my puppy in his crate the frist night I got him, so are you saying I shouldnt do that and have him sleep with me? Than through the day do crate training?
If that was what’s best for you and him, especially if he’s already fine with sleeping in a crate, I think you should continue that, but if you’d like to try having him sleep with you, that’s fine too – there’s really no wrong way to do it!
Lindsay Pevny recently posted…Case Study: 126,814 Pageviews In Dog Breed Cartoon’s First Year
I think giving food to your dog in the crate can be the best option to make your dog love the crate. And, playing crate games inside the crate can make him love the crate very soon.
Coral Drake recently posted…Walk Your Dog: How Often, How Long, How Far? – Dos and Don’ts
I thought a good sleep leads a well day. A well sleep depends on some technique or used instruments. By following your blog, a good explanation on sleeping position and remove back pain. A research says that knee pillow is the best instrument for better sleep.