Protect your pet with insurance. Cover accidents, illnesses, and more. Compare Plans with Petplace

Why crate train

  • Provides a safe space

    The crate is a place your dog can retreat to if they're feeling overwhelmed or need to be alone.

  • Comfortable travel

    Offering your dog a familiar space when traveling can help them feel comfortable, faster.

  • House training

    Crate training can be effective for house training because it helps establish a den-like space for your dog, promoting their natural instinct to keep their sleeping area clean.

  • Emergency preparedness

    If you are ever in an emergency and need to stay in a shelter, you will likely be required to put your dog in a crate your dog.

Crate Training - Level 1

Objective

The objective of level 1 is to establish the crate as a happy place for your dog. 

Follow these steps when practicing level 1

• Open the crate door and toss a handful of treats inside 

• Do this daily for 1-week, allowing your dog to explore the crate on their own 

• Once your dog is going in and out of the crate comfortably, start feeding your dog their meals in the crate 

• Always leave the door open 

• You want your dog to start associating the crate with good things, like dinner!

Pro tips

To fully realize the benefits of crate training, work through the above phases at your dog’s speed and:

• Focus on the way your pup feels when they’re in the crate. You want to ensure you’re creating good feelings about being in the crate. 

• Make the crate a place that your pup can enjoy when you’re home. 

• Never force them to be in the crate or leave the door closed longer than they’re comfortable with. 

• Ensure that the crate is placed in a location that your pup finds calming and comfortable. Avoid areas near doors, windows, or other spots that may overstimulate your pup when they're in the crate.


Crate Training - Level 2

Note: Only move onto level 2 after your dog is comfortably exploring the crate on their own.

Objective

The objective of level 2 is for your dog to start feeling comfortable laying down in the crate with the door open

Follow these steps when practicing level 2

• Open the crate door and toss a handful of treats inside 

• While your dog is eating the treats, grab another handful of treats 

• Once your dog is done eating, use your “Down” cue to get your dog to lie down 

• Slowly feed your dog treats for up to one minute 

• Keep the crate door open


Crate Training - Level 3

Note: Only move onto level 3 after your dog is comfortable lying down in the crate with the door open

Objective

The objective of level 3 is to close the door to the crate and increase the amount of time the crate door is closed over time

Follow these steps when practicing level 3

• Open the crate door and see if your dog will go inside 

• If your dog needs an incentive, drop a few treats in the crate 

• Once your dog is in the crate and has eaten the treats, use your “Down” cue to get them to lie down 

• From here, place a treat between their paws and close the door for one second 

• Immediately open the door, give your dog another treat, and leave the door open for 10 seconds 

• Repeat the exercise 5-10 times 

• With practice, and as your dog becomes more comfortable, you can increase the amount of time the crate door is closed


Example

Products we love

• Wire dog crate. We prefer wire crates because they generally have better ventilation, visibility, and air circulation vs crates with lids, making them suitable for warmer climates and dogs that may be prone to overheating or anxiety.

• Lamb lung. Dogs love these and they're perfect because they're very small.